WCHS's Concepts for Master Facility Plan Receive Feedback

Winnebago, NE – Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System (WCHS) has created the initial concepts of a Master Facility Plan and is hosting focus groups to explain the plan and solicitate feedback.  

 

There are a plethora of chronic illnesses and other social determinants of health that plague Indigenous communities nationwide. According to WCHS’s 2024 community health assessment, chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, addictions, cancer, anxiety, and hypertension are well above national averages, and the lifespan is 20 years below national averages. Armed with the knowledge of these realities, WCHS believes to significantly change the health outcomes for generations to come, they must significantly change the health system.  

 

“With the support of our leadership team and board, we have a physical facility plan that is intentionally designed to support us as we continue to create a health system that emphasizes, expands, and optimizes the processes and services that we know will improve population health.” explains David Edwards. “The question we have for you is- do you think we are going in the right direction?” 

 

The goal of this project is to design and construct a healthcare space that increases wellness capacity, supports a team-based and patient-centered approach to primary care, and updates acute care facilities to accommodate the highest standard of care. Altogether the Master Facility Plan includes improvements to physical space, processes, and culture. This plan in combination with other strategic initiatives is designed to streamline operations and deliver superior outcomes. The new facilities and operational practices will thoughtfully incorporate Winnebago culture and indigenous healing practices that can lead to better health outcomes and a more holistic approach to care.  

 

“By centralizing and expanding our preventive and primary care services, we support our mission by making healthy choices simpler and more accessible to our relatives,” explained Sharron Frenchman, WCHS Chief Administration Officer. 

 

WCHS’s Master Facility plan is in the conceptual planning process right now and they are reaching out to their employees, patients, and community members to better grasp the specific needs of the community and plan accordingly. They have hosted and are hosting a variety of employee-focused and public concept discussions to answer questions, gather feedback, and insights from all stakeholders before they begin flushing out further details within the next year. Next discussion events will be held: