Rochelle Community Hospital Breaks Ground on Major Expansion Project

Rochelle Community Hospital (RCH) held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 20, 2023, to mark the expansion of its Health and Wellness Building. The construction, which began in August, aims to consolidate the hospital’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapy departments along with its Physical and Occupational Therapy departments into a single, more efficient location.

The expansion will enhance services for rehabilitation and therapy patients by establishing a new gym space on the lower level while increasing operational space for Primary Care and RCH’s newly launched Behavioral Health department on the upper level. RCH Chief Executive Officer Karen Tracy expressed optimism about the project’s progress, noting, “We might be a week or two behind at most. The weather has been in our favor. Our team has been working so hard. We’re really proud of the construction workers and how fast they’re putting things together.”

The integration of therapy services will enable RCH to offer more competitive options and cater to a larger patient volume. Tracy indicated that these improvements are also in anticipation of potential renovations to the north portion of the hospital, which dates back to the 1940s and has been identified as needing infrastructure upgrades.

“We’ve done so much talking about construction, and it feels good to see action,” Tracy stated. “The planning was all beneficial because it was the foundation to moving forward. To me, it means that this hospital is thriving and going to be here for years to come.”

Community Support and Staff Involvement

RCH has adjusted the entrance to the Health and Wellness Building, now located to the west off Third Street, between the emergency entrance and the facility itself. Tracy acknowledged the community’s patience as construction progresses.

Staff members from various departments participated in the groundbreaking ceremony and have actively contributed to the planning and design of the new facilities. Tracy commended the team, stating, “We have great staff. They’ve been really cooperative with the work, and we’ve given them a voice and input on what we’re doing. Our architects have done a fantastic job of incorporating staff’s comments and making sure the functionality is there.”

The ongoing expansion of the Health and Wellness Building represents a significant commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the Rochelle area. With completion anticipated in April or May 2024, the project is set to be a pivotal development not just for the hospital but for the community it serves.