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IRON RIVER -- The Iron County Community Hospital has seen quite a few changes over the last year, and Monday they even got a new name.  The hospital is now known as Northstar Health System.

The decision to rebrand the hospital started six months ago when officials determined that they needed a name that was more recognizable to the public.

"Northstar is a traditional compass point, it's a guide," said CEO Bruce Rampage.  "As a critical access hospital, we anticipate that we will be a guide."

The announcement of the name and logo changes go hand-in-hand with the major construction projects taking place at the facility.  One of the projects is a brand new emergency department, which will expand from 1500 square feet to 8000 square feet.  There will also be a new oncology area and additional private rooms for patients.

Because the hospital is non-profit, funding for the construction doesn't impact patients.

This is the first phase in an expansion program that started last year to provide better patient care in the area so patients don't have to travel to larger facilities in order to receive treatment.  When the expansion is complete, the existing hospital will get a face-lift.

"The next seven or six months will require a remodel of about 13,000 square feet," Rampage said.

Though construction is behind about a month at this point due to weather complications, the new emergency department will be open to patients by the end of May.  The hospital remodel is expected to be finished this December.