UW Health, UnityPoint Health – Meriter and Lifepoint Rehabilitation break ground on new rehabilitation hospital in Fitchburg

MADISON, Wis. - UW Health, UnityPoint Health - Meriter and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, an operating division of Lifepoint Health, kicked off construction on a second free-standing inpatient rehabilitation hospital in the greater Madison area.

With 40 all-private rooms, the new 58,000-square-foot facility will be located at 5094 Greenmarket Place in Fitchburg at the southwest corner of Lacy Road and Highway 14, which is within a 10-mile radius of 70% of Dane County's population. It joins the partners' existing 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in eastern Madison that has served patients since September 2015.

Locating the hospital in Fitchburg was done with great intention, according to Michele McClure, chief nursing officer at UW Health University Hospital.

"Fitchburg is a fast-growing community that has a strong need for medical services," she said. "The city and Avante Properties have been great partners in helping us identify a site that will be convenient for patients and families who need comprehensive rehabilitation services on this side of the Madison area and surrounding counties."

The new hospital will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational and speech pathology services for adults recovering from conditions such as stroke, neurological disease, brain or spinal cord injury, and other debilitating illnesses or injuries.

Lifepoint Rehabilitation will manage the day-to-day operations of the facility, according to David Stark, chief operating officer, Lifepoint Rehabilitation.

"Based on the successful patient outcomes and provider satisfaction at the current hospital on the east side of Madison, we are thrilled to partner again with UW Health and Meriter to expand access to even more patients," he said.

Upon completion, the new hospital will join the company's growing network of more than 45 inpatient rehabilitation facilities nationwide.

UW Health has had a primary care clinic in Fitchburg for the past 28 years, and adding another UW Health facility in the city will be an important part of the future of the area by meeting the growing demand for health care services, according to Julia Arata-Fratta, mayor, Fitchburg.

"Fitchburg is experiencing strong growth in both business and residential sectors, and for our city to continue this trajectory, we value the investments from our partnerships with UW Health and Meriter to sustain and enhance this growth," she said. "This rehabilitation hospital project is a positive milestone for both the city and our health care partners as we continue to build on our existing relationship and we are excited to be part of the future development of their 20-acre campus in Fitchburg."

Findorff, a Wisconsin-based construction company, is expected to complete work on the hospital in early 2027.