The city of Winnebago and UHD agreed to the city’s purchase of the vacant UHD Clinic building in Winnebago for $1 at a special meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m.

The Winnebago City Council scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m., to

conduct a real estate transaction with United Hospital District (UHD).

Following a lengthy closed session, the City Council voted to purchase the Winnebago Clinic Building from UHD for $1.

While council members Calvin Howard, Paul Eisenmenger and Jean Anderson were in favor of

the purchase, council

member Chris Anderson opposed the building’s purchase.

The agreement was the culmination of a collaborative effort between Winnebago mayor Scott Robertson, EDA specialist Angie Stier, city administrator Judi Hynes, and the Winnebago Healthcare Professional Services Task Force, along with UHD, to ensure Winnebago residents have ready access to healthcare.

The results of Tuesday’s special meeting were considered a win-win solution by many city and UHD representatives in attendance.

“I think it’s a need to have a doctor,” suggested Winnebago resident Bob Weerts, a member of the task force.

UHD CEO Rick Ash, who was also in attendance at the meeting, agreed, and later added that UHD had determined, after realizing continued use of the Winnebago Clinic Building was not feasible, that the best option was to find a way to keep its use local.

“After the difficult discussions to not operate the clinic, one of UHD’s primary goals was to work with the Winnebago community. We’re pleased that our agreement with the city of Winnebago achieves this goal,” Ash said.

He added, “By transferring the building to the city, it provides a wider platform of collaboration with the city, healthcare providers and UHD for healthcare services in our region.” 

He also noted the building’s transfer into city ownership is a financially healthy development for UHD, which is still navigating the challenging post-pandemic healthcare environment.

At the meeting, Ash cited the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary cause of the Winnebago Clinic’s close in March of 2020.

“We had challenges with staffing, challenges in the industry,” Ash explained.

Anticipating difficulties in engaging a healthcare professional, the Winnebago Healthcare Professional Services Task Force has already sought out a nurse practitioner who says she is willing to bring her services to Winnebago.

Heidi Stevermer, who introduced herself at the meeting, is an Easton resident and a representative of Optimal Performance Specialists Clinics, which currently has locations in Mapleton and Blue Earth.

Stevermer explained the clinic’s services are unique, as the clinic does not run any bills for service through insurance.

“It allows us to serve the underinsured or uninsured,” she explained.

While Stevermer herself practices family medicine, she anticipates partnering with UHD to provide Winnebago patients with specialty consultation services which are typically covered by insurance.

Ash was amenable to the idea, saying, “We want to work with Heidi and her team where we can try to facilitate.” 

Overall, most of the council members and Robertson are excited about the opportunities which lie ahead.

“I don’t think this is an opportunity we can pass up to get a doctor back in town,” said council member Calvin Howard, before making a motion to purchase the property.

Robertson, meanwhile, stated, “I am very appreciative that UHD made this opportunity available. The city of Winnebago is determined to bring needed services back to the community. We are looking forward to working with UHD in the future as we navigate these difficult times in the healthcare industry.”