Joan and Richard Stark, right, were guests of Van Diest Medical Center Thursday when the Infusion Center that bears the couple's names was dedicated. Lisa Ridge, chief executive officer of Van Diest Medical Center, is pictured to the left.

An open house and dedication celebrating the Joan and Richard Stark Infusion Center at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City was held Thursday afternoon.

The infusion center was recently expanded and renovated to provide additional treatment bays, a dedicated nurses station, restroom and other amenities. With nearly 130 patient visits logged each month, the facility offers patients a variety of infusion services, including intravenous antibiotics, chemotherapy treatments, injections, fluids for dehydration and blood transfusions.

The open house celebrated the naming of the infusion center for project benefactors Joan and Richard Stark. The Starks were in attendance along with members of the board of trustees, hospital foundation members, auxiliary board members, county officials, providers and staff members.

“We are so grateful to Joan and Richard Stark for their kindness and generosity,” said Lisa Ridge, VDMC chief executive officer.

“Without their thoughtful contribution, the renovation of this vital service for our community might not have become a reality.”

Richard Stark also offered a few comments to those attending.

“Thanks especially to Lisa Ridge and Lori Foster (director of public relations) who first came to visit us and helped identify the need for a gift. We were glad to play a part in that,” said Stark.

“I also want to thank Bob and Mary Van Diest. The community owes a debt of gratitude to them for making this wonderful facility possible. We’re glad to be doing a small part to share in this community endeavor.”

Ridge also thanked the other donors who contributed to the infusion center project including community members, employees and providers and the hospital foundation.

The original infusion center opened in October 2016 when VDMC converted a conference room and an office to offer a treatment space. The need for infusion services continued to grow through the years and it became evident that the four treatment bays were not enough handle the patient volume.

An expansion and renovation project was approved by the VDMC Board of Trustees in February 2020, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic stalled construction work for nearly two years.

In July 2022, crews were able to begin renovations on the infusion center.

The updated infusion center welcomed its first patients in December 2022.