IRON MOUNTAIN — An estimated $1 million in emergency department renovations are planned at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital.

Groth Design Group of Cedarburg, Wis., was named Thursday as architect for the work, with the Dickinson County Healthcare System Board of Trustees approving a fee of 7.75% of the project cost, which is not to exceed $1 million.

Specific plans weren’t shared, although board Chairwoman Margaret Minerick has described the concept as “replacing the curtains with walls.”

Meanwhile, DCHS officials are optimistic about the hospital’s application for a $16.9 million Rural Development loan to refinance debt and acquire new equipment.

“We look forward to positive developments in the next couple of weeks,” CEO Chuck Nelson told the board via Zoom.

The loan amount is down about $8 million from the hospital’s initial request a year ago, which was shelved after U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development officials said they wanted evidence of financial stability through this year. According to Minerick, the lower amount is possible due to COVID-19 assistance received through the federal CARES Act, as well as improved financial performance.

Finance chairman Jeffrey Campbell reported Thursday the hospital “did turn a slight operating profit for the month” of August. Patient volumes were down, but expenses were kept under control, he said.

DCHS had a year-to-date bottom line of $3,728,575 as of the end of June. Figures from July and August have yet to be finalized for public disclosure, although July also was noted as profitable.

In other action, the hospital board:

— Received a COVID-19 update from Sue Hadley, director of nursing, who said an uptick in cases throughout the region since Labor Day is “something to be mindful of.” Staff at the hospital have continued “to navigate this very well,” she said of the pandemic. Two county residents have died from the virus, but none since April. No information was offered on whether any COVID-19 patients currently are hospitalized.

— Learned from Nelson that a regional heart clinic led by Dr. Clay Shaker is scheduled to open Sept. 30 at DCHS while a new urology clinic has started scheduling patients. He encouraged patients to follow through on seeing providers, as virus precautions have proved successful.

— Reviewed a telemedicine program operated in cooperation with St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., that provides DCHS emergency patients with the neurological support and care necessary to more quickly diagnose and treat the symptoms of a stroke. In some cases, it negates the need to transfer patients. The community is reminded to call 911 at the first sign of a stroke to allow for the best timely care, Hadley said.

— Noted lobby renovations aided by the Dickinson County Hospital Foundation are nearing completion.

— Under tentative plans, will have its next regular monthly meeting in person Oct. 15.