A History of Caring

After years of healthcare delivery by horse and buggy, the first Platteville area hospital opened on February 12, 1900, with an expansion completed in 1914. At this time, the hospital had 25 beds, and served southwest Wisconsin until 1950. Upon that hospital's closure, community members came together to build the Platteville Municipal Hospital , which opened in September, 1950. A nursing home wing was added seven years later. The hospital was finally completed in 1963, when an Obstetrics unit and an Administration wing were added.

By the late 1970s, the financial characteristics of healthcare had changed and it became increasingly difficult for the organization to continue to invest in facility infrastructure. The original building was outdated and in serious need of renovation. It became evident that action needed to be taken to reduce operational costs and provide a method of acquiring new technology and equipment.

At the same time, Cuba City Medical Center , while not municipally held, was facing a similar challenge. The two hospital boards came together and developed a plan to consolidate their facilities. This was the genesis of Southwest Health Center as we know it today.

In 1985, with the goal of streamlining operations, the Board of Directors decided to house acute care services in Platteville and long-term care services in Cuba City . Changes began with the renovation of what is now the Willow section of the Cuba City nursing home. Upon completion of the renovation, residents of the Platteville nursing home were relocated to Cuba City . With the operational consolidation completed, the south wing of the hospital was renovated and a multi-phase remodeling plan was underway. Beginning in 1985, this process continued piece-by-piece. By 1991, all areas of the existing facility had been renovated.

The hospital itself was challenged with space in its former location. Built in the 1950's, the hospital was housed in a converted assisted living facility and nestled in a neighborhood several miles away from the main highway where, inadequate land was available to provide cost-effective options for expansion.

Southwest Health Center's Board reviewed the options and made the decision they deemed most economically advantageous. Construction of the hospital in its new location adjacent to Highway 151 began in 2004. The new location of the hospital and the project's on-time completion set Southwest Health Center well on its way to achieve a projected 20% growth in patient volumes in the following year.

In 2005, Southwest Health Center moved into its new home. The new hospital features an award -winning design that draws on Platteville's rich topography and mining history. Better still, integrated efficiencies in the design have improved the already high quality of daily operations. The new Southwest Health Center promises higher patient satisfaction, improved access and outstanding visibility to draw patients from a five-county region.

Notwithstanding, the move opened the door to state-of-the-art medical equipment and health technology, additional space to expand treatment and programs, and enhanced patient comfort and privacy.