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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11/29/2025
Have you considered creating a Health Care Directive? It’s more than a document. It's a powerful way to make sure your wishes are understood, and a loving gift to those who may someday need to speak on your behalf.
A Health Care Directive provides:
🧡 Clarity about your personal health care choices.
💙 Guidance for your family during difficult moments.
🧡 Support for loved ones who want to honor your wishes.
At Lakewood, we know these conversations can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer trained support to help you navigate, understand and complete this important directive with confidence and care.
Take the time now to make your voice heard and give your family peace of mind later.
If you’d like help getting started, we’re here for you. Please contact (218) 894-8466 if you would like one of our team members give you more information about a Health Care Directive.
Lakewood's wonderful patient and resident advocates are pictured here. This group consist of our social workers and resident service coordinators who can assist families with Health Care Directives.
📸 Front, from left: Barbara Trantina, Kali Pachan, Madeline Revering and Julia Voeltz; back, from left: Bobbe Anderson, Becky Misegades, Lindsay Kirk, Amy Dumpprope, Taylor Heldman, and Stacy Willgohs. Missing: Jennifer Kane-McDonald.
11/28/2025
Sisters Brooke and Taylor Heldman decided to brighten everyone’s day by showing up in matching chicken sweaters!
Brooke is a phlebotomist in our Lab Department and Taylor is a social worker in Palliative Care. And they get mistaken for one another all the time, so they figured why not lean into it?😉
Matching “cute chicken” sweaters seemed like the perfect way to keep the post-Thanksgiving smiles going!
By the way, their parents actually do raise chickens. 🐓❤️
11/28/2025
Lakewood is thrilled to welcome Dr. Don Hughes to our primary care family!
Originally from Lime Springs, Iowa, Dr. Hughes obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell College and received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Hughes is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Board of Family Medicine
As a family medicine physician, Dr. Hughes cares for patients of all ages. He has a special interest in teaching and mentoring students and resident physicians. As part of his practice, Dr. Hughes performs flight physicals for Federal Aviation Administration pilots.
“I’m excited to join Lakewood because of their excellent reputation, quality care, and amazing medical providers. I hope to add to and compliment all that, as well as get the opportunity to once again practice alongside my son [Dr. Chris Hughes].”
Dr. Hughes and his wife, Cathy, and have three adult children, and four grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with family and taking part in many outdoor activities.
What an incredible Community Thanksgiving Meals event🦃 that we are grateful to be a part of providing volunteers and being a sponsor! 👏Bravo, Discover Staples, for organizing this!👏🧡💙👏
11/27/2025
While many are gathering around their Thanksgiving tables today, so many of our Lakewood team members are caring for patients and residents, supporting families, and keeping everything running with compassion and heart.
To share a little warmth and gratitude, President & CEO Lisa Bjerga and several Lakewood staff delivered meals from the Community Thanksgiving event to those working the holiday.
To every team member working today: THANK YOU! We’re grateful for you and hope you enjoyed your meal! 🧡💙
🌻HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! 🦃
11/26/2025
When you walk through the main entrance lobby at Lakewood, you’re greeted by a tribute to two remarkable physicians whose vision helped shape local healthcare as we know it: Dr. Ted Lelwica and Dr. Bill Mennis (pictured here).
Often referred to as the “Founding Fathers” of Lakewood Clinic, Dr. Lelwica and Dr. Mennis didn’t establish Lakewood Health System as a whole, but they did lay the foundation for what would become the Lakewood Clinic, creating a place rooted in quality, compassion and community-centered care.
Their leadership and commitment to rural healthcare built the framework for the clinic model that eventually grew into today’s integrated health system.
Their portraits hang prominently in the lobby as a reminder of the pioneering spirit that continues to guide Lakewood’s work. Every patient who enters passes by the legacy these two physicians created: A clinic designed to serve our neighbors with heart, excellence and dedication.
In this season of gratitude, we thank them and our entire Lakewood family of team members. That includes our clinic teams in Browerville, Eagle Bend, Motley and Pillager, as well as those serving at the Lakewood Care Center, The Pines, and The Manor assisted living facilities.
Together, we are GRATEFUL to be a part of the communities we serve.
🌽Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at your Lakewood Health System family!🧡💙
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11/26/2025
✨PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT ✨This week, we shine a spotlight on Marissa Baumgartner, a physician assistant who is part of Lakewood’s care management team!
A Henning native, Marissa attended Bethel University. She brings experience from emergency medicine and a passion for caring for the whole patient. In her role, she supports patients after hospital discharge, provides follow-up care in the clinic, and collaborates with our care management team on population health services.
Marissa and her husband, CJ, have one son and love raising their family where they grew up. When she’s not at work, you’ll find Marissa at the lake, with family or cheering on Minnesota sports teams and the NDSU Bison.
We’re thrilled to have Marissa on the Lakewood team! 🧡💙
11/25/2025
Lakewood is thrilled to share that Kendra Petersen, RN, and Lakewood Care Center Certified Nursing Instructor and Onboarding Coordinator, has been awarded the “Employee of the Year” by Care Providers of Minnesota.
Kendra was honored Nov. 10 at the organization’s statewide convention in Prior Lake. Nominated by Kathy Dobson, Vice President of Senior Services, Kendra was recognized for her leadership, compassion and the incredible impact she has made on workforce development and Memory Care at Lakewood.
