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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03/19/2026
Lakewood employee Amy Balk and her son Camden met up with ultra runner Noah Coughlan near the Motley golf course yesterday afternoon. He finished his day in Staples.
Coughlan is undertaking his fifth run in the past 15 years, a journey he calls “Run for America: A Tribute to the American People.” This journey began Oct. 18, 2025, and will conclude July 4 in Hawaii, totaling 5,500 miles across 20 States.
It’s just him, a jogging stroller with supplies, and an 8-foot pole with an American flag. He will become only the third person ever to have crossed all 50 States on foot. Coughlan hopes to complete a documentary chronicling his story in 2027.
03/18/2026
If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you don’t have to walk this road alone.
Lakewood’s weekly grief support group offers a gentle, confidential space to share (only if you wish), listen, and find comfort alongside others who understand. Come to one session or all. Sessions are facilitated by Lakewood's Chaplain Paul Johnson and Social Worker Lindsay Kirk.
Join our weekly Grief Support Group on Tuesdays, starting on March 31 to May 4 from 3–4:30 p.m. at the Main Campus in Classroom A.
☎️ For information or to register, contact Chaplain Paul at (218) 894-8093.
03/18/2026
🧡 Faces Behind the Care 💙 Andrea Wiersgalla
Exceptional care begins with exceptional team members across every department at Lakewood. And when it comes to hearty meals and warm smiles, Andrea stands out — she takes pride in being part of Nutrition Services at our Main Campus.
⭐️ Tell us a little about what you do.
ANDREA: "In my role, I prep food for meals, cook breakfast and lunch specials. I've been at LHS for 13 years now."
⭐️ Favorite part of your job?
ANDREA: "I enjoy every part of my job and take pride in the work I do!"
⭐️ Why are you proud to work at Lakewood?
ANDREA: "I enjoy everyone who visits The Grille and serving the community."
⭐️ What’s something people might be surprised to learn about what you do in your job?
ANDREA: "I am Food Safe-certified and follow all food safety regulations. I monitor food temperatures, track par levels of meals served (make sure they don't run out of food), and ensure cooking and cooling procedures are followed."
⭐️ One word to describe Lakewood?
ANDREA: "Compassionate"
⭐️ Favorite food you like to prepare in The Grille?
ANDREA: "I enjoy cooking all types of food, but I especially enjoy making soups."
⭐️ Favorite movie or TV show?
ANDREA: "Outlander"
⭐️ What do you enjoy outside of work?
ANDREA: "Camping and 4-wheeling with my family."
⭐️ What’s one thing you’re grateful for right now?
ANDREA: "My family."
We're grateful for our incredible team members like Andrea who make Lakewood what it is. 🧡💙
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03/18/2026
🌲Lakewood Pines assisted living has apartment OPENINGS now available.
Enjoy independence with the comfort, security, and peace of mind that comes from personalized care — all in a warm, welcoming, community-centered environment in Staples, Minn.
📞Contact Alexis at (218) 894-4460 for more details or to schedule a tour.
Got cabin fever? 🚶♀️👩🦽We invite you to join us for an indoor walk, along with a chance to meet Dr. Adrianne Moen and other walkers, at our weekly "Walk With A Doc" on Thursday, March 19 at Lakewood's Main Campus in Staples.
👉 Meet at the Main Entrance at 5:15 p.m. Dr. Moen will speak on a health topic midway through the walk.
Hope to see you there! 👋
🧡💙
03/18/2026
☘️ Lenny the Lakewood Leprechaun made a special St. Patrick’s Day visit to Labor & Delivery this evening, sharing a sweet moment with baby Bentley — one of our newest little blessings.💚 ✨
Welcome to the world, Bentley! ☘️💚🍼
☘️
03/17/2026
More than 70 Lakewood nurses participated in a hands-on Nursing Skills Training today at our Main Campus in Staples.
The training is an important part of staying up to date, confident and ready to care for every patient who walks through our doors.
Several interactive stations provided training on such skills as IV starts, blood administration, patient lifts, wound care, full skin assessments and more.
“The hands-on part is really valuable. It ensures our nurses are not only knowledgeable, but confident in what they do every day,” said Crystal Kapphahn, RN Staff Development Coordinator, who organizes these trainings three times a year.
03/17/2026
☘️ Today, Lakewood President & CEO Lisa Bjerga and Lenny the Lakewood Leprechaun brought a wee bit of shenanigans to Lakewood — spreading joy, handing out candy, and brightening the day for staff and patients.
It’s moments like these that remind us how truly special and 💚lucky💚 we are to be part of the Lakewood family!
☘️Happy St. Patrick’s Day!☘️
03/17/2026
From wellness classes and a grief support group to free CPAP & Mask Checks, Lakewood is here to support your health at every stage.
