Challenge
Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital (SDCMH), a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Rushville, Illinois, has been dedicated to serving its community for over a century. With its newest facility built 42 years ago and the oldest standing for 102 years, the hospital recognized the need for modernization to continue providing high-quality care. Leadership sought a strategic approach to ensure that facility upgrades aligned with the healthcare needs of their patients.
To achieve this, SDCMH engaged Stroudwater Associates, selecting them for their deep expertise in rural healthcare and their ability to provide an independent, data-driven assessment. “We wanted a partner who could bring an unbiased perspective—someone who specializes in rural healthcare and could help us make strategic, informed decisions,” said Gregg Snyder, CEO of Culbertson Memorial Hospital.
Process
Once engaged, Stroudwater Associates launched an intensive data-gathering and demand-modeling initiative. Their work began with a comprehensive market analysis, which provided critical insights into the hospital’s patient base, projected service volumes, and potential revenue opportunities. By examining patient demographics, service utilization, and market share trends, Stroudwater helped SDCMH understand which services were most in demand and where growth opportunities existed. This foundational data ensured that the hospital’s investments were strategically aligned with the future healthcare needs of its community.
Armed with this knowledge, Stroudwater’s team conducted on-site engagement, led by John Downes, who spent a week working closely with administrative leadership, service line teams, and facilities personnel. These discussions provided deeper context to the data, identifying both operational pain points and areas of opportunity within the existing facility structure.
Using these insights, Stroudwater employed a Charrette master facility plan—an intensive, focused workshop approach that allowed stakeholders to rapidly collaborate on an actionable master plan. This process ensured that strategic decisions were made efficiently, leading to a clear and well-informed road map for the hospital’s future.
“With Stroudwater’s efficient approach, we quickly moved from assessment to action, allowing us to make informed decisions, accelerate planning, and ultimately improve the care we provide to our patients,” Snyder noted. “What could have taken months or years was condensed into a highly effective process that put us on the path to progress almost immediately.”
Results
The collaboration with Stroudwater yielded a refined, data-driven master facility plan designed to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and maximize financial sustainability. Key initiatives included:
- Modernized Inpatient Rooms: Transitioning to single-occupancy rooms with private showers, aligning with best practices for patient safety, comfort, and optimal utilization.
- Surgical Expansion: A planned 9,000-square-foot addition for surgical and minor procedural services, enabling the hospital to offer procedures previously unavailable due to space limitations.
- Improved Patient Flow & Access: Significant enhancement of the main entrance to separate emergency patients from other patients and visitors, improving the patient experience and offering greater infection prevention opportunities.
- Enhanced Specialty Services: Expansion of the Specialty Clinic, leading to the introduction of new service lines such as ENT, gynecology, and vascular medicine.
- Optimized Facility Layout: Reconfiguring key areas, including the emergency department, laboratory, and pharmacy, to enhance accessibility and operational efficiency.
“The plan we constructed with Stroudwater is based upon real data,” said Snyder. “It’s not just about updating facilities; it’s about ensuring our hospital is equipped to meet the healthcare needs of our community today and in the future.”
Impact
By leveraging Stroudwater’s expertise, SDCMH has positioned itself for long-term sustainability and growth. The strategic approach ensures that investments are driven by patient needs rather than arbitrary infrastructure upgrades.
“We now have a clear road map,” Snyder emphasized. “Stroudwater helped us turn a vision into a structured plan that ensures we’re investing in the right areas for our hospital’s future.”
As SDCMH progresses through its phased facility improvements, the partnership with Stroudwater continues to deliver substantial benefits, reinforcing the value of data-driven decision-making in rural healthcare transformation.
Learn more about Stroudwater’s approach to master facility planning.
