PAGE 2 - WASHBURN COUNTY REGISTER - APRIL 6, 2016
New owner sees bright future for Indianhead Medical Center Danielle Danford | Staff writer SHELL LAKE - Convenient access to health care has been a unique centerpiece of the Shell Lake community since the construction of the original hospital in 1947. Many changes have taken place since then, including changes in ownership. Over the past two years, Kevin Jack and his son, Shannon, both from Menomonie, have been learning the ins and outs of Indianhead Medical Center. This was done to ensure a successful transition in ownership from MidAtlantic Health Management to Regional Health, owned by Kevin. “We looked for somebody who would maintain the kind of health care that we had always envisioned. Then Kevin and Shannon came along and they liked what we were doing and wanted to expand on it,” said Paul Naglosky, IMC administrator. Shannon, who was job shadowing at the hospital during this time, brought the opportunity to acquire IMC to his father’s attention as Kevin was looking for a new business venture at the time. “Indianhead Medical Center is more like a big family and everybody seems to work together very well. I thought it was a good opportunity for us, to keep it independent instead of having it go to a big health system,” said Kevin. Under the new ownership, IMC will retain its name and remain independent from a large health system. By remaining independent, IMC can refer patients to specialists that offer the best quality of care. “I have been learning a lot from Paul through his years of experience, this place wouldn’t be what it is today without Paul and the dedicated staff that works here,” said Shannon. The hospital has been a big part of Naglosky’s life, being a member of its staff for nearly 30 years, the past 19 years as its administrator. Kevin credits Naglosky and the IMC staff for the continued success of the hospital, and said that he and Shannon want to build off of that success, not reinvent the wheel. With the ownership transition, Naglosky will
remain as administrator with Shannon as assistant administrator. “Overall I would say the staff is getting excited for the changes that we want to propose, knowing that their jobs are secure, and that we want to continue to offer quality, affordable health care,” said Shannon. Together Naglosky, Kevin, and Shannon seem to be on the same page about a lot of things, from the hospital’s future to management styles. “You can’t know everything about everything, and that is any business you go into. You have to depend on the department managers and surround yourself with the best people you know are available, and that’s what makes a successful business,” said Kevin, a belief that is shared by Shannon and Naglosky. Kevin’s passion is business, but since owning IMC he has become intrigued by the medical field. Kevin’s background also includes construction projects that involved remodeling and additions on health clinics. “We are going to be doing some of that here, updating, modernizing. That is a portion of the reason we looked at this hospital. We saw some opportunity here to expand on what they’ve already done and what they’ve already created,” said Kevin. Since they have come aboard, new services and positions have been added including having a mobile MRI machine coming to the hospital, the addition of an IT department and billing was brought back in-house. Between these service additions four full-time employees have been added. The Jacks also spent $750,000 on updating the radiology department with new X-ray equipment, a new CT scan machine, and a state-of-the-art mammogram machine to make the department fully digital. The Jacks have more plans for IMC. “We will be doing a lot of renovations over the next five years as far as remodeling,” said Kevin. Their plans include remodeling the patient rooms, work in the OR/ER department, exploring options for the hospital’s front entry/lobby area, and remodeling with possible addition to the
Indianhead Medical Center’s ownership has changed to Regional Health, owned by Kevin Jack, pictured at left. Paul Naglosky, pictured at right, will remain as the IMC administrator with Shannon Jack as assistant administrator. — Photo by Danielle Danford
Indianhead Medical Center has seen many changes over the years, since it was established in 1947. - Photo by Suzanne Johnson clinic. These improvements are part of the long-range plan that includes regular improvements all made to take the hospital and its services into the future. Shannon stated, “We are happy that
the community has stuck by Indianhead Medical Center and Shell Lake Clinic.” Kevin concluded, “and we will continue to be a strong member and strong employer in the community.”
Indianhead Medical Center’s vibrant past Danielle Danford |Staff writer SHELL LAKE - Indianhead Medical Center, the first hospital in Washburn County, got its start through the efforts of visionary locals like Charles Lewis, Dr. Dale Moen, their families, and the contributions of the entire Shell Lake community. IMC’s new owner marks another milestone in the hospital’s history, making it a fitting time to revisit milestone moments from the hospital’s vibrant past. From the pages of the Washburn County Register: May 2, 1946: “Construction on the Shell Lake Hospital will start soon.” The 30’ by 60’ two-story building would cost $30,000. The first floor would have room for 12 patient beds. Nov. 7, 1946: Realizing the benefit of a hospital to the community, the Women’s Society of Christian Service of the Methodist Church gave $125, which was used to furnish one hospital room completely. During the time the hospital was built many community organizations, businesses and individuals made donations to see the hospital open. Jan. 12, 1947: “Crowds throng the hospital open house.” More than 650 people from all parts of the county attended to see the first institution of its kind in Washburn County.
The original Shell Lake hospital building opened in January 1947 and became the first hospital in Washburn County.
Visionary locals like Charles Lewis, Dr. Dale Moen, their families and the contributions of the entire community brought about the reality of a hospital for area residents. Dr. Moen, shown in photo, was known as the whistling doctor and practiced medicine in Shell Lake for 40 years. — File photos
Jan. 21, 1947: The day the hospital opened nine locals, were cared for including the hospital’s first birth, a girl. That day the weather was so bad the father had to hitch a team of horses to the car, containing mother and child, in order to get them to the hospital before the birth. Following an ankle injury Carl
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Wennerberg became a patient before the hospital even had a bed in which to put him. The first operation at the hospital was on Frank Neuman. In an article published in Aug. 1987, Dr. Dale Moen remembers those early days at the hospital, when he was perSee IMC, Page 5
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