History
Lakeview Memorial Hospital is the fifth oldest hospital in the state, being incorporated as the "Stillwater City Hospital" on March 22, 1880 by a group of twelve women from the City of Stillwater. The first hospital quarters were maintained in a two-story frame building on North Fourth Street. In 1892, a new hospital building was erected at the corner of Greeley and Anderson Streets at a cost of approximately $7,500. At the close of World War I, the hospital facilities were found inadequate, so a group of citizens raised funds and erected the front part of the old hospital at a cost of $90,000. In 1919, the ownership and operation of the hospital was turned over with the original women's corporate holdings to the City of Stillwater and Washington County. At this time the name of the hospital was changed to "Lakeview Memorial Hospital". The hospital had a capacity of 52 adult beds and 10 bassinets.
On April 11, 1958, a certificate of incorporation was issued to the Lakeview Memorial Hospital Association, Incorporated, a voluntary non-profit Minnesota Corporation. The current Board of Directors of Lakeview Memorial Hospital became the first Board of Directors of the new association. This association was used as the vehicle to raise money for the construction of a new hospital. In 1959 a law was passed in the legislature authorizing the city and county to transfer all assets and liabilities of the old hospital to the new hospital upon its completion.
Construction on the original portion of the new hospital began in November 1959, and the new facilities were occupied on February 14, 1961. Cost of the new hospital was $1,600,000. The new facilities were paid for at the time of occupancy, and the entire amount was raised through public subscription. The original portion of the new hospital had 67 adult beds and 12 bassinets.
Construction of the second floor addition began on October 10, 1966, and was occupied on February 5, 1968. Cost of the addition was $1,105,565. The addition had a capacity of 66 beds, plus a new Physical Therapy Department. The present building is designed to accomodate one more floor.
An addition, completed in 1986 for $4,300,000 added a new surgical suite, ambulance garage, Radiology Department, Emergency Room, Business Office, and Medical Records area. This addition was completely funded through local foundations. Our current facility is licensed for 97 beds and 15 bassinets.
In 1988, renovation of the 1959-68 facility was necessary. All patient care stations were refurbished and enhanced, providing modern rooms and meeting space and current equipment needs. This renovation was completed in 1989.
Responding to the increase in outpatient service, a $12 million expansion was completed in 1994. Through strategic planning, a 26,000 square foot expansion was completed to focus on our Surgery, Recovery, Anesthesia, Radiology, Emergency Special Procedures, Waiting and Admitting areas. Improvements were also made to public and mechanical areas, Pharmacy and Nutrition Services. In 1998 an extension was completed to house the new Easy View MRI unit, providing faster and the highest quality images available, while providing roomier and well-lit space to alleviate anxiety for patients.
In 2000, the Lakeview Women's Center was opened to provide all private rooms, a surgical suite and a new Level II Nursery within the unit. The Medical/Surgical Unit was remodeled to provide private patient rooms and a quieter environment for patients and families. Homeopathic medicine was added to Lakeview's services, including massage, music and aroma therapies.
Project Revitalize (2010-2011) modernized Lakeview Hospital's facilities to address state-mandated regulations, increasing patient needs, undersized facilities, and the space requirements of new medical technologies and advances in medical care. It included a mechanical room addition, Sleep Center and Respiratory Therapy remodel, remodel of inpatient rooms to all private rooms, Pharmacy remodel/relocation, Physical Medicine office space remodel/relocation, an additional OR suite and remodel of sterilization area, and a 4,600 square foot expansion of the Emergency Department.
In 2011, Lakeview Health System formally affiliated with HealthPartners. Under the agreement, Lakeview Health joined the HealthPartners family of care, further expanding health care capabilities in the St. Croix Valley region.
Through community involvement, visionary Board leadership, a strong working relationship with medical staff, and the commitment and support of local foundations, Lakeview's mission to meet the needs and expectations of the community is continuously met.
