On Thursday, Dec. 12 The City of Springfield announced a new partnership with Allina Health. Pictured L-R are  Joe Stremcha, City Manager, City Councilwoman Dr. Theresa Beckman, New Ulm Medial Center President Toby Freier, and Dr. Andrew Reeves, Neurology, New Ulm Medical Center.

City of Springfield announces partnership with Allina Health

Last Thursday, The City of Springfield announced that Allina Health has been selected as its new health care provider to continue serving patients in the region with comprehensive services that are fully integrated with a nationally recognized health care system.

“There were a lot of statistics that the community had a lot of deep roots and connectivity with the New Ulm Medical Center,” said Joe Stremcha, City Manager.

As city leaders, it was our obligation to identify a long-term partner that we know will provide high-quality care for the people of Springfield well into the future, and we are pleased we didn’t need to look very far, said Stremcha,. “Allina Health and New Ulm Medical Center have been integral to health care in our area for decades, and we believe the decision to partner with Allina Health will help our residents to receive comprehensive services that are connected to New Ulm Medical Center,” said Stremcha. 

The announcement came approximately a week after the Mayo Clinic Health System announced that they will close its facilities in Springfield and Lamberton on March 1, 2020.  

Under the agreement, Allina Health will assume operations of the Mayo Clinic Health System located at 625 N. Jackson Ave. when they vacate the site in March. Services provided will include primary care, specialty care consultations, telehealth/virtual visits, medical imaging, lab, and rehabilitation services. Allina Health will also expand its partnership with St John’s Lutheran Home to provide care for residents, and will engage the community to explore new partnerships for health improvement and Emergency Medical Services support.

“The Springfield City Council is excited to welcome Allina Health to our community. In this time of change we look forward to the opportunities this partnership will afford both parties,” said, City Councilwoman Dr. Theresa Beckman.

She further explained, that the City Council has unanimously voted, based on the community’s input, trends and sustainability of Allina to afford the level of care we have come to expect. 

“We are committed to make this time of transition as seamless as possible,”  said Dr. Beckman. She also thanked the current staff at Mayo saying, “Our current staff has really elevated our level of care for generations and we hope to minimize the impact of this transition.”

“Allina Health is excited and honored to be joining the Springfield community,” said Toby Freier, president, New Ulm Medical Center, Allina Health. “Many Springfield residents have received care and service from New Ulm Medical Center, Minneapolis Heart Institute and Allina Health for years, so this opportunity is a comfortable fit for all of us.”

The City of Springfield is welcoming Allina Health with a Public Meet and Greet. This is an excellent opportunity to visit with both the City and Allina Health leaders. The Meet and Greet will be today, Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 3-5 p.m. at the Springfield Area Community Center located at 33 South Cass Ave.  

New Ulm Medical Center is a nationally recognized community hospital. It was named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health for the eighth time in nine years. The Minnesota Hospital Association has also named New Ulm Medical Center a “Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace.”

The Allina Health clinic in Springfield plans to be fully operational in spring 2020.

 

See complete story in this week's issue of the Springfield Advance-Press.

Springfield Advance-Press

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