MARCH:
🔶 Every Tues. & Thurs., 12-1 p.m. | Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery class
Open to anyone with Parkinson’s and their caregiver, this exercise class helps improve everyday movements. Held at Lakewood’s rehab dept. No cost, thanks to the Lakewood Foundation. For info, call (218) 894-8427.
🔷 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays,12:30 p.m. | Joint Replacement Pre-Op Class
This class is for patients having a knee, hip or shoulder replacement at Lakewood. Learn what to expect before, during and after surgery and questions answered by Twin Cities Orthopedics therapy team. Held at TCO Therapy–Staples.
🔶 Every Thursday, 5:15 p.m. | Walk With A Doc
Join us for movement and healthy conversations with a provider. Meet at Main Entrance for an indoor walk.
🔷 March 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Prepared Childbirth Class
For expectant parents, fifth to eighth month, prepare for labor and delivery at Lakewood. Held at Main Campus. Register here: https://shorturl.at/3oR7z
🔶 March 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Free CPR & AED Training
Join us for a practical training session that will give attendees skills that could help save a life. No cost to attend, no experience necessary, and open to all ages. No RSVP required. Any questions, call (218) 894-8010.
🔷 March 31-May 5, 3-4:30 p.m. | Grief Support Session
Lakewood kicks off its spring session of their grief support group, every Tuesday for six weeks. Facilitated by Chaplain Paul Johnson and Social Worker Lindsay Kirk. To register, contact Johnson at (218) 894-8093.
APRIL:
🔷 April 1, 5:30-8 p.m.| Essentials of Breastfeeding Class
Learn tips for successful nursing for new parents and as a refresher. Held at Main Campus. Register at: https://shorturl.at/ZpFYu
🔶 April 6, 6-7:30 p.m. | Sibling Preparation Class
Fun and educational for kids welcoming a new baby sibling. Held at Main Campus. Register at: https://shorturl.at/26Ejx
🔷 April 7, 6-8 p.m. | Grandparents Class
Topics covered include CPR, car seat safety, SIDS guidelines and the latest in feeding techniques for infants. Held at Main Campus. Register at (218) 894-8525 or https://shorturl.at/kQTts
🔶 April 13-17 | CPAP & Mask Checks
Lakewood's Medical Marketplace is hosting FREE CPAP & Mask Checks. If you’re waking up groggy, mask leaks, dryness or discomfort, or if your pressure feels too low or too high, a check could make a difference. Schedule your free appointment at Staples at (218) 894-8482 or Long Prairie, call (320) 732-3051.
🔷 April 24, 5-8 p.m. | GIVE ORANGE Fundraiser + Auction
Tickets are on sale for Lakewood Foundation’s GIVE ORANGE, an evening featuring live and silent auctions, raffle, and opportunities to support care initiatives at LHS. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with social hour, followed by heavy appetizers at 6 p.m. and the program/auction from 7–8 p.m. Visit onecau.se/giveorange to learn more or become a sponsor.
03/16/2026
👉 Just a gentle REMINDER to put this on your calendar! No RSVP is required, but if you have questions, call (218) 894-8010. 🧡💙
🚑💕 Lakewood will be offering a free CPR and AED training to the public on Thursday, March 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The training will take place in the lower-level classrooms at Lakewood’s Main Campus (49725 County 83, Staples).
Lakewood EMS and education team members will provide hands-on education and practice on how to perform hands-only CPR, how to confidently use an AED, and what to do in the first critical moments of a cardiac emergency.
Join us for a fast, engaging, and practical training session that will give attendees real-world skills that could help save a life.
There is no cost to attend the training, no experience is necessary, and people of all ages are encouraged to attend.
👉 PLEASE NOTE: This training is educational only and does not include CPR certification.
No RSVP is required. But if you have questions, call (218) 894-8010.
03/16/2026
Today, we're talking with Dr. Ryan Kroll, a family medicine provider, who shares why staying active matters at every stage of life — and how Lakewood's comprehensive movement-based care helps patients regain strength, mobility and confidence. 🧡💙
03/16/2026
🧡 Meet Your Providers 💙 This week, we are highlighting Amber Rasinski, a family nurse practitioner at Lakewood.
Amber cares for residents, tenants, and patients at Lakewood Care Center, Lakewood Pines, Lakewood Manor, Harmony House in Motley, Riverside assisted living in Pillager, and Clarissa Care Center.
Amber also completes home visits for those that are homebound or have difficulty getting to the clinic for hospital follow-ups or routine care.
A native of Staples, Amber began working at Lakewood in 2007 as a Certified Nursing Assistant and eventually became a Registered Nurse and provided care in Home Care and Hospice.
Amber and her husband, Travis, have two children. Together, they own and operate R&R Ranch where they raise registered balancer beef cattle. In her spare time, Amber enjoys spending time with family, hunting, fishing, gardening, supporting her kids playing sports, and volunteering with Special Olympics of Minnesota.
We’re grateful to have Amber on the Lakewood team, providing exceptional, personalized care.
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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.
