WILLISTON — Mercy Medical Center is dealing with a baby boom and a sharp increase in medical emergencies and clinic visits resulting from the area’s oil boom.Data points:
The medical center at the hub of the thriving Bakken Formation has $25 million in expansion projects in the pipeline as it scrambles to handle the spike in demand for health services.
“We just were not equipped for the influx of young people and families,” said Matt Grimshaw, chief executive of Mercy Medical Center.
- Three years ago, the hospital downsized to a 25-bed critical access facility based on predictions of a dwindling and aging population.
- Williston’s population now is estimated at 23,000; 4,716 census count in 2010.
- Williston could peak at 40,000 in six to seven years
- Williston hospital looking to oil industry for assistance
- Minot’s population, 40,888 according to the 2010 census, now is estimated to exceed 50,000
- Minot's population could double to 100,000 in the next five to ten years
- Trinity Health is the second-largest hospital system in North Dakota after Sanford Health
- Trinity Health added 80 doctors and mid-level practitioners in the last two years and is trying to hire more than 60 nurses
Two photos of the ambulatory care center, November 13, 2011:
This is a view looking south from the new ambulatory care center. Note the Oasis rig in the far background, and the line of trucks on the bypass.
Meanwhile, this is a new 3-story clinic going up across the bypass from Mercy Hospital (this is not part of the Mercy Hospital complex):
