ABOVE: An entrance to Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. There have been questions about the status of the facility but leadership says its committed to staying in the Fairmont community.

FAIRMONT– Uncertainties about the status of the Mayor Clinic Health System in Fairmont have been raised following rumors circling largely on social media. Dr. James Hebl, Regional Vice President for Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Minnesota addressed some of the issues the local clinic is currently facing.

Firstly, Hebl touched on the obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) department. He acknowledged that rural communities across the country, including Fairmont, have been disproportionately affected by the nationwide shortage of OB-GYN physicians.

“Our labor, delivery and recovery unit in the hospital in Fairmont is facing significant challenges due to the critical shortage; we have one remaining Fairmont-based OB-GYN (Dr. Osuebi),” Hebl said.

Because of this, Mayo in Fairmont has implemented diversions for hospital OB care. During diversions, Hebl said laboring mothers in Fairmont are transferred to the Family Birthing Center within the Mankato hospital or another hospital of their choice. However appointments for clinic-based prenatal and postnatal care in Fairmont are not impacted by the diversions.

As for surgical services, Hebl said, “the departure of our only Fairmont-based orthopedic surgeon and ophthalmologist has also impacted surgical services, necessitating adjustments to our operating room schedules.”

At one point surgical services were offered five days a week before they dropped to four days a week and earlier this summer they dropped to just three days a week.

Another question, raised by the broader Fairmont community, was the status of the valet service. This service includes staff members that help patients who have a difficult time getting from a vehicle into the facility, among other acts of assistance.

According to Hebl, the valet services will continue at the Fairmont campus through a new Guest Services program. He said valet is one of the many services offered by the Guest Services staff.

While some services at the Fairmont location have been impacted by one reason or another, Mayo is showing its commitment here by the offering of some new services.

Earlier this year Mayo Clinic launched Primary Care on Demand, which Hebl said is the latest addition to a growing menu of digital care solutions that enhance the Mayo Model of Care and in-person offerings.

“Starting in September, clinic-based OB-GYN and podiatry services in Fairmont will be expanding,” Hebl said. “As a complement to the current team, a certified nurse midwife will be joining the OB-GYN team on a rotational schedule to provide heightened access for prenatal and postnatal care.”

Additionally, Hebl said a newly hired podiatrist in Mankato will spend a portion of their clinical time at the Fairmont clinic, treating patients who need foot and ankle care.

“Mayo Clinic health System is committed to our hardworking, dedicated staff and maintaining our evolving presence in Fairmont. We continue to focus on providing safe, high-quality care for the needs of our patients,” Hebl said.

Employees of the Fairmont location have been contacted about two all-staff town hall meetings, the next of which is this coming Tuesday. During these meetings staff has the opportunity to ask questions about the current state of services, though no big announcements are expected to be made.