UW Health, UnityPoint Health-Meriter and Epic collaborate on child care center

UW Health, UnityPoint Health-Meriter and Epic are opening a temporary child care center for children of healthcare workers, according to a Thursday statement.

Epic is providing the use of its former headquarters in Madison for free as well as free meals by its culinary team. UW Health is providing furniture and other essential teams. The space will be designed with social distancing in mind.

Employees from the health systems will provide care for children ages six to 13. They’re working with other front-line provider organizations in the community to join the effort.

“Right now, it’s paramount that we remove barriers so that our healthcare teams can come to work if they’re able,” Meriter CEO Sue Erickson said. “This partnership has stepped up to help make that possible.”

They expect to open the center as soon as updates to the space acre completed within the next few weeks.

Some health systems in the state have issued calls for community support to help with child care, while employees at others are looking at ways to support one another.

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