RAGBRAI path forces health care accommodations in Iowa City, Coralville area

When some 10,000 RAGBRAI riders roll through the Coralville-and Iowa City area next week, they will converge nearer University of Iowa Health Care facilities than in years past.

That was by design, as area officials wanted to show off the community's relatively new Iowa River Landing district, Kinnick Stadium, and the towering UI Children's Hospital, which is under construction and slated for completion next summer.

But the unprecedented proximity of RAGBRAI festivities to UI Health Care services - including the main hospital campus and Iowa River Landing clinic - has prompted officials to take extra measures to keep patients informed and emergency access clear, said Rebecca O'Rourke, UI assistant director for clinical services.

'The hospital is treating it like a game day,” O'Rourke said about plans for extra security and police presence in and around the UI main hospital as riders pass through Iowa City on July 25.

The biggest wave of bicycle traffic is expected to crowd Hawkins Drive - which separates Kinnick Stadium and the main hospital - around 7 a.m. that day - about the same time the nursing staff changes, O'Rourke said.

'It's a very busy time at the hospital,” she said.

UI police will staff the route and direct traffic through the medical campus, paying particular attention to streets accessing the emergency room, according to O'Rourke.

When cyclists arrive in Coralville the previous day, they'll head in along First Avenue and convene in the Iowa River Landing district, where they'll find food and beverage vendors and the main entertainment stages.

That could cause delays and congestion for patients with planned and unplanned visits to the UI clinic on site, O'Rourke said. And administrators are reaching out to those patients to warn them and ask them to bring appointment letters to show officers who'll be monitoring the adjacent parking ramp.

'Police will be checking,” she said.

But appointments at the UI clinic are being scheduled as normal for that day - although summers in general can be slower with providers taking occasional time off, according to O'Rourke.

The UI Hospitals and Clinics is drafting communication plans to share with employees about RAGBRAI expectations, accommodations, and recommendations.

'And we are contacting all the ambulance services so they are aware,” O'Rourke said.

UIHC is providing two medical service tents for RAGBRAI's stop in Coralville - one in Iowa River Landing and another near the main campgrounds by S.T. Morrison Park. The tents, staffed by UI volunteers, will offer shuttle services to the hospital for the 'walking wounded” who don't need an ambulance but do need to be seen, O'Rourke said.

Ambulances also will be on hand for emergencies.

Local pharmacies have donated supplies for the stations, and about 35 volunteers so far have signed up to help, O'Rourke said. Area firefighters plan to drive roving golf carts and Gators through the grounds to provide rides to those needing medical care.

The city of Coralville provided a budget of $1,000 for the two medical stations, but O'Rourke said they've managed so far through donations and volunteers.

'We haven't tapped that (funding),” she said.