Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition announces location for MercyOne Clinic

At the entrance to the former Herberger’s inside the Northbridge Mall, the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition recently announced it has reached an agreement with The Carrington Company to purchase the former department store space for the site of a new clinic that it is partnering with MercyOne North Iowa to build and operate.
“Almost two years ago, together with the city of Albert Lea and Freeborn County, we began exploring the feasibility of bringing an alternative health care provider to our community,” stated Brad Arends, chairman of Save Our Healthcare and president of the Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition. “Our outside consultant told us that we would have to accomplish our ultimate goals in stages. Today, with our new partner MercyOne, we mark the beginning of stage one--securing a building for the development of a full-service clinic and out-patient surgery center.”
Arends emphasized that this is an extraordinary opportunity and a pivotal time.
“To execute our business plan there is a lot of work left to be done, and its success hinges on the continued support of our citizenry, business community, and local government. Together we can regain some control of the medical services offered in our community, dramatically reduce the cost of care to our citizens, and eventually restore services that have been stripped from Albert Lea.”
A representative from MercyOne shared Arends’ enthusiasm.
“MercyOne North Iowa is excited to serve the Albert Lea community and we are looking forward to designing the space for the new clinic,” said Teresa Mock, MD, Senior Vice President of MercyOne Medical Group–North Iowa. “In November, we will hold a 3P event, a methodology that allows us to design the space, keeping consumers and processes at the forefront. During the event, we will build a ‘life size’ model of the space out of cardboard. As the space is built, MercyOne will run simulations of patient care scenarios to make sure the space works well for both patients and the clinical staff.”
The 3P will be held Nov. 4-8 with a public open house scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. All are welcome to tour the ‘cardboard clinic’ for a sneak peak of how the new clinic will look. During the open house, the public will have the opportunity to take ‘selfie’ photos that will become a piece of artwork inside the finished clinic.
The Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition is a group of business, community and civic leaders from Albert Lea and Freeborn County working to restore services that have been removed from the community, regain control of local health care options and reduce costs of health insurance in southern Minnesota.
MercyOne North Iowa is part of a connected system of health care facilities and services dedicated to helping individuals live their best life. At more than 2,500 colleagues strong in North Iowa and over 20,000 colleagues across the system, our care providers and staff make health and happiness their highest priority, to get well—and stay well. Our clinics, medical centers and affiliates are never too far from home, allowing us to improve the lives of individuals and communities across the North Iowa area and beyond.