Western Wisconsin Health Makes Bold Expansion to Address Rural Obstetrical Desert and Growing Patient Demand
Western Wisconsin Health (WWH) is answering a critical call for action as hospitals across the region close their obstetrical units, leaving expectant mothers without local access to safe childbirth options. Faced with this crisis and the growing pressure of diverting patients due to being full over 200 times in the past two years, WWH made the bold decision to expand its Medical Surgical and Obstetrical departments.
The urgency for this expansion has been driven by the closure of numerous obstetrical units in surrounding communities. River Falls Area Hospital, Barron, Mayo in Menomonie, HSHS, and Prevea in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls have all ceased offering labor and delivery services, transforming the region into an obstetrical desert. Expectant mothers in these areas face the harsh reality of traveling far from home for care—if they can access it at all. Without available options, many women have found themselves without safe, nearby facilities for labor and delivery.
WWH, however, refused to let this crisis go unaddressed. With patient numbers rising and more rural families turning to WWH for care, the leadership team recognized the need for expansion to meet this growing demand head-on. The expansion is not only about capacity but about ensuring that families across Western Wisconsin can stay close to home for vital medical care.
“This expansion is crucial to keeping services accessible for families who might otherwise have to travel long distances for obstetrical care,” said Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health. “When nearby hospitals closed their birthing centers, we knew we had to step up—not just for our patients, but for the region as a whole.”
The expansion includes three new obstetrical rooms, designed to accommodate the over 400 births expected in 2024. Among the updates is a large, serene water birth suite featuring a birthing tub and pain management options like nitrous oxide. The new rooms are not only equipped with state-of-the-art technology but also provide calming views of nature through large windows overlooking the community trail—offering mothers the opportunity to walk outdoors during labor.
But the need for expanded services goes beyond childbirth. The demand for patient recovery and transitional care has surged, with WWH seeing an increase in overnight stays and acute care needs, especially from patients who were unable to receive adequate care during the pandemic. In response, WWH has added four new rooms to its Medical Surgical unit. These rooms are designed with comfort in mind, featuring large windows and proximity to physical therapy for easy access to rehabilitative care.
For WWH, this expansion is about much more than bricks and mortar; it’s about fulfilling a mission to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to rural communities in a time of increasing healthcare deserts. The decision to expand comes at a time when many other facilities are closing their doors, and WWH is proving that rural healthcare—particularly obstetrical care—is not only possible but essential.
“Our birth center delivered 276 babies in 2023, and we’re on track to welcome over 400 babies by the end of 2024,” shared Dr. Paul Boeder, OB-GYN at WWH. “These numbers show that there is a great need for obstetrical care in our region, and this expansion ensures we can meet that need safely and effectively.”
WWH’s leadership, board, and staff remain committed to being a positive force in the healthcare industry, making decisions based on the community’s needs rather than financial bottom lines. As Pederson expressed, “By stepping up to fill this critical gap, WWH is part of the solution, demonstrating that rural obstetrical care is both essential and sustainable.”
WWH’s expanded Medical Surgical and Obstetrical units are now ready to serve a growing patient base, ensuring that families can receive the care they need, right in their own backyard. With the new additions, WWH is prepared to provide comprehensive care to mothers, babies, and recovering patients in a modern, patient-centered environment.
The urgency for this expansion has been driven by the closure of numerous obstetrical units in surrounding communities. River Falls Area Hospital, Barron, Mayo in Menomonie, HSHS, and Prevea in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls have all ceased offering labor and delivery services, transforming the region into an obstetrical desert. Expectant mothers in these areas face the harsh reality of traveling far from home for care—if they can access it at all. Without available options, many women have found themselves without safe, nearby facilities for labor and delivery.
WWH, however, refused to let this crisis go unaddressed. With patient numbers rising and more rural families turning to WWH for care, the leadership team recognized the need for expansion to meet this growing demand head-on. The expansion is not only about capacity but about ensuring that families across Western Wisconsin can stay close to home for vital medical care.
“This expansion is crucial to keeping services accessible for families who might otherwise have to travel long distances for obstetrical care,” said Eilidh Pederson, CEO of Western Wisconsin Health. “When nearby hospitals closed their birthing centers, we knew we had to step up—not just for our patients, but for the region as a whole.”
The expansion includes three new obstetrical rooms, designed to accommodate the over 400 births expected in 2024. Among the updates is a large, serene water birth suite featuring a birthing tub and pain management options like nitrous oxide. The new rooms are not only equipped with state-of-the-art technology but also provide calming views of nature through large windows overlooking the community trail—offering mothers the opportunity to walk outdoors during labor.
But the need for expanded services goes beyond childbirth. The demand for patient recovery and transitional care has surged, with WWH seeing an increase in overnight stays and acute care needs, especially from patients who were unable to receive adequate care during the pandemic. In response, WWH has added four new rooms to its Medical Surgical unit. These rooms are designed with comfort in mind, featuring large windows and proximity to physical therapy for easy access to rehabilitative care.
For WWH, this expansion is about much more than bricks and mortar; it’s about fulfilling a mission to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to rural communities in a time of increasing healthcare deserts. The decision to expand comes at a time when many other facilities are closing their doors, and WWH is proving that rural healthcare—particularly obstetrical care—is not only possible but essential.
“Our birth center delivered 276 babies in 2023, and we’re on track to welcome over 400 babies by the end of 2024,” shared Dr. Paul Boeder, OB-GYN at WWH. “These numbers show that there is a great need for obstetrical care in our region, and this expansion ensures we can meet that need safely and effectively.”
WWH’s leadership, board, and staff remain committed to being a positive force in the healthcare industry, making decisions based on the community’s needs rather than financial bottom lines. As Pederson expressed, “By stepping up to fill this critical gap, WWH is part of the solution, demonstrating that rural obstetrical care is both essential and sustainable.”
WWH’s expanded Medical Surgical and Obstetrical units are now ready to serve a growing patient base, ensuring that families can receive the care they need, right in their own backyard. With the new additions, WWH is prepared to provide comprehensive care to mothers, babies, and recovering patients in a modern, patient-centered environment.
