Emplify Health by Gundersen Winona Campus Urgent Care sees record numbers in 2025

Emplify Health by Gundersen Winona Campus Urgent Care sees record numbers in 2025

The Urgent Caredepartment at Emplify Health by Gundersen Winona Campusexperienced a record year in 2025.

Since 2019, the Winona Campus has provided urgent care services to Winona and the surrounding area, and last year, a total of 25,176 patients - the most seen in a single year - utilized that care close to home. That's up five percent, or 1,300 patients, from the previous year. During that span, urgent care also celebrated serving its 100,000^th patient.

The Urgent Care department can treat a variety of issues, says clinical manager Traci Runkle. Currently, much of what they're seeing involves cold and flu symptoms, pneumonia and strep. But aside from those seasonal ailments, Urgent Care can help with bumps, bruises, stitches and many other situations that require immediate access.

"The nice thing about Winona Urgent Care is almost all of our staff have many years of experience, so we are, skill-set wise, equipped to take on anything that comes through our door," Runkle says, adding that issues beyond their capability can easily be transferred to Emplify Health by Gundersen La Crosse Hospital.

January is typically the busiest month in Urgent Care, with a high-water mark of 115 patients seen in one day during the 2025 flu season. Despite those peak numbers, Runkle says staff was able to serve nearly every patient seeking care, but said the department plans to add providers to better accommodate the numbers they expect to see in the future.

Having this service for the Winona area is important to Runkle, who was born and raised in Winona.

"It's near and dear to my heart and I take very seriously how we care for people because it's my people. Its people that I know, and we know in the community," she says. "Overall, our staff is thrilled to be in this community, and we love that we've been embraced by the community."

Urgent Care hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Holiday hours vary. Call Urgent Care at (507) 615-0600 for more information.