CentraCare – Redwood

01/21/2026

With snow expected this week and extreme cold following, now is the time to double-check your winter driving survival kit. Being prepared can make a big difference if you’re delayed or stranded. Here’s what you should have in your car:

Basics & Automotive Essentials:
- Hat, gloves, boots, warm jackets, blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Cell phone charger
- Non-perishable, high-calorie snacks (protein bars, dried fruits)
- Bottled water
- Ice scraper
- Battery booster cables

Helpful Tools:
- Shovel
- Flashlight
- Candles/matches
- A red bandana or cloth
- Tow cables or chain
- Ice melt, sand or cat litter to help your vehicle with traction

If you become stranded, do your best not to panic. Call 911 for help. Provide your location, the problem you are experiencing and don't hang up until you know who you have talked with and what will happen next.

Plan to stay in your vehicle, unless told otherwise by authorities. Walking in freezing temps can be very dangerous. Your vehicle can be a good, safe shelter while waiting for help or for the storm to pass.

01/21/2026

01/19/2026

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his call to build a more just and compassionate world.

In healthcare, equity becomes real in everyday moments; in listening, in access, and in showing up for every patient, every family, every community.

This work is ongoing. Today, and every day. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜✨

01/17/2026

No family history of breast cancer? Mammograms still matter. Watch Paige Hennen, CNP, break down the screening recommendations and why they’re important.

01/17/2026

When you wake up with a cough, sore throat, or runny nose, it’s natural to wonder: Is this just a cold, or something more? With several illnesses circulating this time of year, it can be hard to tell which respiratory illness you're dealing with. While these illnesses can share symptoms, there are important differences that can help guide what to do next.

👉 Swipe through to learn more.

01/16/2026

Earlier this week, we welcomed 25 Redwood Valley High School students to CentraCare – Redwood for a Career Exploration Day!

Students had the chance to tour the hospital and clinic, connect with our team members and take part in hands-on activities across several departments, including Clinic Nursing, Med/Surg, OB, ER, EMS, Lab, Rehab, Imaging, Dietitian Services and Surgery.

Many students shared how impactful it was to see hospital spaces firsthand. One student said her favorite part was putting on a “bunny suit” before visiting the operating room and learning from the surgical team about what they do each day. Another discovered a new interest in dietetics after hearing more about the role and what it involves.

A big thank you to our team members for sharing their time and expertise, and to Redwood Area Schools for partnering with us to inspire the next generation of health care professionals!

01/16/2026

Finding a primary care provider who truly listens and takes time for meaningful conversations can make all the difference in your health care experience. Patients say they’ve found that and more with Dr. Joshua Friese. From his empathy and communication to the excellent care he provides, here’s what some grateful patients have shared:

◾"𝑫𝒓. 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓, 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓, 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓!"
◾"𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆!"
◾"𝑫𝒓. 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆. 𝑯𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈."
◾"𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆!"
◾"𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕."
◾"𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔."
◾"𝑫𝒓. 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕!"
◾"𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏, 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖."

01/14/2026

Check out the first 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴! This month, CentraCare Archivist, Brendon Duffy, tells us about WELL - St. Cloud Hospital's own radio station and the special tokens patients used to listen. 📻

01/14/2026

Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. When it happens repeatedly, it may lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn and a chronic cough are common signs of GERD, which occurs when a valve in the esophagus doesn’t close completely, allowing stomach acid to flow back upward.

Other GERD symptoms may include:
• Chest discomfort
• Hoarseness or sore throat
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• New or worsening asthma

Symptoms often worsen at night or when bending over or lying down. Even with lifestyle changes or medication, some people continue to experience ongoing symptoms.

In these cases, additional evaluation—such as diagnostic testing—may help identify the cause and guide next steps for care.

If GERD symptoms are affecting your daily life, consider talking with your doctor or learning more about treatment options at www.centracare.com/reflux.

01/13/2026

Feeling better after a cold or flu, but still coughing or tired? It's normal for some symptoms to linger even after the infection has cleared.

Learn why this happens, what's considered normal and when it might be time to see a doctor: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/why-cold-and-flu-symptoms-can-linger/

01/10/2026

Respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19, and RSV have been on the rise in our communities. If you or a loved one aren’t feeling well, knowing where to go for care can make all the difference. Swipe through to see your options—from primary care and walk-in clinics to urgent and virtual services—so you can get the right care, right when you need it.

01/09/2026

Joint pain affects millions of people - and it can slowly take away the activities you love.

Once able to walk up to 10 miles a day, Kim M. found that ongoing knee pain eventually made even short distances difficult. After a total knee replacement at CentraCare – Redwood, she’s back to walking multiple times a day and enjoying life again, all with care close to home.

“I’m really happy with the outcome,” Kim shared. “The pain I had before surgery is gone.”

Read Kim’s story about choosing local orthopedic care and how knee replacement helped restore mobility and independence.
https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/patient-stories/restoring-mobility-through-knee-replacement/

At CentraCare - Redwood, doctors from Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic can help you get back to your favorite activities. If you’re considering knee or hip replacement, call 507-637-2985 to schedule an appointment today. No referral is needed.