The event was called “Rediscover your hospital,” to promote some of the new services and visions of CentraCare.

 

The tour began just outside the building in the Healing Garden. Michelle Redding, development director with CentraCare, said the garden is a place of healing and reflection.

 

“It’s used by the whole campus,” she said.

 

The garden features a cascading waterfall, walking path and a sloping wall covered with stones that have names or messages inscribe on them.

 

“Anyone in the community can purchase a stone with an inspirational message or to memorialize or honor a loved one,” said Redding.

 

The tour moved inside to the Cancer Center, where Breonna Carlson, RN, spoke about what inspired her to work with cancer patients.

 

She said during her time in nursing school, two of her family members were diagnosed with cancer.

 

“Through their journeys, I saw good care and bad care. I decided I was going to devote my career to helping cancer patients,” she said. “For the last 15 years I’ve been in oncology.”

 

She said in 2008 she saw an ad for an open house for the Monticello Cancer Center, where she applied and got a position. Now she tells patients they are in the best place they can be for care.

 

“They offer full service care in our community. They don’t need to travel to the Twin Cities,” she said. “Our care here is a little more special, more private and most of our patients become our family.”

 

In 2016, the center saw 270 newly diagnosed cancer patients, administered  1,200 chemotherapy treatments and 2,500 radiation treatments.

 

Carlson showed the group the center’s $3 million linear accelerator, a piece of equipment that delivers exact doses of radiation to cancer patients. Some patients come from other facilities, like the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic to get treatments locally.

 

“They can receive all their treatment here. We just coordinate communication with their providers,” said Carlson.

 

From there, the tour moved upstairs to the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit.

 

CentraCare’s Jennifer Smolen said the unit will work with individuals diagnosed with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attack and behaviors associated with dementia. Wearing hard hats, the group walked through the unit, which is still under construction and slated for opening in June.

 

Redding said the average stay will be 10 to 14 days, as patients transition from crisis to a more normalized environment.

 

“It is part of our life’s journey,” she said. “A lot of people think that behavioral health doesn’t affect them. The truth is, one in five of us will directly experience a  behavioral health issue or crisis in our lifetime.”

 

After the behavioral health unit tour, Melissa Pribyl, Community Wellness Specialist with CentraCare, spoke about how CentraCare is working in the community.

 

“About 80% of health care takes place outside the walls of the hospital. We have an opportunity to get out in the community and do things in our neighborhood,” she said.

 

She said some of the things CentraCare is involved in  include working on obesity by promoting physical activity, improving access to care for the uninsured and underinsured, working to help people with mental illness and increasing awareness about distracted driving.

 

“There’s a lot of work happening,” she said. “I’m very proud of CentraCare for taking part in community health and wellness.”

 

CentraCare Monticello Administrator Mary Ellen Wells thanked everyone who took part in the tour.

 

“This is a growing community and we are committed to grow with it and provide the services that each of you and your loved ones deserve,” she said. “We continue to develop new programs and services.”