Epic is Coming to DCMC – Here’s How It Will Impact You

Starting February 7, 2026, Door County Medical Center (DCMC) will move to Epic, the most widely used electronic health record system in the U.S. This represents the most significant technology investment DCMC has ever made. Discover how this change will make your health information more integrated, secure, and easier to access than ever before. 

Why Epic?

Epic is an employee-owned software company based in Verona, Wisconsin. Founded in the 1970s by CEO Judy Faulkner, a former student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the start-up was initially a basement operation and is now a leading provider of electronic health records (EHR). It currently serves 325 million patients worldwide. About 72% of the U.S. population receives care from providers using Epic, making it the most widely adopted EHR in the country and ranking highest in physician productivity and effectiveness.

What This Means for Patients

Epic securely integrates patient data across healthcare organizations, ensuring information is accessible whenever and wherever needed. For patients, this results in a smoother experience at every stage of care. For providers, it means having accurate information when it’s needed, no matter where a patient has been treated.

“Throughout a patient's health journey, a substantial amount of data is gathered and used to guide clinical decisions,” says Erick Schrier, Chief Administrative Officer at DCMC. “Having complete access to this information enables our caregivers to provide more coordinated and responsive care to patients' needs. It’s a win for everybody.”

Currently, accessing patient data from external organizations often involves manual fax requests, which are inefficient in today's digital world. Epic eliminates many of these obstacles, making inter-hospital communication and medical record sharing more efficient.

“DCMC remains one of the last hospitals in Northeast Wisconsin not utilizing Epic, which complicates inter-hospital data exchange,” Schrier explains. “Switching to Epic will provide our staff with innovative features, increased efficiency, and more precise data—benefits that lead to improved patient care.”

The most visible change for patients will be the transition from the current MyDCMC app to MyChart, Epic’s patient portal. Existing patients will automatically have their medical history from the past five years transferred from their accounts, laying the groundwork for their future health journey. MyChart will allow patients to

• Schedule in-person and virtual appointments.
• View medical information from outside organizations that are leveraging Epic.
• Patient labs and other exams can be tracked over time within the app. 

“This is just a fraction of MyChart's features and benefits,” adds Schrier. “It’s like a healthcare app-of-all-trades. As we approach the roll-out date, we’ll share more information on how to get the most out of this platform.”

Investing in Community Health

DCMC’s Epic implementation is supported by a strong partnership with Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). “This project demonstrates teamwork at every level,” says Schrier. “Not only between DCMC and HSHS IT teams, but across the entire organization, ensuring that perspectives from bedside caregivers and all staff are valued. Together, we are building an integrated system that empowers care teams and improves the patient experience.” 

For DCMC, the move to Epic is an investment in long-term community health. “This marks a transformative era for Door County Medical Center and the broader community,” Schrier adds. “I am especially excited about how this transition will open the door for innovative healthcare solutions that benefit not only our current patients but also future generations.”