Since 1936, Lakewood Health System has made it our business to ensure the health and well-being of our patients and communities.
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11/21/2025
Students in the Healthcare Exploration class at Staples-Motley High School spent their class time at Lakewood on Thursday for an interactive panel discussion with members of our Emergency Department, Radiology, Nursing and Ambulance teams.
Rod Opheim, Emergency Preparedness Director, facilitated the conversation.
Panelists included:
🔸 Dr. Chad Norris
🔹 Dr. Kevin Wentworth
🔸 Sherrie Trantina, RN
🔹 Tiffany Grindstaff, Ultrasound Tech
🔸 Matt Cordes, Ambulance Supervisor, and
🔹 Matt Tixier, EMT
Each team member shared their career path, their role in patient care, and how teamwork drives every moment in the ER.
Students asked thoughtful questions, hearing firsthand about the unexpected turns, memorable patient stories, and the deep sense of purpose that brought each panelist into healthcare.
A key takeaway echoed throughout the discussion: Healthcare is a team effort. Every role matters and everyone works together to help patients in need.
Students also spent two class periods in Lakewood’s Ambulance Department and Emergency Room, gaining a close-up look at coordination, communication, and real-life emergency care. (Watch for photos to be posted!)
This session offered students an invaluable, authentic look into healthcare careers and the people who live them every day.💪
THANK YOU to our Lakewood team for inspiring and sharing your real-life experiences to our next generation! 🧡👏💙
11/21/2025
STILL TIME to REGISTER! 🩷💙 Join us for Lakewood's Prepared Childbirth class on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the classrooms on the lower level of Lakewood’s main campus.
This class is for parents-to-be in their fifth to eighth month of pregnancy, whether it’s your first baby or you’d like a helpful refresher.
We encourage moms to bring their support person to learn and practice together. It’s a great way to feel ready as a team.
👉 DON'T MISS OUT on a chance to create something festive -- and connect with others! Sign up for upcoming Staples-Motley Community Education classes! 🎨🏵️🎁
| Staples-Motley School District
🎄✨ So Many Fun Community Ed Classes Are Coming Up! ✨🎄
Get into the holiday spirit with a festive lineup of hands-on classes perfect for all ages and skill levels! Whether you love crafting, decorating, or creating special keepsakes, we’ve got something for everyone. Take a look at what’s coming:
🎨 Ceramic Ornament Making
📅 Monday, November 24
Design and paint your own ceramic ornament — perfect for gifting or decorating your tree!
🌲 Wood Ornament Making
📅 Monday, November 24
Craft rustic wood ornaments that bring a cozy, handmade touch to the season.
🎁 Ceramic & Wood Ornament Duo Class
📅 Monday, November 24
Can’t choose? Make both! This combo class lets you explore different mediums and double the fun.
✨ These classes fill quickly — don’t miss out on a chance to create something festive, personal, and memorable!
🛍️ HOLIDAY SALE at Longbella Drug by Lakewood at The Plaza in Staples! 🛍️
Longbella Drug is looking extra cozy for the holiday season.🦃🎄And now is the perfect time to swing by for some incredible deals!
🔥WoodWick Candles – 40% off (through 11/27)
🍂 All Fall and Thanksgiving decor – 50% off (through 11/27)
Plus, don’t miss the newest additions to the gift area:
🎄Beautiful 8x8 prints and custom bookmarks created by Lakewood’s own Megan! Perfect for gifting or treating yourself. 💛
⏰ Store hours:
Monday–Friday: 9am–6pm
Saturday: 9am–1pm
Stop in, shop local and bring home something wonderful! 🎁
11/21/2025
🌟 November STAR Award recipients 🌟 Please join us in recognizing the following for their exceptional teamwork during a rapidly evolving patient situation in the clinic:
Nominated by Ashley Ayers, CMA, this group stepped up when two patients required urgent attention, demonstrating quick action, compassion and seamless collaboration across departments.
Kerrie Greenwaldt immediately responded to a patient in distress, staying with both the patient and Ashley to ensure safe transfer and comfort. Brittany Seurer jumped in to help manage urgent care flow and assist wherever needed.
Mary Ruckheim recognized the urgency and took initiative to support patient care without being asked. LaManda Nurnberger arrived at just the right moment, offering hands-on assistance with blankets, communication and patient transfers. And in Radiology, Tarissa Halvorson and her team identified the seriousness of the situation and worked with clinic and ED staff to deliver timely, coordinated care.
"It was great teamwork, putting the patient first in this situation," said Ashley in her nomination letter.
Please join us in congratulating this amazing team on their well-deserved recognition! 🧡💙
📸 At the presentation, from left: Brittany Seurer, CMA; Kerrie Greenwaldt, LPN; Ashley Ayers, CMA and nominator; LaManda Nurnberger, CMA; Kelly Hotchkiss, Director of Clinic Nursing; and Lisa Bjerga, President & CEO.
Missing: Mary Ruckheim, LPN: and Tarissa Halvorson, RT(R).
