Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

September 26, 2016

MHA Newsline: Sept. 27, 2016

In this issue 

Lt. Gov. Smith visits CentraCare Health – Long Prairie

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith visited CentraCare Health – Long Prairie on Sept. 23. Hospital leaders and community stakeholders met with Lt. Gov. Smith to share how CentraCare Health – Long Prairie works to meet the needs of its community, both inside and outside of the hospital.   

Participants in a community roundtable that highlighted how closely the hospital works with community partners included: Dr. Paul Van Gorp, chief medical officer, CentraCare Health – Long Prairie; Dan Swenson, administrator, CentraCare Health – Long Prairie; Jodi Gertken, director of wellness, CentraCare Health – Long Prairie; James Ruiz, member of the Long Prairie City Council, community stakeholder and volunteer firefighter; Katherine Mackedanz, community health manager, Todd County Health and Human Services; Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst, chamber director, Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce; and Rick Utech, economic development, Todd County Development Corporation.   

The discussion showed how central the hospital is to the town. They discussed CentraCare Health – Long Prairie’s efforts to build a healthy community and reduce health disparities through collaboration with public, philanthropic, business and community partners. Highlighted projects included the Better Living: Exercise and Nutrition Daily (BLEND) program, which works to improve the health of children in Central Minnesota by reducing the epidemic of childhood obesity; several programs designed to combat food insecurity by providing local families and community members with access to fresh produce; and the Building a Healthy Community campaign, which supported construction of a new medical campus building in Long Prairie. The community also talked about how the old hospital may be repurposed into a community center following the opening of the new hospital.   

“We enjoyed hosting Lt. Gov. Tina Smith as the Todd County site for the 87 Minnesota counties tour,” said Swenson. Prior to the roundtable, Lt. Gov. Smith met community members at the Long Prairie Farmers Market, which is organized by CentraCare.   

Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith are conducting a statewide tour of Minnesota's 87 counties. If the statewide tour visits your community, MHA encourages you to participate in the events as you are able. MHA can provide assistance with scheduled hospital visits during the 87-county tour. If a visit is scheduled at your location, please contact Mary Krinkie, vice president of government relations, MHA, 651-659-1465.   

Meeting resources, including handouts that can be printed and shared, are available on the MHA Member Center, which is username and password protected. For help resetting your username and/or password, contact Ashley Beno, member services and communication specialist, MHA, 651-603-3545. return to top   

Hospitals, health systems, MHA participate in NAMIWalks Minnesota

MHA member hospitals and health systems on Sept. 24 sponsored and participated in the 10th annual NAMIWalks Minnesota, a 5K walking event designed to raise awareness about mental illnesses and reduce stigma. MHA and LeadingAge MN also sponsored a walking team. Over 3,200 participants came together in Minnehaha Park to walk together and celebrate 40 years of NAMI Minnesota’s work improving the lives of people living with mental illnesses and their families.   

The following MHA members and associate members sponsored NAMIWalks Minnesota: 

  • Allina Health Mental Health 
  • Avera 
  • Behavioral Healthcare Providers 
  • CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital 
  • Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota 
  • HealthEast Foundation 
  • HealthPartners/Regions Hospital/Melrose Center 
  • Hennepin County Medical Center 
  • North Memorial Health Care 
  • PrairieCare 

To learn more about NAMIWalks Minnesota and make a donation, visit the NAMIWalks websitereturn to top   

2017 Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program application cycle begins

Applications are now being accepted for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) 2017 Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program. Eligible hospitals are non-federal, not-for-profit, general acute care hospitals with 50 or fewer beds that are located in a rural area or in a community with a population of less than 15,000 and are outside the seven-county metropolitan area.   

Grant funds are for updating, remodeling or replacing aging hospital facilities and equipment necessary to maintain the operations of the hospital. Approximately $1.6 million is available. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $125,000.   

The request for proposals and application instructions are available on the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) website. The pre-application deadline is Nov. 4. For hospitals selected to go to the final round, final applications are due Feb. 3, 2017.   

For information and assistance, contact Lina Jau, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, MDH, 651-201-3809. return to top

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