Future Arrives for Health Care in Marshalltown, IA

Providers invest millions in new ultramodern medical facilities in Marshalltown.

By Patsy B. Weiler on August 11, 2022

UnityPoint Health Family Medicine – Marshalltown

Come take a look at the bright and promising future of health care in Marshalltown. The doors have swung open at the new hospital and construction is ongoing on a modern medical clinic – all designed to meet the community’s medical needs close to home.

The words “excited” and “thrilled” are continually expressed about the recent opening of UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown. Nearly three years in the making, the hospital is, in the words of Administrator Shari King, a modern facility built for modern health care. The former downtown site was closed after faithfully serving Marshalltown for more than a century.

“It is time for something new,” King says. “Health care is rapidly changing, and the future is now. That’s what is so exciting about the new facility – it’s a model for hospitals in Iowa’s midsized communities. It is built with the future in mind, and it will be easy to access for this community and others because it’s situated at the intersection of Highways 30 and 14.”

Innovative Emergency Department in Marshalltown

The brand-new facility is the home of a modern, emergency department, well equipped for a wide array of care from trauma to behavioral health to routine medical needs.

Large, multipurpose, private exam rooms provide space for a family member or support person to stay with the patient, allow procedures such as X-rays to be taken at bedside and, when more tests are necessary, ancillary services are nearby.

“Whatever advances the future brings, the new facility is set to embrace modern technologies all while improving the patient and staff experience. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together,” says Dr. Lance VanGundy, longtime medical director of the emergency department.

A new chapter is being written in cardiac rehab, with an open, bright gym and patient-monitoring equipment. Another plus: the freestanding emergency medical services garage just south of the hospital. It features five ambulance bays, team living quarters with sleep rooms, showers, a kitchen, dining room, office and laundry in one place, shaving minutes off response time.

And UnityPoint Health Family Medicine – Marshalltown has moved to a new building about a mile north of the hospital at 303 Nicholas Drive to accommodate growing numbers of patients and providers.

McFarland Clinic Marshalltown/RMH Architects

McFarland Clinic Construction

Construction is underway for the McFarland Clinic Marshalltown, a state-of-the-art 66,000-square-foot building, which will be located at 421 E. Merle Hibbs Blvd.

Set to open in early 2023, the $20 million facility will allow for more comfortable and efficient use of space for patient care. Oncology services will expand with a new infusion center and imaging center advancements. Physical therapy services will be more accessible and a NuCara Pharmacy will be on-site.

“We are excited for the move into our new building. The space has been designed with input from the physicians to create an environment that allows for easy coordination of care and interaction among the departments,” says Dr. Alison Wilson, general surgeon and medical director. “Both patients and providers will be pleased with the result.”

McFarland Clinic is Iowa’s largest physician-owned multispecialty clinic, with 55 medical specialties and services and more than 300 providers across central Iowa.

In Marshalltown, there are 15 medical specialties with 66 providers and 125 employees offering care to the community, including family medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, podiatry, orthopedic surgery, oncology, physical therapy, optometry, obstetrics and gynecology. Technology advancements offer online scheduling and check-in, plus MyChart, a patient portal, allows secure online communication with providers, bill payment and more.

Conveniently located inside the Hy-Vee grocery, the McFarland Clinic Express Care makes same-day and nextday appointments for common illnesses.

“We have a lot of positive momentum in our community, with the advance of health care facilities and services at our clinic and our local hospital,” says Dr. Joseph Pollpeter, McFarland Clinic family medicine physician. “This means area residents will benefit from multiple services close to home.”