New McKenzie County Healthcare Systems Facility Opens Its Doors in 2018

One of the greatest enhancements to Watford City in 2018 was the opening of the new McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS) facility.

In August 2016, JE Dunn began construction on the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems replacement medical facility. The new building opened to the public on July 1, 2018. Since then MCHS has seen approximately 2,800 emergency room patients. The radiology department sees over 200 visits per month. This state-of-the-art, $76.3 million facility features a brand-new hospital and clinic as well as updates to the connected Good Shepherd Home (long-term care facility) and nearby Horizon Assisted Living. The facility is comprised of 24 inpatient rooms, nine emergency room bays and two operating rooms.

In September 2018 MCHS became the first hospital in the region to invest in Tru-D SmartUVC to help keep patients and staff safe from germs and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Tru-D is a UVC disinfection robot that is deployed after the environmental services staff cleans a room using traditional protocols. Operated from a remote control outside the room, Tru-D administers a single, lethal dose of UVC energy from one, central placement in the room, killing up to 99.9% of germs and pathogens that can be left behind. Once the cycle is complete, the operator is notified via audio and/or text message that Tru-D can be moved to the next room.

In December 2018 MCHS began expanding it's services and recruiting new providers. Three new doctors and a doctor of nursing practice have joined the staff. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ravindra Joshi, general surgeon Dr. Torfi Hoskuldsson, doctor of internal medicine Dr. Lucinda Mundorf and Leah Brewster, DNP have begun seeing patients in the new facility.

Surgical services are new to MCHS and come with a hefty price tag. The American Legion Carl E. Rogen Post 29 is providing a $25,000 donation to help offset the expense of surgical instruments. Through charitable gaming funds, they have given over $4 million in donations to the Watford City Community since the early 90s. The check presentation will take place on February 7 at the Good Shepherd Home.