Sleepy Eye Medical Center

01/23/2026

We’re growing--and hiring! Join our team as a Clinic LPN or CMA!

01/23/2026

We’re proud to cheer on two of our own, Drs. Karlyn and Adam Armbruster, as they take part in 2B Continued’s Dancing Like the Stars fundraiser!

This event supports su***de prevention, mental health awareness, education, and vital resources right here in our region—including Teen Mental Health First Aid in local schools.

If you’d like to support this important cause, you’re invited to attend, donate, or vote for the Armbrusters through 2B CONTINUED. Tickets are purchased individually through the event website. Note: Only 115 remain!

Let’s keep showing up for mental health—and for one another.

*Tickets: https://2bcontinued.thundertix.com/events/257532
*Vote for Drs. Karlyn and Adam: https://bit.ly/45r01oe

01/19/2026

🎉Celebrating Service, Dedication, and Excellence🎉

At our Christmas Party on Saturday, we had the pleasure of recognizing and thanking the incredible team members who reached milestone anniversaries this year. (While not all honorees were present, each one plays an important role in the care we provide!)

1 Year of Service
-Steven Muckenhirn
-Maria Gonzalez
-Jessica Cron
-Tamara Kinzler
-Sarah Myers
-Donna Sellner
-Sarah Reinarts
-Kelsie Kosak

5 Years of Service
-Timothy Joyce
-Shelby Carlson
-Madesen Fromm
-Nicole Forsyth
-Danielle Bruns
-Alexis Deibele
-Jennifer Hillestad

10 Years of Service
-Melissa Mude
-Jill Pauly
-Josie Hacker
-Ariel Brandl
-Amanda Krenz

15 Years of Service
-Chiloe Kottke
-Heather Schauman
-Lori Bernier

20 Years of Service
-Heather Anderson

25 Years of Service
-Cindy Krueger
-Tina Labat

Thank you for all you do—and congratulations to each of you!

Pictured (left to right): Steve Muckenhirn, Tina Labat, Jill Pauly, Heather Schauman, Sarah Reinarts, Shelby Carslon, & Josie Hacker

01/19/2026

🌟 Congratulations to our 2025 Employee of the Year, Josie Hacker! 🌟

We are proud to recognize Josie Hacker, our Discharge Planner and Swing Bed Coordinator, as Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s 2025 Employee of the Year—an honor announced at our Christmas Party on Saturday evening.

With many years of experience as an RN, Josie brings compassion, clinical expertise, and a deep understanding of patient care to everything she does. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt daily by patients, coworkers, and providers.

Josie’s leadership and attention to detail help ensure smooth transitions of care and have played a key role in the growth of our swing-bed program—allowing more patients to stay close to home while enhancing patient experience and satisfaction.

What truly sets Josie apart is her heart. She is loyal, invested, and always willing to step in where needed. From supporting patients through rehabilitation to providing comfort and dignity at life’s most difficult moments, Josie cares for people across the entire continuum with skill, grace, and compassion.

One employee nomination captured it perfectly: “If you were sick, having a baby, in the ER, or had a loved one in the ER, Josie is the caregiver you would want by your side.”

Josie embodies our mission of improving lives through quality healthcare, and we are grateful for the difference she makes every day. Please join us in congratulating Josie Hacker, our 2025 Employee of the Year!

01/16/2026

We welcomed Anatomy and Physiology students from Sleepy Eye Public Schools and Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Catholic School to our facility on Tuesday. Students had the opportunity to tour our spaces, learn about a variety of healthcare careers, connect with our team members, and enjoy some hands-on learning along the way. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with such curious and motivated students!

01/15/2026

Flu season is here, Brown County! Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy with simple steps like handwashing, staying home when sick, and getting your flu shot. Check out these tips (and more) here:

What We're Seeing in Our Community Like many communities this time of year, Brown County is seeing an increase in seasonal illnesses such as influenza and

01/12/2026

Today is National Pharmacist Day, and we’re grateful to celebrate Leah Fischer, our Pharmacy Manager! 💊

Leah always has the best interests of our patients at heart and is deeply committed to safety, staff education, and supporting our care teams. As Pharmacy Manager, she leads with expertise, collaboration, and a strong focus on medication safety and management—making a daily impact on both patient care and staff support.

She’s always willing to lend a helping hand and is a crucial piece of the puzzle when it comes to patient care at SEMC.

We also extend a sincere thank-you to Pharmacist Nikki Heiderscheidt, who supports our pharmacy services as well. Her knowledge, dedication, and behind-the-scenes contributions play an important role in the care we provide!

01/05/2026

✨ Welcome, Adaline! ✨

Kelly Kilpatrick Wendt and Heath Wendt of Sanborn, MN, welcomed their daughter Adaline on January 2, 2026, at 9:11 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz and measured 20.5 inches long. Adaline, SEMC’s first baby of 2026, was delivered by Dr. Karlyn Armbruster.

Some moments feel perfectly timed… “American Girl” by Tom Petty was playing as she made her grand entrance!

➡️ Read the full story here: https://semedicalcenter.org/semc-welcomes-first-baby-of-2026/

Congratulations to the Wendt family on their special New Year arrival! And thank you, Kelly and Heath, for trusting SEMC to be part of this special journey.

12/31/2025

As we welcome a new year, we pause with gratitude for the year behind us.

We are honored to serve the patients and communities who place their trust in us through life’s most meaningful moments—from births and milestones to illness, healing, and times of loss. It is a privilege to walk alongside you.

This past year brought growth, change, challenges, and triumphs. Throughout it all, our commitment to caring for our patients continued to guide us. We strive to provide care that is personal, compassionate, and supported by thoughtful investments in our people, services, and technology—close to home.

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we’re excited by what the future holds and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this community.

Wishing you and your family a new year filled with health, hope, and moments of genuine joy.

12/29/2025

Due to weather conditions, all clinic locations will open at 1 p.m. today, December 29.

Emergency Services remain open and available 24/7.

Please stay safe and warm. Any additional updates will be shared here, as needed.

12/22/2025

Our holiday hours can be found below! Our emergency department remains open 24/7.

Wishing you and yours a healthy and safe holiday season! May your days be merry and bright!

https://semedicalcenter.org/christmas-and-holiday-hours-at-semc/

12/18/2025

A quick winter reminder: bulky coats and car seats don’t mix. Removing your child’s coat before buckling them in helps ensure a snug, safe fit.

Wearing winter coats in the car during the colder months can be dangerous for babies and young kids. If you get into an accident, the fluffy padding in a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness and putting children at risk of being thrown from their seat. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3c2iQ4V