Lakewood Health System

05/14/2026

Another great group of 7th- and 8th-grade students volunteered at Lakewood Pines assisted living, as part of Staples-Motley’s Day of Caring.

Students helped clean up the grounds by picking up branches and sprucing up outdoor spaces, while others stayed indoors creating bookmarks from recycled greeting cards, playing co****le, leading exercises, and spending time visiting with tenants.

“This is such a win-win,” shared organizer Lisa Koenigs. “The kids were excited to get out and be part of the community. There were so many smiles.”

Koenigs said students especially looked forward to volunteering at Lakewood’s senior living communities, calling the opportunity one of the most anticipated and exciting projects of the day.

We are so grateful for these hardworking, kind-hearted students and the positive energy they brought to Lakewood Pines, as well as Lakewood Manor and Lakewood Care Center.

Thank you for giving back to your community in such a meaningful way!

♥️

05/14/2026

As part of Staples-Motley’s Day of Caring, another group of 7th- and 8th-grade students spent the morning volunteering at Lakewood Manor assisted living. This hardworking group washed walls, wiped railings and trim, mopped the outdoor patio, enjoyed chatting with tenants and cleaning up the grounds.

Thank you, Staples-Motley students and staff, for your amazing work and enthusiasm at Lakewood Manor! Bravo!👏 👏

♥️

05/14/2026

Today, Staples-Motley 7th- and 8th-grade students spent part of their “Day of Caring” at Lakewood Care Center, helping prepare garden beds, clean outdoor spaces, visit with residents, and enjoy a beautiful morning outdoors making a difference.💪

We are so grateful for their helping hands and positive attitudes. Several care center residents enjoyed having a front-row seat, watching the students work together.

Thank you, Staples-Motley students and staff, for choosing to spend your day sprucing up our senior campus. Bravo!👏 👏

Lakewood was also a proud sponsor of their “From The Nest … To The Neighborhood” T-shirts.

📸 More photos to follow of students volunteering at The Manor and The Pines too!

♥️

05/13/2026

🌹WEDNESDAY MOTIVATOR 🌹by Amanda Mithun, Behavioral Health Home Integration Specialist/CLC Therapist at Lakewood.

“𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙀𝙮𝙚𝙨 u𝙥. 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 u𝙥. 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙥. 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩. 𝙊𝙠𝙖𝙮, 𝙡𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤.” – 𝙇𝙞𝙣-𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙈𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖

What beautiful words to reflect on for a Wednesday morning: Hearts up, minds sharp, and compassion on full blast. These words come from the lyrical genius, Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you are familiar with his work, you know what an amazing artist he is.

I absolutely adore the musical, "Hamilton." Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this musical is full of amazing lyrics and songs that I listen to over and over. Not only is it based on history, his insights and words are powerful. In addition to Hamilton, he has written and composed several other musicals and soundtracks including "Moana" and "Encanto."

When exploring options for this weekly motivator, I came across the quote I shared above and felt like what better words to share than those from Miranda.

As you go about your day and your week, may you have your eyes up, your hearts up, and your mind sharp. Turn your compassion on full blast — and let’s go.

Take care of yourself and each other.
🧡💙

05/12/2026

Today, Lakewood’s awesome Nutrition Services team fired up the grill for Grill Out Day during Health System Week, serving up burgers and brats for staff to enjoy.

Thank you to our Nutrition Services team for creating not only a tasty meal, but another fun food option during Health System Week. 🧡💙

05/12/2026

📣 MPR News featured Lakewood Health System in a recent article about our partnership with the University of Minnesota for our new Rural Family Medicine Residency program! 👏 Exciting for LHS and rural healthcare!

🔗 Click on link to read the full story:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/05/10/rural-physician-residency-program-at-university-of-minnesota-expanded-to-staples

The University of Minnesota Medical School is expanding its rural physician training program to the small town of Staples. The program aims to address a rural doctor shortage.

