Memorial Hospital of Lafayette CountyMemorial Hospital of Lafayette County is located in Darlington, Wisconsin, 40 miles northwest of Dubuque, Iowa, and the Mississippi River and 60 miles southwest of Madison, Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin. Five colleges and universities and two vocational-technical schools are located within one hours travel time of Darlington, the county seat. Major shopping centers are also located less than one hour away, along with airports, and the other amenities of major metropolitan areas.
The population of Lafayette County is 16,137. The dairy industry, and agriculture related businesses represent the area’s main industry. Next in order of size is a small automotive parts manufacturer, motors, and industrial equipment, the school systems, small businesses, county government, the hospital and other health care institutions.
Lafayette County has become a popular place for people to visit and reside. The terrain is very scenic, with hills and valleys, lakes and trees and natural flora abundant. The area features churches of many denominations, an excellent school system, clean air, a natural environment, and a low crime rate. Recreational activities can be found on several nearby rivers, lakes and on trails which extend throughout and beyond county boundaries. Hunting, fishing canoeing, golf, tennis, softball, volleyball, cross-country skiing, and local theater are popular activities and conveniently available.
Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County is the only hospital in Lafayette County. It is owned and operated by Lafayette County. The hospital is a 25 bed Critical Access hospital and provides medical, surgical, and obstetrical services.
This hospital was recently designated as one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation, and one of the top 200 rural hospitals from a group of 1,295 rural hospitals of fewer than 250 beds, (Modern Healthcare, Dec. 4, 1995).
Finances - Fiscal Year 2001
Patient Revenue $7,912,706
Total Assets 4,496,254
Long-term Debt 1,023,671
Medicare accounted for 55% of total admissions. The average length of stay for all patient was 2.7 days. Outpatient revenue was 64% of total patient revenue.
Memorial Hospital was built in 1950 and expanded in 1964. A new surgical wing and ER were added in 1984, financed entirely through volunteer contributions. An addition for an in-house CT scanner was completed in 1993. In 1998 an addition was completed which houses a new rehab services department, reception area, lobby, admitting, conference area, and front entrance. The outpatient clinic was remodeled resulting in more exam and special procedure rooms. The hospital provides or arranges for such services as CT scanning, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, cardiolyte studies, Persantine studies, laparoscopic surgical procedures, cardiopulmonary testing, EKG, EEG, stress testing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab, respiratory therapy, lens implants, audiology, speech therapy and dietetic counseling.
Outpatient Clinics offered at the hospital include: Outpatient and day care surgery, cardiology, orthopedics, back pain clinic, OB/GYN, urology, general surgery, ophthalmology, audiology, ENT, neurology, and podiatry.
The Community Health and Wellness services department provides services in the community setting including:
- Childbirth Education Classes
- CPR Training
- Elderly Health Clinics
- Women’s Cancer Screening Program
- Weight Loss Classes
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Diabetic Management
- Medical Alerts-Emergency Response System
- Smoking Cessation
- Speakers Bureau & Video Resource Library
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Affiliations:
The hospital arranges clinical rotations for students from the University of Wisconsin and other health care profession schools including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, medical students, and undergraduate nursing students.
Medical Staff:
The medical community includes the Medical Associates Family Practice Clinic(s) staffed by 5 family practice physicians and 2 physician assistants. Medical Associates built a new clinic in Darlington, adjacent to the hospital in 1993. They have 2 satellite practice clinics, one in Argyle (15 miles) and one in Shullsburg (13 miles). Dr. Loganathan Elangovan, an internal medicine/nephrologist is a solo practitioner also located in Darlington. He and the Medical Associates physicians comprise the hospital active medical staff. They maintain excellent relationships with the 48 visiting medical specialists who serve on the consulting medical staff.
Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County maintains close working relationships with other health facilities serving the area. Lafayette manor is a 97 bed skilled nursing facility located 2 blocks from the hospital. The Lafayette County Health department located next to the hospital provides public health, hospice, and community based nursing services. The Lafayette County Human Services Department, and the Lafayette County Commission on Aging collaborate with the hospital on many projects and in daily activities. Executives from each of these agencies participates on a Lafayette County Health Resources Committee which meets monthly to facilitate ongoing communication and effective working relationships.
For additional information or to arrange a visit, write Sherry Kudronowicz, Administrator, Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County, PO Box 70, Darlington, WI 53530 or call (608)776-4466.
Updated: 4/10/02