CentraCare

04/21/2026

What started as a shy eighth grader “just trying something after school” turned into 750+ hours of impact. See how one CentraCare junior volunteer found confidence, connection and a calling in healthcare — one shift at a time.

Read Anu's story: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/inside-centracare/junior-volunteer-found-her-voice/

04/20/2026

What a weekend at the CentraCare Earth Day Run! 🌎🏃‍♀️

It may have been a little chilly, but that didn’t stop an incredible turnout—more than 2,600 participants joined us, including 437 kids who took part in the free Kids 1K!

We were especially proud of the strong CentraCare presence, with over 560 participants from our CentraCare community showing up to walk, run and support the event.

And the impact goes far beyond race day. Thanks to this amazing community, Active Central MN and Great River Greening will plant 3,500+ trees—one for every dollar raised and in honor of each child who ran.

A heartfelt thank you to the 300+ volunteers who helped make the event safe, fun and memorable for everyone.

We’re so grateful to be part of this fantastic event—and already looking forward to next year!

Check out some of our favorite moments below.

04/20/2026

After months of healing, Jenny’s care team gave her the green light to start training again — and on Saturday, April 18, Lacey and Jenny did exactly what they had been hoping for: they ran the CentraCare Earth Day Run Half-Marathon side by side.

Only this time, Jenny crossed the finish line cancer-free. Read this inspiring story!
https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/patient-stories/healing-and-half-marathons/

04/20/2026

We’re celebrating the incredible impact of CentraCare volunteers!

Every day, they make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients, visitors and staff. Last year alone, 1,259 volunteers gave 89,993 hours of their time across CentraCare.

If you’re passionate about spreading kindness, we’d love to have you on the team. Apply today: https://www.centracare.com/volunteer/

A gift of time. A lifetime of impact.

04/17/2026

If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming an organ donor really makes an impact, you’re not alone.

This Donate Life Month, CentraCare Director of Patient Care Support, Jennifer Seifert, is helping clear things up—who can become a donor, the real impact one person can have, and why it matters more than most people realize.

Ready to make a difference? Consider registering as an organ and tissue donor today: https://www.lifesourcedonorregistry.org/

04/17/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for the Surgery Open House at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital last night.

It was such a special evening, and we truly appreciated the strong turnout and the genuine curiosity, engagement and enthusiasm you brought with you. Your interest in what we do means SO MUCH to our team.

Thank you for being part of it! We can’t wait to do it again next year. Take a look at a few highlights from the evening below.

04/16/2026

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota and today all CentraCare sites will participate in a tornado drill.

Coincidentally, this week 140 years ago (April 14, 1886), a devastating cyclone ripped through St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Rice, Minnesota, killing 72 people and injuring hundreds.

This disaster, still the deadliest tornado in Minnesota history, showed the community both the need for hospital care and the ability, care and fortitude of the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, who had just opened the first hospital two months prior.

(Photo courtesy of St. Benedict's Monastery Archives)

04/15/2026

Meet Kristine Duhamel, CNP, a new member of our family medicine team! She says, "I look forward to listening to my patients, learning about their concerns, collaborating with them and assisting them in reaching their healthcare goals." Welcome, Kristine!

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/doctors/profile/kristine-duhamel/

04/14/2026

Looking for a fun and active way to spend time together this weekend? We've got your Friday evening covered!👇

Join us Friday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. for the FREE Kids Earth Day 1K Run! Open to kids 12 and under (parents or guardians can join their child on the course for free), this family-friendly event is a great way to celebrate Earth Day while getting outside and moving. Walk, job or run the 1K (.6 miles) course along St. Germain Street. It's all about having fun!

Pre-registered kids will receive a free short-sleeve T-shirt. Even better, for every child who participates, Active Central MN and Great River Greening will plant one tree in Greater Minnesota within a year of Earth Day 2026.

Last year, 330 kids participated, and 330 trees were planted. Let's grow that number even higher this year! 🌳🌲

Learn more and register today: https://activecentralmn.org/events/earth-day-run/

04/14/2026

We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School, bringing world-class innovation, education, and clinical excellence directly into our local communities. Together, we’re helping shape the future of rural medicine right here at home.

Still among the nation's best! 🏆The University of Minnesota Medical School once again secured a Tier 1 ranking in primary care and Tier 2 in research from U.S. News and World Report, continuing to earn national recognition for its excellence!

Read more: https://bit.ly/4cr486k.

04/14/2026

CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center became the second site in the NATION to enroll patients and complete a procedure as part of the APEX-RETURN study.

This medical research study is for people who have acute, intermediate risk of pulmonary embolism, which is a dangerous blood clot in the lungs that can make it hard to breathe and can be life threatening if not treated quickly.

The study is looking at the safety and effectiveness of using the AlphaReturn Blood Management System in conjunction with the FDA-approved AlphaVac System.

This matters because when doctors remove blood clots, some blood can be lost. The AlphaReturn system may help by saving the patient’s own blood and putting it back into the body, which could reduce the need for a blood transfusion.

Congratulations to Dr. Wade Schmidt and his team for their participation in this trial! The Research Program at CentraCare Heart & Vascular is in the top 25% of enrollment sites in the country for large, multicenter clinical trials, giving patients in Central Minnesota access to cutting-edge cardiovascular care.

Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth Hancock, Device Rep; Alexandra Arendt, Device Rep; Vincent Baert, Cardiovascular Technologist; Tanya Glenz, RN, Heart Center CHIP/SHOCK Coordinator; Wade Schmidt, MD, Interventional Cardiologist; Kelly Kobylinski, RN, Heart Center Research

CentraCare, St. Cloud, MN

04/13/2026

We're excited to welcome Chase Meyers, CNP, to our family medicine team! Chase enjoys building meaningful relationships with patients while making a real, lasting impact on their health and lives. He says, "I aim to empower patients to take an active role in managing their health across all stages of life."

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/doctors/profile/chase-meyers/