The Marshall County Health Department was outgrowing their 1955 facility and could not satisfy the space and operational needs of a modern-day health department. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new set of challenges to local health departments, which was their lack of storage space and a place for drive-thru testing.
The new two-story 18,800 square foot building fronts the courthouse square, and the main entrance is located on a side street. Because while the building should have a visible presence for the public, a more private and discreet entrance was desired. Upon entrance to the building, visitors will be greeted by a receptionist which will either direct visitors to the clinical waiting room on the first floor, or to the environmental receptionist on the second floor. The separation of these functions and the privacy of the clinical patients was a top priority in the design of the new building. The Health Services area of the building includes a waiting room, work room, file room, patient intake room, five exam rooms including a dental exam room, a telehealth room, lab, offices, and storage. The Environmental area of the building includes threat-preparedness office and sanitarian offices, conference room, lab, work room, and file room. The building also includes a large meeting room, business office, break room, health department bulk storage, and space for the County Commission to use for storage of files and election storage.
The first-floor footprint is designed to accommodate a drive-thru clinic if needed in the future. Cars will drive along the one-way street and pull off in the designated spots beside the clinical waiting room. When the drive-thru is utilized, the waiting room can be converted into a drive-thru support space with a door to the parking area.
This new building will help Marshall County support its mission to improve the well-being of their communities by protecting against public threats, prevent diseases, and promote healthy living through education, regulation, and community partnerships.
