Mille Lacs Health System

12/22/2025

❄️ Holiday Travel Tips to Stay Safe on Winter Roads

The holiday season brings busy roads, winter weather, and shorter daylight hours, all of which can increase driving risks. Taking a few extra precautions can help keep you, your passengers, and others safe while traveling this winter.

Before heading out, make sure your vehicle is winter-ready, allow extra travel time, and adjust driving habits to road conditions. Slowing down, avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts, and planning ahead to avoid impaired driving can all help prevent crashes. In rural areas, where many Minnesota crashes occur, caution is especially important during the winter months.

Read our full article: https://bit.ly/3LfajRp

12/19/2025

Mille Lacs Health System has added new rapid molecular testing technology to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce wait times for patients. The MLHS Laboratory recently implemented a Cepheid GeneXpert system, allowing highly sensitive PCR testing for several common respiratory illnesses to be performed onsite.

This technology supports rapid testing for strep throat, as well as a 4-Plex respiratory panel that detects Influenza A, Influenza B, COVID-19, and RSV from a single sample, with results typically available in about an hour.

Faster, onsite testing helps patients receive timely diagnoses and appropriate treatment, especially during the winter months when respiratory illnesses are circulating widely.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/44EbZdT

Pictured (L–R): MLHS Laboratory team members Christy, Beverly, Bonnie, Joan, and Kendal, with the new Cepheid GeneXpert analyzer.

12/17/2025

🎄 Our clinics and pharmacies will have limited hours for the upcoming holidays.

Family Medicine Clinics:
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, open 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, CLOSED
The Emergency Department in Onamia is open 24/7.

Mille Lacs Health System Community Pharmacies in Isle & Onamia:
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, open 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, CLOSED

Clinics & Pharmacies CLOSED on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1.

Happy Holidays!

12/16/2025

🎄 Employee Gingerbread House Contest

As part of our holiday festivities, Mille Lacs Health System employees showcased their creativity in this year’s Gingerbread House Contest. We had 13 entries, each with its own creative style.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:
🥇 1st Place: House #1 – “Two Points of Contact”
🥈 2nd Place: House #12 – “Try Icing It”
🥉 3rd Place: House #5 – “Gone Fishing”

We appreciate the creativity and holiday spirit that everyone brought to this activity.

12/12/2025

💙 Diabetes Support Group – Thursday, December 18

The holiday season can be stressful as routines change. Join us for Surviving the Holidays, a supportive discussion focused on sharing practical tips to help you stay on track with diabetes management during this busy time.

📅 Date & Time: Thursday, December 18, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Key Contributor Conference Room, Mille Lacs Health System – Onamia Campus

If you cannot attend in person, please email diabetes@mlhealth.org to request virtual access.

Led by Jayme Westling, PharmD, BC-ADM, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. All are welcome. No registration required.

12/10/2025

The Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation has fulfilled its $75,000 pledge for the new MLHS ambulance and is beginning its next effort: raising $50,000 for the Surgery Department remodel and $50,000 for clinic improvements, starting with the Isle Clinic. A $100,000 donation match is available for all gifts received by January 10. Our match campaign is currently at $19,000 out of $100,000 so please consider making a donation!

The Isle Clinic project will refresh interiors, enhance patient spaces, update reception and lab areas, and improve essential building systems while keeping the clinic open throughout construction.

Foundation Director Jamie Root-Larsen (pictured) emphasized that this campaign supports long-term rural healthcare and doubles the impact of every gift. The Foundation is also celebrating a milestone year, contributing more than $220,000 in 2025 to MLHS needs and community programs.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4q6iApQ

To support the Foundation’s work, visit: www.mlahf.org or call 320-532-2604.

12/09/2025

🎉 Start the New Year by Giving the Gift of Life

Begin 2026 with an act of kindness. The next American Red Cross blood drive, sponsored by Mille Lacs Health System, will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Holy Cross Center, located on the MLHS campus in Onamia.

Schedule your appointment: RedCrossBlood.org
Enter sponsor code: Mille Lacs
Or call: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Note: When scheduling online, select “Choose My Dates” and make sure January 2 is highlighted to view available appointments.

Thank you for supporting lifesaving care in our community as we begin the new year.

12/05/2025

🗓️ Dec. 5 is National Communicate With Your Kids Day!

It’s a great reminder to slow down, check in, and strengthen those everyday connections that matter most. Meaningful conversations don’t have to be long or complicated, just intentional.

Here are a few simple ways to start the conversation:
• Ask a “rose and thorn” question: What was the best and hardest part of their day?
• Take a 5-minute walk-and-talk: A quick stroll can make kids more willing to open up.
• Share a favorite memory: Then ask them to share one of theirs.
• Play “Would You Rather?” Fun questions can break the ice and lead to deeper ones.
• Create a tech-free moment: Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted attention goes a long way.

Taking time to talk and listen helps build trust, confidence, and stronger family connections. 💬❤️

12/04/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring: Clinical Assistants Needed
Mille Lacs Health System is seeking Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) to support patient care in our clinic setting. These roles are essential to delivering quality care and maintaining smooth clinical operations.
We currently have:
🔹 Part-time and full-time openings
🔹 Day shift with rotating weekends
🔹 Wage range: $22.09 – $33.14/hour

Clinics Located in: Onamia, Isle, Hillman, Garrison, & Milaca
If you’re ready to contribute to a high-quality patient care team, we invite you to apply.
To view open positions, visit our Careers page and search “Clinical Assistant.”
🔗 https://mlhealth.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Join Mille Lacs Health System Today!Welcome to Mille Lacs Health System, central Minnesota’s prime vacation spot and healthcare employment destination. You can find your place here, amidst our teams of professionals who are all committed to one thing: being the best place to give and receive care.

12/03/2025

Reminder: Submit Your Tree of Lights Dedications by Sunday, December 7

There is still time to honor or remember a loved one through the Mille Lacs Health System Auxiliary’s Tree of Lights. The deadline for name submissions is Sunday, December 7. Each dedication is included in the annual Holiday Memorial Service on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. in the MLHS Chapel.

A $10 donation per name supports this meaningful community tradition.
Donate here: https://www.mlahf.org/tree-of-lights

12/01/2025

Stop by the MLHS - Onamia main lobby on Wed., Dec. 3 from 10:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. to shop the Craft Fair from 13+ MLHS staff vendors. Open to everyone! Cash recommended!

Come celebrate the creativity of the talented MLHS team! They have 13 "vendors" bringing their goods to sell in the MLHS main lobby on Wed., Dec. 3rd, 10:00 - 2:00pm. Open to all!

12/01/2025

Diabetes Care at MLHS 🩺

At Mille Lacs Health System, we are proud to highlight Jayme Westling, PharmD, BC-ADM, our Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. With more than 20 years of pharmacy experience, Jayme supports patients by reviewing lifestyle changes, interpreting continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump data, and adjusting medications through a collaborative practice agreement with MLHS providers.

She also leads a monthly diabetes support group at the Onamia campus, typically held on the fourth Thursday of each month. Sessions are informal, focus on real-life highs and lows, and explore a new diabetes-related topic each month. The schedule, virtual attendance details, and our Basics of Diabetes guide are available on the Diabetes Education page at mlhealth.org.

Watch this full video to hear Jayme share more about the support she provides, and contact her at 320-532-2337 or diabetes@mlhealth.org for more information.