“Surgical technology has advanced significantly in the 44 years since the current main operating suites were opened,” said Leah Glasgo, president of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. “This renovation enables us to accommodate the latest technology, recruit new surgeons, and ensure we continue to provide the highest quality care to our patients and community.”

The surgical renovation and expansion project is expected to take approximately 18 months and, according to Glasgo, is “designed to enhance patient satisfaction and improve team member efficiency by bringing inpatient surgery, outpatient surgery and sterile processing together in one convenient location.”

The renovation will include five operating room suites, two endoscopy suites, and 24 pre- and post-operative rooms, as well as building a new addition to the left of the main entrance.

UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge currently offers eight different surgical specialties, performed by 18 physicians, and serves patients from a 60-mile radius.

“I’m really excited about all the great things happening at UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge,” said Glasgo. “From the announcement of Trinity Heart Center to this major surgery renovation and expansion, to all the community outreach our team is involved in, we are proud to continue growing our services and be the community’s trusted health partner.”

UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge announced earlier this summer that a new cardiology clinic, Trinity Heart Center, will open in October. It will take the place of Iowa Heart Center, which announced in April that it would no longer provide 24-hour, seven-day-a week services in Fort Dodge.

“Trinity Heart Center will provide outpatient cardiology service and will be located right here on our campus,” Glasgo said.

Dr. Joseph Cookman, who has been a cardiologist in Fort Dodge since 1997, will be the center’s medical director.

“I am very happy and very proud to be part of the new team,” he said when the new center was announced. “We are going to continue providing the care that we have been providing and maybe expand upon that.”