An Affiliate of MercyOne
About Kossuth Regional Health Center
Kossuth Regional Health Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility dedicated to providing high-quality medical services to the community. Offering a wide range of services including emergency care, surgery, inpatient care, outpatient services, and specialty care, we are committed to promoting the health and well-being of the community we serve.
Our hospital and clinics feature advanced technology and a compassionate team of professionals who deliver personalized care to meet the unique needs of our patients. With a focus on wellness, KRHC strives to be a trusted partner in your healthcare journey.
Kossuth Regional Health Center operates a 25-bed critical access hospital, two family medicine clinics, home care, hospice and public health nursing agencies. KRHC employs approximately 250 individuals and maintains Master Affiliation and Professional Services Agreements with MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
The Mission of KRHC
Our Mission
The mission of Kossuth Regional Health Center is to serve as your home for healthcare.
Our Vision
As a MercyOne affiliate, Kossuth Regional Health Center will set the standard for a personalized and radically convenient system of health services.
Our Values
- Compassion
- Respect
- Stewardship
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Accountability
Our History
Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC) began with the opening of St. Ann Hospital, which was the result of more than five years of effort to secure a modern hospital for the people of Kossuth County. The first formal meeting occurred in April, 1945, which included Dr. Melvin Bourne and the Sisters of Mercy.
In 1946, it was estimated that a 50-bed hospital would cost $400,000. The Sisters of Mercy would raise $200,000; $100,000 would be raised locally and the remaining $100,000 would come from a federal grant. However, complying with all the requirements of the federal government delayed the project, so the Sisters of Mercy agreed to pay the balance of the cost over and above the amount subscribed locally, out of their own funds. The ground breaking ceremonies took place on August 13, 1948. St. Ann Hospital, under the management of the Sisters of Mercy was completed and dedicated on October 3, 1949. The final cost of the hospital was $650,000.
The hospital continued to operate under the Sisters of Mercy until September 1967 when the Sisters of St. Benedict purchased the building. It was under their operation until January 1973, at which time it was taken over by Kossuth County and became Kossuth County Hospital.
In the summer of 1978, a group of citizens realized that the best way to recruit more physicians to Kossuth County was to build a clinic. The Kossuth Medical Center Foundation raised over $125,000 to secure FHA financing to begin construction on a new clinic.
In December of 1985, the Board of Trustees entered into a management agreement with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Mason City, Iowa, which was effective January 1, 1986. This evolved to be the Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa network.
Today, Kossuth Regional Health Center operates a 25-bed critical access hospital, two physician clinics, home care, hospice and public health nursing agencies. KRHC employs approximately 215 individuals and maintains Master Affiliation and Professional Services Agreements with MercyOne – North Iowa Medical Center.
Our Team
Board of Trustees
Tom Geelan
Board Chair
Conley Nelson
Trustee
Brenda Bormann
Trustee
Jason Wartick
Trustee
Greg Penning
Trustee
Administration
Dar Elbert
Chief Executive Officer
Stephanie Colvin
Chief Nursing Officer
Collete McConnell
Chief Financial Officer
Dave Schmitt
Facilities Director
Allie Opheim
Clinic Director
Barb Runneberg
Quality & Performance Excellence Director
Samantha Weichert
Human Resources Director
Facility
Facility Updates at KRHC
Kossuth Regional Health Center operates from a Master Facility Plan, a document approved by the KRHC Board of Trustees that provides an overall look at the KRHC campus and facility to determine the best and most efficient way to use the existing space and accommodate the needs of the rapidly changing health care environment. Updates to the KRHC campus over the years include:
The Local Area
Our Community
Algona is an active community of about 5,500 people located in North Central Iowa. It is the county seat of Kossuth County, which is geographically the largest county in the state of Iowa. Algona has much to offer its rural residents, from downtown shopping and restaurants to outdoor fun at the Algona Aquatic Center, Water’s Edge Nature Center or Call State Park.
Algona has two K-12 school systems, Algona Community Schools and Bishop Garrigan Schools, as well Iowa Lakes Community College.
To learn more about the Algona community, check the local newspaper, The Kossuth County Advance or listen to the latest news broadcast on KLGA, 92.7, Algona’s hometown radio station.
Algona and Kossuth County has many active players in economic development, including the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kossuth County Economic Development Corporation.
