10 Years for New Portage Health Facility

A Copper Country hospital celebrates an impressive milestone.

Portage Health in Hancock recognized its 10th anniversary at its Campus Drive location.

The current hospital opened its doors to patients on March 4th, 2000.

It marked the occasion today with a video presentation and speeches from administrators who helped plan the relocation from a 50-year-old building to a state-of-the-art facility.

Lab director Richard Kangas says he was around at Portage Health before the move, and the old building was cramped and becoming difficult to maintain.

The newer facility hasn’t just allowed for expanded clinical services.

It’s also allowed for an increase in hospital staff from about 300 employees to around 600.

Employees were able to watch the video and help themselves to a free breakfast spread all morning long.