I have been to all of the major Madison hospitals. They are: University Hospital, Meriter, St. Mary's, the VA and UW Health (far east side). Meriter and St. Mary's are just a few blocks apart. There is a Meriter Hospital on Stoughton Road (east side) as well.
Most have eccentric parking and interior layouts.
If you are on University Avenue near the University, steady slow driving. Jaywalking is terrible. (Campus Drive is unofficially University Avenue, bypassing student housing). Definitely not my favorite for new visitors. Lots of students in central Madison.
Kwik Trip gasoline convenience stores are recommended. Sandwiches, juice, coffee in good fresh supply. Usually bathrooms are good. If not, alert the store. There are 2 on Fish Hatchery Road, one on each side of the road. (Forget all of the other competing gasoline stations, if not on University Avenue). Ask anyone for directions if unclear.
Midvale Boulevard is the safest way between University Avenue and The Beltline.
Park Street, not recommended if going to University Hospital.
Fish Hatchery Road is essentially a branch of Park Street.
From Rockford, take the Beltline West probably. If your visit is on the east side, exit Stoughton Road is likely. If your visit is Meriter or St. Mary's, exit Park Street or Fish Hatchery. I like Fish Hatchery myself a bit more. If your visit is UW Hospital or the VA, exit at Midvale Boulevard, go north all the way to University Avenue, turn right. Highland Avenue is U-shaped.
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