In the midst of statewide CNA shortages, Kendra stepped up with innovation and heart. She became approved by the Minnesota Department of Health to provide on-site CNA test-out services and developed Lakewood’s in-house CNA training program — opening doors for employees and local high school students to begin meaningful careers in healthcare.
Kendra has also helped create a strong healthcare pipeline for youth by partnering with area schools and expanding training opportunities to nearby districts.
Alongside her teaching role, Kendra serves as the RN Coordinator for our Memory Care unit, where she is known for her calm leadership, compassion and dedication to residents and their families.
Her colleagues describe her as kind, positive, patient and “the type of nurse you’d want caring for your own loved ones.”
Kendra says receiving this award is an honor made possible by the mentors who guided her, the leaders who supported her, and the students who inspire her every day.
“Teaching with heart really matters to me. Watching students grow in confidence — often with no prior healthcare experience — and settle into a career they love is the best reward of all.”
Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition for Kendra Petersen. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our Lakewood family. 🧡💙
11/25/2025
🧡 MYTH : Hospice Care is only for cancer patients.
💙 FACT: Many patients with cancer do utilize hospice care when a cure is no longer expected. But many others can also live more comfortably with hospice care. It is a great care option for patients with other chronic, life-limiting conditions. Some examples include (but definitely aren’t limited to):
🔶 Alzheimer’s disease, or any other form of dementia
🔷 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
🔶 Cardiac disease
🔷 Liver disease
🔶 Parkinson’s disease
🔷 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Several Lakewood team members serve as volunteers at Staples-Motley Elementary. These simple moments of connection make a big difference for students AND for our Lakewood team members who LOVE helping these kiddos with reading and socialization.❤️
We’re grateful for the opportunity to support Sparks Mentoring. What a meaningful way to start our week! 🧡💙
11/24/2025
🎉It's Monday! That means we share upcoming Lakewood Happenings as well as what's going on this holiday season in our community. 🧡💙
🔷 Longbella Drug's Holiday Sale
Now through Nov. 27 | The Plaza in Staples
* WoodWick Candles – 40% off.
* All Fall and Thanksgiving decor – 50% off.
🔶 Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery class
Every Tuesday & Thursday | 12-1 p.m.
** NO CLASS on NOV. 27. Open to anyone with Parkinson’s and their caregiver, this exercise class helps improve and restore everyday movements at Lakewood’s rehab department. No cost, thanks to the Lakewood Foundation. Call (218) 894-8427 to attend.
🔷 Walk With A Doc
Every Thursday | 5:15 p.m.
**NO WALK on NOV. 27. Meet at Staples main campus entrance and enjoy a stroll around our beautiful campus and learn about a medical topic from one of our medical staff.
🔶 Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. | Sibling Preparation Class
Fun and educational for kids welcoming a new baby! Held at Lakewood's Main Campus. Register here: https://shorturl.at/hkzAZ
🔷 Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.| Essentials of Breastfeeding Class
Learn tips for successful nursing, for new parents and as a refresher. Held at Lakewood's Main Campus. Register here: https://shorturl.at/0mqOy
🔶 Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. | 30th annual Season of Lights
Held at Sourcewell in Staples, honoring Lakewood hospice and palliative care patients. All are welcome to attend this beautiful ceremony.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:
🦃 Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Nov. 27 | 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. | Timbers Event Center
A free Thanksgiving meal open to everyone—families, individuals, seniors, and newcomers. Enjoy good food and warm company. Please register at Discover Staples to ensure enough meals are prepared: https://rb.gy/2yjswe
🎄 Lights in the Pines
Nov. 28–Dec. 28 | 5–8 p.m. | Pine Grove Park, Staples
Drive through magical Christmas light displays among the pines. Open Fridays–Sundays starting Thanksgiving weekend. Vans welcome. Freewill offering.
✨ Staples Holiday Parade of Lights
Nov. 29 | 5:30 p.m.
Kick off the holidays at Staples’ annual Parade of Lights! Free to attend and free to enter a lighted float. Register at staplesevents56479@gmail.com or visit the Chamber's page at: Staples Chamber of Commerce.
🚂 Polar XPress Holiday Festival
Dec. 13–14 | 12–4 p.m. both days | Central Lakes College
Shop local vendors and enjoy family fun — crafts, games, rides, Santa photos, and large G-scale model trains. Free admission. Vendors may email stapleschambermarketing@gmail.com to register.
11/24/2025
⭐Congratulations to November STAR Award recipient, Tarissa Halvorson, Radiology Tech! ⭐
Tarissa was nominated by Amanda Svir, RN, for her outstanding dedication and initiative in the Radiology Department.
Although new to the department, Tarissa has quickly demonstrated the values Lakewood holds at its core. Her nomination highlighted two recent situations where late-notice call-ins created staffing challenges that could have impacted patient care.
Instead of letting disruption take over, Tarissa took initiative, reviewing the current schedule, identifying opportunities to shift roles and modalities, and presenting a solution that would allow the team to work together to cover open shifts without having to cancel patients.
Her thoughtful approach and commitment to quality made a meaningful difference, and ultimately, her proposed solution was the one the team moved forward with, said Svir in her nomination letter.
Please join us in congratulating Tarissa, on her well-deserved recognition. 👏
📸 Pictured at the presentation: Missy Lindow, Chief of Operations; Ashley Ayers, CMA; Tarissa; TJ McCall, Director of Radiology & Rehab; Amanda Svir, RN, Radiology; and Lisa Bjerga, President & CEO.
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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.
