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Fort Madison Community Hospital Anniversary

Jason Parrott's guest on Emphasis is Fort Madison Community Hospital CEO Jim Platt.

They talk about the hospital's 25th anniversary at its current location along Highway 61 on the city's west side.

The complex has more than doubled in size over the last quarter century with the list of expansions including an urgent care facility, a medical clinic, a women's enter, a wound center and an outpatient rehab center.

Platt says it is actually one of the smallest projects, though, that stands out to him.

We are... an anomoly because we have done really well

"For years, the one thing (FMCH) wanted to have, but did not have the space, was a chapel," says Platt.  "Through the generosity of the (hospital's) foundation, they provided the funds for us to create a small chapel right in the middle of the hospital."

The chapel at FMCH

Platt says the chapel is not just for patients and their families.  It is for his staff, who deal with a lot on a daily basis.

Platt says one of the reasons why FMCH has been able to expand on a regular basis is because its financial outlook is strong.

"We are... an anomoly because we have done really well," says Platt.  "Last year (2012) was one of our best years, financially-speaking."

He says FMCH does not let the regulations put them down, but rather they do what they can with what they have.
 

Platt says the biggest challenges facing FMCH are dealing with regulations out of Des Moines and Washington D.C.

"You can count on government never making a quick decision."

Platt says the health care industry supports Medicaid expansion.

He says the reasons include more funding for mental health care and for patient care.

FMCH has 450 employees, including 26 physicians and allied health care professionals.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.