CentraCare

06/10/2026

Talk about a legend-dairy welcome! 🥛🐄

The Dairy Princesses from Benton, Todd and Wright counties helped celebrate the first babies born during Dairy Month in June at our St. Cloud, Long Prairie and Monticello hospitals.

Families were surprised with dairy-themed gift baskets to mark the special occasion. We think that's a pretty moo-velous way to celebrate a new arrival.

Please join us in congratulating these families on their udderly adorable new arrivals - the cream of this year's Dairy Month crop!

06/10/2026

CentraCare Heart & Vascular has successfully completed Minnesota’s first commercial implant of the Cordella™️ device, led by cardiologist Jamie Pelzel, MD.

CentraCare played a key role in the early clinical research of this innovative, at-home heart failure monitoring system, supporting its progression to widespread availability today. The Heart Center Research team continues to follow Cordella patients through an ongoing study.

“Millions of people live with congestive heart failure, which can significantly impact quality of life and lead to frequent hospitalizations,” said Dr. Pelzel. “Cordella enables us to remotely monitor pulmonary artery pressure and daily vital signs, allowing us to intervene before symptoms develop. This proactive approach can improve quality of life and significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization.”

The implant of Cordella into the pulmonary artery — the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs — is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, with most patients returning home the same day.

Front row, left to right - Annmarie Scully, Device Rep; Kevin Irlbeck, Device Rep; Jamie Pelzel, MD; Milissa McDuffee, APRN CNP; Diane Nelson, Device Rep

Back row, left to right - Shaina Krey, Cardiovascular Tech; Chris Hoeschen, Cath Lab RN; Courtney Brever, PA-C; Vince Baert, Cardiovascular Tech

CentraCare works to provide comprehensive, high-quality health care, close to home.

06/09/2026

From oversized water bottles to apps that remind us to drink every hour, it can feel like we're constantly being told to drink more water. But how much do we actually need?

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/how-much-water-do-you-really-need/

06/08/2026

When sitting becomes a large part of the day, certain muscles start to change. The effects are often subtle at first. Over time, this can place more stress on your joints and make everyday movement less comfortable.

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/articles-stories/your-body-wasnt-built-to-sit-all-day/

06/05/2026

Our MedSpa is moving to the CentraCare Plaza at the end of June! This means a refreshed space designed for your comfort, with the same trusted team and an elevated experience. We look forward to welcoming you to the new space!

06/04/2026

Do you have fall sports players in your house? The Minnesota State High School League requires an updated physical every three years.

If your child needs a sports physical, now is the best time to schedule a well-child appointment with your child's primary care provider.

For more details on scheduling your appointment, visit: www.centracare.com/services/pediatrics/sports-physicals/

06/04/2026

It was 35 years ago this week (June 6, 1991) that St. Cloud Hospital broke ground and announced plans to build a new Medical Plaza.

This large facility would connect the hospital and St. Cloud Clinic of Internal Medicine (now CentraCare - River Campus) and house expanded specialty services, new outpatient centers and leased medical offices.

The plan for this project changed following further review and the demolition of the old Health Services Building and would become the South Building at St. Cloud Hospital.

This change paved the way for the building of the CentraCare Plaza less than a decade later.

Pictured from left to right are: Sister Mary Reuter, corporate board member, Rev. Daniel Taufen, corporate board member, Chuck Winkelman, mayor of St. Cloud, Sister Dolores Super, chair of the Board of Directors, James J. Hansen, MD, chief of staff, Paul Gray, senior vice president, and John Frobenius, president of St. Cloud Hospital.

06/04/2026

Glenwood newlyweds, Kenny and Marlene, looked forward to building a life together, farming side by side and walking the beach in winter. But Kenny’s shortness of breath began to stand in the way of those plans. Because of his age and multiple significant blocked arteries, he was not a candidate for open-heart surgery. His physician referred him to the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center to explore other options.

There, cardiologist Stephen Kidd, MD, recommended a minimally invasive approach, inserting stents with the support of an Impella heart pump. During the procedure, the device temporarily assisted the heart’s pumping function, maintaining blood flow to vital organs while the blockages were opened.

The procedure was successful. Kenny returned home the next day and this spring, he was back in his fields, planting his crops.

Watch his story.

06/03/2026

Meet our newest CentraCare Neurosciences Headache team member—Julia Rotter, CNP! Julia shared why she is passionate about working with her patients, saying, "It is incredibly rewarding to see improvements in daily functioning and overall quality of life."

Learn more: https://www.centracare.com/doctors/profile/julia-rotter/

06/02/2026

See the frames everyone is wearing. Amber, an optician at CentraCare Eye Center, will show you the latest trends and how to get the look.