05/12/2026

👉 Lakewood President & CEO Lisa Bjerga is one of a handful of hospital leaders and lawmakers at the Capitol today (May 12) urging the MN House to pass legislation that protects patients’ access to local care.💪 | Minnesota Hospital Association

Hospital leaders from across the state joined bipartisan lawmakers Tuesday at the Capitol to urge the Minnesota House to pass legislation that protects Minnesota patients’ access to local care by enforcing the state’s 340B program.

Reps. Natalie Zeleznikar, Dave Baker, and Robert Bierman spoke at the event, along with hospital leaders from Blue Earth, Staples, Ely, Cuyuna, Crosby, Cloquet, and Grand Marais.

Watch more: https://ow.ly/Eu5n50YYmO4

United Hospital District Lakewood Health System Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Community Memorial Hospital North Shore Health, Cook County

05/12/2026

A little pampering for our Lakewood Care Center residents for a wonderful Mother's Day "spa day!"🌸

The Activities team offered fresh manicures, facial masks, and some special one-on-one moments. Residents enjoyed a fun and relaxing time, thanks to our incredible Activities team. 🧡💙

05/12/2026

As Nurses Week comes to a close today (May 12), Sarah Baumgartner, Vice President of Nursing at Lakewood Health System, wants to take a moment to personally thank each of our nurses. 🧡💙

"This past week, we’ve celebrated 'The Power of Nurses,' and I see that power in action every single day — in your resilience, your compassion, and your steadfast commitment to those we serve.

You are more than caregivers. You are highly skilled clinicians, trusted teammates, and compassionate leaders who show up each day to support one another and deliver exceptional care to our patients, residents, and families.

As I often say, 'The strength of our organization is rooted in the hands, hearts, and expertise of our nurses.'

Thank you for the passion you bring to your work, the strength you show in challenging moments, and the difference you make across our organization and communities.

It is an honor to serve alongside you."

With gratitude,
Sarah

05/11/2026

🎟 Do you have your tickets yet?

☎️ Call up a friend, neighbor or family member and join us for "Live Well: A Celebration of Aging" — a feel-good morning filled with helpful tips, great conversations, and lots of inspiration — on Thursday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.) at Central Lakes College – Staples campus.

From sleep and staying steady on your feet to planning ahead for peace of mind, this event is all about helping you live your best life.

Enjoy lunch, connection, and door prizes too!

🎟 Tickets are just $15. Spots are limited, so be sure to grab yours early. Plus, early registration helps secure your lunch!

👉 Purchase your ticket at: https://shorturl.at/sIImD

05/11/2026

As Nurses Week continues, we’re shining a light on the incredible nursing teams across our organization — the true "power behind the care!" 🧡💙

Whether providing comfort during life’s hardest moments, celebrating new beginnings, guiding recovery, supporting wellness or leading innovation in healthcare, their impact is felt in every corner of Lakewood.

We are sincerely grateful for our nursing teams and leaders:
• Assisted Living – Alexis Close
• Cardiac Rehab – TJ McCall
• Care Center – Ashley Wallgren
• Care Management – Becky Misegades and Miranda Haugrud
• Clinic – Kelly Hotchkiss
• Clinical Informatics – Allison Twardowski
• DNB – Kelly Hotchkiss
• Emergency Room – Bobbie Poehler
• Employee/Occupational Health – Kimberly Bryniarski
• Home Care/Hospice – Debbie Toth
• Infusion/Oncology – Jamie Nordick
• Med/Surg – Traci Wisk
• Obstetrics – Nan Hanson
• Outpatient – Sarah Wallgren
• Quality – Angie Paavola
• Radiology – TJ McCall
• Surgery – Gretta Trantina
• Wound Care – Traci Wisk

THANK YOU for the care you give, the lives you touch and the difference you make every day. We are so fortunate to have such extraordinary teams caring for our communities.

✨Happy Nurses Week! ✨



📸 Pictured here is just a small portion of the nurses (RNs, LPNs, CMAs, TMAs and CNAs) at Lakewood, along with a handful of fun pics too. Special thanks to Niki Worden for snapping some candid photos too!