11/20/2025
Nothing says “welcome to Lakewood” like a homemade meal of lutefisk and meatballs! 🐟
Huge thanks to Dr. Dave Freeman and Dr. Julie Benson for hosting this year’s med-student gathering — a night filled with stories, good food, and the kind of community spirit that makes Lakewood feel like family. 🧡💙
For many of our med students, trying lutefisk for the first time was an unforgettable experience, especially since Dr. Freeman gave the traditional jelly-like cod a whole new twist by preparing it on the grill! (3 out of 4 gave it a fins up!😊👏)
11/20/2025
DON'T FORGET! Today (11/20) is Walk With A Doc at our Staples main campus at 5:15 p.m. Meet at the main entrance and join Dr. Fritz, who's positivity and energy are uplifting! 🧡🚶🚶💙
This week’s “Walk With A Doc” is extra special as we welcome Dr. Mitch Fritz, clinical psychologist at Lakewood, who will be leading the walk for the very first time. 🚶🏻♂️🚶🏼♀️
Dr. Fritz looks forward to meeting community members, sharing helpful behavioral health insights, and encouraging people to stay active, especially as the weather turns colder.
Join us this Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:15 p.m. at our Staples main campus (we'll walk indoors). All ages welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!👋
11/20/2025
✨PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT ✨ This week, we shine a spotlight on Chelsey Leuschke, one of Lakewood’s dedicated physician assistants.
Chelsey works alongside the surgeons from Twin Cities Orthopedics and fellow orthopedic physician assistant Ryan Skoog, providing care in the clinic and assisting in surgeries at our main campus in Staples.
A native of Alexandria, Minn., Chelsey earned her degree from Augsburg University and is a member of the Minnesota Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Outside of Lakewood, Chelsey is married to her high school sweetheart and is the proud mom of two amazing kids. She enjoys gardening, lake days and being outdoors with her children.
🧡💙
11/20/2025
🌻Happy National Rural Health Day! 🎋 At Lakewood, being a rural healthcare organization is more than a location, it’s a calling. 🧡💙
Because here in central Minnesota, rural means:
🔶 Knowing our patients by name.
🔷 Being trusted neighbors and partners.
🔶 Showing up for emergencies, for wellness, for support, for each other.
🔷 Providing high-quality care close to home.
We couldn’t be prouder of our teams, our patients, and our communities who make Lakewood what it is. Today and every day, we celebrate the power of rural and the privilege of caring for the people who make this region so special.
Thank you for trusting us with your care. 🧡💙
11/20/2025
🎄It’s beginning to look a LOT like Christmas at Lakewood! 🎅🎁
Our gift shop elves have been busy! The tree is trimmed, the shelves are stocked, and every corner is filled with charming Christmas décor, cozy winter treasures and gift ideas.
Swing by and feel the spirit of Christmas at Lakewood’s gift shop!🎄✨🎅
11/20/2025
Lakewood was proud to take part in the first ever Staples-Motley High School’s “Hometown Career Collective” today.
Students in grades 9–12 spent the morning exploring the many career paths available right here in our region and discovering how their interests and strengths can result into meaningful futures.
Lakewood team members showcased several career areas at three tables:
🔸 Nutrition Services: Rena Dewald and Rico Lang
🔹 Lab Services: Cory Denny and Brooke Heldman
🔸 Patient Access: Connie Cushing and Loren Walz
We loved meeting the students, answering questions and helping them see just how many opportunities exist close to home!🧡💙
11/19/2025
On her lunch break, radiology tech Krysta Finck found the perfect way to recharge by the fireplace in The Grille.🔥 It doesn’t get much better than a warm nook and a good book on a chilly, gray day! 🧡💙
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The United Hospital District was formed in 1973 when the city of Staples transferred ownership and operation over to the hospital district. The city hospital first started as a 24-bed hospital in 1936, and expanded to a 40-bed facility in 1957. The hospital district consisted of 10 townships and two cities, and at that time elections were held by various townships and cities to form the hospital district.
The purpose of forming the district was to expand board representation and financial support for health care services in the Staples / Motley area. The hospital district is allowed to be formed under state statutes which gives the board more flexibility in securing debt, owning real estate and had fewer restrictions than a 501C6 city facility.
In 1977, a new hospital and nursing home was constructed on Prairie Avenue with the merger of the hospital and the Mary Rondorf Nursing Home. The hospital merged with the clinic in 1997 and a private 501C3 corporation called Lakewood Health System was formed to merge public and private dollars. The district retained the debt and ownership of property, but turned our daily operations through an affiliation agreement and lease with Lakewood Health System.
Clinic Merger / Affiliation Agreement with Lakewood Health System
In the 1990s, it was projected that payment systems across the country would be changed to a capitated dollar system in which a set dollar amount would have to be divided between hospitals, clinics and other health care providers. In response to this proposed change, insurance companies and larger health systems began buying clinics to control the dollars in providing healthcare services. Lakewood Clinic knew that these market changes provided limited time for them to obtain any value in the sale of their practice. There was concern that in the years to come, the opportunity to sell the practice would be significantly reduced or minimized.
In 1995, a proposal was made by the hospital district to the Lakewood Clinic physicians to purchase the practice. The physicians agreed to the purchase by the United Hospital District and two years of negotiations were conducted.
On March 1, 1997, the hospital and clinic officially merged and became Lakewood Health System. The merger consisted of an affiliation agreement in which the district board transferred the assets, equipment, employees and third party contracts over to a new 501C3 private non-profit corporation called Lakewood Health System.
The district board has two representatives on the system board for oversight and to make sure they are effectively managing Lakewood Health System. The structure of the two boards maximizes the benefits of both for the health care system. The two boards each play a significant role providing the most effective support and availability of resources and effort to be focused on the access and delivery of exceptional health services to the Staples / Motley area.
