Aurora Medical Center-Fond du Lac opens to patients after completion of expansion. Here's what's new.

FOND DU LAC – After two years of construction, Aurora Medical Center-Fond du Lac, 210 Wisconsin American Drive, opened to patient care May 6.

Meant to support convenient local access to quality health care, the expansion was first announced in 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, construction was delayed until 2022.

To celebrate the finished additions, the center invited hundreds of community members to tour the space, meet the staff and participate in medical screenings and other family-friendly activities.

Here's a look at what's new on Fond du Lac's east side.

Expansion added 70,000 square feet and an emergency department

The expansion included a 70,000 square-foot building addition, making the facility 185,000 total square feet, and one of the biggest additions was an eight-bay emergency department.

Ten new overnight stay beds will support patients needing orthopedic, general and abdominal surgeries, as will an operating and recovery area.

Additionally, there is new diagnostics and lab space as well as a pharmacy.

"This facility will help residents live well by increasing access to care close to home, providing more health and wellness resources, and encouraging sustainability in the community," President of North Wisconsin Area and the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac centers Jeff Bard said. "We have a steadfast commitment to remain locally engaged, regionally concentrated and nationally influential."

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Facility supports almost 30 specialties, including outpatient surgery

More than 65 clinicians will represent 28 medical specialties, from inpatient and outpatient surgery to urgent care and physical therapy.

The center will also partner with Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh, a more advanced facility that will continue to take care of sub-specialty procedures, including labor and delivery, cardiac catherization and stroke interventional procedures.

'Food forest' symbolizes Aurora's growth alongside the community

At the open house, hospital leaders and Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore participated in a planting ceremony in the hospital's "food forest" to represent the growth of Aurora's services alongside the growing Fond du Lac community, according to a news release from the center.

The food forest will grow fresh produce, and by the summer months, patients and visitors will be able to grab a cucumber or a tomato on their way out.

Hospital teammates can also enjoy the fresh produce while getting some fresh air during their breaks.

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Aurora's presence in Fond du Lac started with a clinic in 1995

Aurora Health Care — then known as Aurora Medical Group — opened its first Fond du Lac clinic on Portland Street in 1995. Six local physicians offered primary care services in the clinic's early days, contributing to what was then the largest non-profit health care system in Wisconsin, according to The Reporter archives.

The clinic at the hospital's current site on Wisconsin American Drive opened in 1998, a 105,000-square-foot facility that supported twice as many physicians offering surgery, diagnostics, labs and a dialysis center, as well as a walk-in clinic and occupational health services.

An open house a few months after the clinic opened had appearances from a magician, Green Bay Packers kicker Ryan Longwell autographing mini footballs and Aurora's lion mascot Dr. A-Roar-A taking photos with children.

Now, Aurora Medical Center-Fond du Lac marks a new era to its growing services in the area.

"I couldn’t be happier as we begin offering more care to the community right here, right now," Chief Medical Officer of the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac centers Carla Kelly said. "Together, our team here at Aurora Medical Center-Fond du Lac will serve the county’s current and future generations, keeping the community healthy for years to come."

For more about Aurora Health Care and the new hospital, visit aurorahealthcare.org.

Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Aurora Medical Center-Fond du Lac opens to patients after expansion