Facility Master Plan

Why We’re Growing

We’re committed to providing high-quality care for our community – now and in the future. As healthcare needs evolve, we strive to grow with them. This building project will allow us to improve services, modernize facilities, and continue offering the exceptional care our patients deserve.

Key Improvements

As we move forward, key areas you’ll see renovated include:

  • Emergency Department – including updated spaces, enlarged ambulance garage, and better workflows
  • Med/Surg Inpatient Unit – including modern, personalized patient rooms with in-room showers
  • Pharmacy – including expanded space to prepare specialized medications and new retail pharmacy
  • Radiology – including renovated space to support advanced technology, including new on-site MRI
  • …and more!

Project Timeline and Current Phase

We are currently in the Schematic Design Phase, an important step in turning our vision into reality. In this phase, teams are collaborating with architects to determine final room locations, design department layouts, and ensure staff workflows are efficient and well-coordinated. This thoughtful planning helps create spaces that support both excellent patient care and a strong working environment for our staff. Updates will be shared regularly so you can follow our progress.

Supporting The Project Through Our Capital Campaign

This important project is being supported in part through a community-wide Capital Campaign. Generous gifts from individuals, families, and local businesses help make these improvements possible while ensuring we remain financially responsible and focused on long-term sustainability.

Every contribution, large or small, directly supports enhancements that improve patient care, strengthen safety, and modernize our facility for the future. Together, we are investing in healthcare close to home and ensuring that Lucas County Health Center continues to serve our community for generations to come.

We invite you to be part of this important investment in the future of healthcare for our community. Simply click the Donate button to make a secure online gift. If you would rather give by check, donations can be mailed to the address below. Your generosity helps us enhance patient care, improve our facilities, and ensure quality healthcare remains close to home for years to come.

Mail checks to:
Lucas County Health Center Foundation
1200 North 7th Street
Chariton, IA 50049

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

As we move forward with our building project, we are committed to keeping our community informed every step of the way. From construction updates and entrance changes to temporary closures and progress milestones, you’ll find the information right here. Want updates delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our E-newsletter and stay connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you may have questions about our building project. From timelines to impacts on services, this section will address the most common topics. As we move forward, we will continue to add to the list to keep you informed.

Will my taxes be raised for this project?
No, Lucas County residents will not have their taxes impacted by this project. LCHC is funding the Facility Master Plan through a combination of private donations, internal funds, and USDA low-interest loans. We are committed to improving our facility in a fiscally responsible way that does not place any additional burden on local taxpayers.

What departments will be impacted by this project?
While the entire hospital will be impacted in some way, the major areas of focus for this project include: Med/Surg inpatient rooms, Emergency Department, and Pharmacy. These areas were identified as priorities to enhance patient care, improve workflow, and better support the needs of our community.

Will staff need to relocate during the project?
All patient care areas will remain on-site throughout the project, though some workflows or locations may temporarily change during construction. Our top priority is minimizing the impact on patient care. To help create space and flexibility during the renovation, most administrative and office areas will be relocated off-site for the duration of the project.

Will I have to drive to another town for appointments during construction?
No, you will not need to leave town for care. We will continue to offer services locally throughout the construction process. While some entrances or hallways may temporarily change, our team is committed to minimizing disruptions and ensuring patients continue to receive high-quality care. Your health and convenience remain our top priority during every phase of the project.

Will this increase cost of services at Lucas County Health Center?
No, we are committed to providing quality, affordable care to our community.

What's wrong with the current building?
Our current building has a number of critical concerns that need to be addressed, many of which come with a high cost. As part of our project, we are working to resolve several challenges that impact the safety, efficiency, and comfort of our patients and staff. These include a non-functioning elevator, an outdated HVAC system, and aging infrastructure – particularly in the oldest areas of our facility. We also lack a pharmaceutical hood, which prevents us from mixing certain medications on-site and requires outsourcing. Additionally, many departments are undersized or have poor layouts for current needs. This project will allow us to improve patient flow, enhance safety, and better serve our community – now and into the future.

Renderings

Coming soon!