HealthPartners

06/03/2026

After 20 years as a social worker, Linda Hammersten felt called to do more. She went back to school and found her true calling as a pediatric nurse.

Today at our St. Louis Park Clinic, Linda brings boundless energy, deep empathy and fierce advocacy to children with complex needs, and to the families who love them.

“When I work with families,” Linda says, “I start with the assumption that the parents of these kids are already extra stressed. My goal is to not burden them, only help them.”

That compassion shows up in big and small ways. When a young patient with severe autism was in pain and losing weight because he needed dental care under anesthesia, Linda coordinated across teams, made countless calls and lined up the urgent care he needed. On her day off, she even baked cookies for the dental team to thank them.

Linda is a partner for good and families know they can count on her for answers, for advocacy and for better health!

06/03/2026

Building a healthier future for the next generation starts with understanding your genetics.

Get a better understanding of your genetic health risks with myGenetics. Available now at no-cost.

04/03/2026

What to pack, who’s going to walk the dog, who is going to shovel… there’s a lot to consider when planning a surgery or hospital stay. But first, make sure both your doctor and hospital are in network.

28/02/2026

Children's dental care can be expensive. But our Little Partners℠ dental benefit provides 100% in-network coverage for kids 12 and younger. This means no deductibles, no coinsurance, and no out-of-pocket expenses, so you can focus on what matters most: their smile. https://bit.ly/4k7EXcx

28/02/2026

We love supporting opportunities for kids to learn and interact with science!

Recently, our teams spent a day at the Science Museum of Minnesota as part of their Featured Partner Day. The event included a number of hands-on learning activities, including a PowerUp game that helped kids learn about where certain fruits and vegetables grow.

Our TRIA Orthopedics team spent time at the Sportsology exhibit, which highlights the science of movement and athletics. The exhibit even features some of our experts!

Our colleagues from Regions Hospital shared information on burns and frostbite near the Skin exhibit.

And our myGenetics team answered questions about the no-cost DNA testing research study.

We also were on hand for DaVinci Fest in Stillwater, a family-friendly community event that celebrates art and science and allows area students to share their passions and hard work. It’s an opportunity to showcase science and movement through hands-on learning experiences.

Science sparks curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and helps kids understand the world around them. Thanks to everyone who joined us at these fun events!

27/02/2026

If a patient is taking a medication they don’t need, Hollie Lawrence will find out why. Her team at Regions Hospital’s ICU is known for detective-level problem solving, earning the nickname “the CSI of the ICU.”

“We’re always investigating what’s contributing to a patient’s symptoms,” says Hollie, a pharmacist. “Patients are often on far too many medications, and every day we work to minimize and optimize what they take.”

Hollie dives deep into each patient’s medication history, analyzing whether any drugs could be causing or worsening their condition. She fine-tunes treatment plans using her knowledge of drug interactions—leading to better outcomes and safer care.

Her colleagues say working with Hollie is like having another clinician on the team. She’s always available to answer questions, assist with medication orders, and guide residents and students in critical thinking about medications.

“For Hollie, the reward is simple,” a colleague shares. “Seeing patients recover after a tough ICU stay, that’s the best part. The empathy and compassion here are incredible.”

Hollie’s dedication to each patient and her team makes her more than a pharmacist. She’s a partner for good in every way!

26/02/2026

Yes, your post-drink rosy cheeks could be caused by genetics and could be a sign of alcohol intolerance.

Learn what causes it and what it can mean for your health:

If your face turns red when you drink alcohol, it may be due to an alcohol intolerance. Learn what causes it, what it means for your health and more.

25/02/2026

The health insurance terms copay and coinsurance both refer to out-of-pocket costs, but they work differently.

Learn more about how they work:

Copayments and coinsurance – the same thing, right? Not so fast! Learn what makes copays and coinsurance similar, the ways they’re different and how they play into your overall health care costs.

24/02/2026

A new tool is improving care for patients with type 2 diabetes.

The tool, created by our team of researchers and clinicians at our International Diabetes Center and HealthPartners Institute, is called the Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP).

It’s a one-page summary of a patient’s glucose data that flows directly into the medical record, enabling clinicians to review trends with patients in real time during visits.

Because most people with type 2 diabetes are treated in primary care, this tool is giving clinicians faster access to Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) data.

By putting real-time insights at clinicians’ fingertips, patients with type 2 diabetes get care that’s faster, and more personalized than ever.

23/02/2026

With recent federal law enforcement activity in our communities, some have been hesitant to seek health care services outside their homes. To support our patients and members, we’ve added resources for virtual care, mail order pharmacy options, community-based services and mental health care support.

To learn more, visit our website: https://bit.ly/4rz8tLa

20/02/2026

At Westfields Hospital & Clinic, Jen Sanftner, RN, spends much of her time reviewing benchmarks and quality reports. But she reminds her primary and urgent care teams that the most important outcomes aren’t in spreadsheets, they’re in people’s lives.

“Sometimes it might feel like it’s all about the numbers,” Jen says. “But you have to remember how that number can change someone’s life.”

Jen’s health care journey began at 15 as a dietary aide in a nursing home. She later became a certified nursing assistant and then a registered nurse.

“It’s always been in my blood,” she says. “That connection with people, that’s what drove me.”

Now in a leadership role, she may spend less time at the bedside, but she never stops showing up when her patients and team need her most.

“It brings me back to the patients, and I can model the standard of care,” she says.

Jen is a partner for good, showing up every day for our patients and our teams. And she's reminding us that behind every number is a life that deserves compassionate care.

19/02/2026

Knowing which doctors are part of your health plan’s network can help you make smart decisions about where to get care. Learn how to search your network with the help of our Member Services team.