$10.75 Million Renovation at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Will Expand Women's Services in Western Iowa

The announcement was made Wednesday, Jan. 22, to employees, board members, community leaders, physicians and Methodist Health System leadership.

“There has been much discussion in recent years about how we can continue improving services and the health of our community, and a project of this magnitude kept rising to the surface,” said Steve Baumert, president and CEO of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. “This is an exciting day to be announcing this project, which will position Jennie Edmundson as the eastern edge of women’s services for Methodist Health System.”

Work is already underway on the fifth floor space. Upon completion in late 2020, the 18,000-square-foot project will feature:

• Six private rooms where moms can labor in a comfortable and soothing environment
• Three Jacuzzi tubs available for pain control
• 12 postpartum rooms for bonding with your baby after delivery
• A cesarean section suite that offers moms the ability to do skin-to-skin immediately after surgery
• Four Level II NICU bays with a dedicated space for consults
• Expanded space for childbirth education and prenatal breastfeeding education as well as postpartum breastfeeding support
• Safe Place infant security system
• A larger waiting room area for family and friends

“Projects like this come about after months of conversations, planning, studies and presentations to our board,” said Dr. Dan Kinney, a Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital board member. “We take such proposals very seriously and truly explore their impact on our community and health care in general. This project further establishes Jennie’s long-term commitment to the health and betterment of Council Bluffs and western Iowa.”

Lori Platt, MD, is one of six OB/GYN providers who will call a new medical office building on the Jennie Edmundson Hospital campus home this summer. As with the hospital, an entire floor in the building will be dedicated to women’s services.

“We have so many families that trust us with their care,” Dr. Platt said. “To be able to offer them a beautiful place to experience one of the most amazing days in a family’s life is truly an honor.”

The OB/GYN group recently gained two providers, further expanding its outreach efforts in western Iowa and Omaha. 

“Our group is growing, which means more families will have access to outstanding care,” Dr. Platt said. “My passion for caring for people in this community is so strong, and to be part of such wonderful projects makes me incredibly proud. The future of health care at Methodist Jennie Edmundson is very bright, and we can’t wait to share it with patients, staff and all the communities we serve.”