CentraCare

08/08/2025

We celebrate and support all feeding journeys. This week, we're shining a light on the power of breast milk. 🍼🙌

Our tiniest patients in CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Birth Center celebrated World Breastfeeding Week in style, rocking adorable onesies that say, “Every Drop Counts,” “Eat Local,” and “Love in Every Drop.”

Breast milk isn’t just food. It’s liquid gold that helps babies grow strong, healthy and ready to take on the world, especially for those who need a little extra love in their first days. Whether it comes from mom or a generous donor, every drop makes a difference.

Swipe through to meet the sweetest little milk drinkers around and see some of the fun going on at St. Cloud Hospital this week!

08/07/2025

It was 88 years ago this week (August 3, 1937) that Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar received its first patient, a young girl who needed a tonsillectomy. When Cushman Rice died in 1932, he left substantial land and funds so that a hospital could be built in Willmar in honor of his parents, Albert and Sophia Rice. Albert Rice had been a business owner, newspaper publisher and served two terms as lieutenant governor of Minnesota. With these gifts from the Rice estate, the City of Willmar built a 37-bed hospital at the corner of Becker Avenue and Third Street at no cost to community members. Within the first year, the hospital had grown to 19 staff members - an administrator, eight nurses, three maids, two cooks, one laundress, one laundry assistant, one janitor, a laboratory technician and an anesthetist. Eight medical staff treated patients. Rice has experienced continued growth ever since!

08/06/2025

Two moms. Two journeys. One powerful gift.

Michaela donated out of gratitude. Andrea donated through grief. Both gave something life-changing: their breast milk. Discover how their stories, rooted in love and hope, are helping fragile babies thrive.

Learn how you can become a donor: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/inside-centracare/two-journeys-of-donating-milk-to-help-others/

08/06/2025

Dr. Wilson says that he enjoys "working as a team to deliver the most effective care tailored to each individual patient, family and clinical scenario.” Glad to have you as a team member, Dr. Wilson!

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/doctors/profile/kyle-wilson/

08/04/2025

Breastfeeding is a true superpower! 🙌

Did you know your body is doing incredible things while feeding your baby? From changing milk to meet your baby’s needs to boosting the immune system, breastfeeding is full of natural magic. Here are just a few reasons why breastfeeding is amazing!

08/04/2025

Injuries happen. When they do, our experts in orthopedics are available to serve you. No appointment is needed. Learn more about orthopedics urgent care in St. Cloud and Monticello! www.centracare.com/OrthoUrgentCare

08/01/2025

We're excited to share that the Blessing Box Project, which began in Long Prairie and expanded to Sauk Centre, has now made its way to Melrose!

The Blessing Box is a small, community-supported outdoor pantry filled with nonperishable food items, personal care products, and other essential supplies — all available 24/7.

Inspired by the motto “Take what you need, give what you can,” the Blessing Box operates on the principles of anonymity, empathy, and non-judgment, making it easy for anyone to access support when they need it most.

The CentraCare – Melrose Blessing Box is located near the Specialty Entrance.

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/about-us/community-health-improvement/blessing-box-project/

07/31/2025

For Trisha Bartels, what began as a routine knee replacement turned into a life-threatening emergency: a pulmonary embolism.

Thanks to the quick action of the Glenwood ER and advanced clot-removal care at CentraCare Heart Center, she's back to living life fully.

Learn more about how expert care and innovative technology made all the difference: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/patient-stories/from-knee-surgery-to-cardiac-crisis/

07/31/2025

CentraCare mourns the death of Sister Jonathan Herda, OSB (shown here demonstrating new X-Ray equipment at St. Cloud Hospital in 1964) on Monday at the age of 102.

Sister Jonathan worked in radiology for more than three decades and for nearly 20 years directed the St. Cloud Hospital School of X-Ray Technology (now the School of Diagnostic Imaging).

She graduated in 1946, the first year the school received national accreditation. Under her leadership, many X-Ray technicians were trained who served in our region and beyond.

Sister Jonathan was a good friend to the archives and still labeled photos and identified equipment past her 100th birthday. A lifelong learner, she was certified as a chaplain in her 50s and worked in chaplaincy for 44 years! She celebrated 80 years of monastic life in 2024.

When asked about her philosophy of aging, she said, "I perceive aging as a normal fact of the total process of life. I envision it to have its own distinctive challenges, frustrations and rewards. I am convinced that the best preparations for fruitful aging years is to live fully each NOW. Old age is the crowning part of the total NOW."

May she rest in peace and her wisdom live on in us.

07/30/2025

We're proud to share that CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital has been named the #2 hospital in Minnesota by U.S. News & World Report!

This recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our care teams and their commitment to putting patients first, every day.

Other highlights of the 2025-2026 rankings:

• High Performing in 4 Adult Specialties
• High Performing in 19 Procedures and Conditions

These rankings are based on exceptional outcomes, patient safety, patient experience, and more —and at the heart of it all is our mission to care for you and your loved ones with compassion and excellence.

Thank you for trusting us with your health. 💙

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/about-us/news-publications/media-releases/2025/st-cloud-hospital-ranked-2-in-minnesota/

07/30/2025

Archivist Brendon Duffy is the heartbeat of our history. His story is all about telling the story of CentraCare — bringing to life the people, places and events that got us here and capturing important moments as we forge the path ahead. Join Brendon on a deeper dive into the archives in the latest edition of the My Why video series.

07/30/2025

We're excited to introduce Stacy Longnecker, MD, to our CentraCare – Long Prairie team! Dr. Longnecker will focus on providing obstetric care, supporting women throughout pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum journey.

As a mom of five, she knows how special this time can be — and she's passionate about helping women feel supported every step of the way.

Now welcoming new OB patients! Learn more:

Stacy Longnecker, MD, specializes in obstetrics in Long Prairie, Minnesota. Find out more about her approach to care.