Advocate Aurora Health to Expand Hospital Complex in Racine County

By Roxanne Squires

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. —­­ Advocate Aurora Health will expand its hospital complex to deliver high-quality healthcare to Racine County in a region identified as one of the fastest growing areas in Wisconsin and the nation.

A 96-acre site in the flourishing corridor of Mount Pleasant was acquired with the objective to build a hospital, two clinics and a medical office building as a $250 million project — matching the organization’s strong established primary and specialty physician presence within the region.

“We look forward to serving this rapidly growing community by ensuring consumers have access to the right care at the right time in the right setting,” said President and CEO of Advocate Aurora Health Nick Turkal, MD, in a statement. “Thanks to the vision of our Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team and clinical leaders, we are building for the future of how consumers want to experience health, whether it be in an ambulatory setting, hospital or from the palm of your hand.

The new facility will include a full range of emergency and inpatient services. The proposal also calls for two additional primary care clinics in addition to the new hospital’s medical office building that together will offer a variety of primary and specialty physician services and online access to serve area residents’ and employers’ growing need for quality, affordable care.

“Growth in the Racine County corridor provides an immediate opportunity for Advocate Aurora Health to accelerate our population health efforts to deliver greater value for the communities and employers we are privileged to serve,” said Jim Skogsbergh, president and CEO, Advocate Aurora Health, in a statement. “We’ll bridge the gap in services and leverage our two legacy systems’ clinical expertise and fully integrated delivery models in the surrounding area.”

According to the organization’s website, Advocate Aurora Health is the 10th largest not-for-profit, integrated health system in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees, including more than 22,000 nurses and the region’s largest employed medical staff and home health organization. Aurora Health Center offers comprehensive care with expert treatment close to home, including children’s health, women’s health, urgent care, specialty care, surgery and more.

Construction is scheduled to begin late 2018 and is anticipated to open 2021.