(Audubon) The Audubon County Hospital Foundation has announced its 2027 Annual Giving Initiative, which will support and fund a new, dedicated helipad at Audubon County Memorial Hospital.
The hospital is working to establish a dedicated, FAA-compliant helipad to provide a safer, more reliable, and more functional landing site for air medical transport.
As a rural hospital, Audubon County Memorial Hospital provides emergency and critical care to the community. Patients requiring a higher level of specialized care may need to be transferred to a larger regional medical center, and air medical transport plays an important role in enabling timely transfers.
Currently, the hospital’s Emergency Department driveway serves as the landing zone for helicopters. Hospital officials say this creates a conflict between helicopter operations and ground emergency access. Each helicopter activation requires securing the driveway, temporarily affecting access for patients, ambulances, and emergency vehicles.
A dedicated helipad would eliminate that conflict, allowing air and ground emergency services to operate safely and simultaneously. The project would create a more efficient process for patients, hospital staff and air ambulance crews, while improving emergency access and supporting the delivery of timely care.
The Foundation Board says the project directly impacts patient safety, emergency access and the long-term future of healthcare in the community. As Audubon County Memorial Hospital approaches its 75th anniversary, the Foundation says the project represents a meaningful investment that will benefit the community for years to come.
The Foundation will conduct fundraising efforts throughout the coming year, including its Annual Holiday Wreath Sale beginning in November, the second Annual Foundation Gala on February 13, 2027, an Annual Giving Mailing, Grain for Good, and additional fundraising opportunities.
Hospital officials say they look forward to bringing the community together once again to support Audubon County Memorial Hospital and invest in the future of healthcare close to home.
