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LRHC celebrates new providers [UPDATED]
Published 10:48am Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Updated 10:48am Tuesday, November 29, 2011Monday night was an evening of celebration for Lake Region Healthcare, as the organization hosted its celebration of life tree lighting and a reception for all of the new health care professionals that have joined LRHC in the last 14 months. In that time, the organization has hired 21 medical providers.
“The community said they wanted more access, and we’re taking steps to do that,” said Larry Schulz, CEO of LRHC.
The organization’s expansion isn’t done yet. LRHC’s new urgent care center in Fergus Falls is slated to open Feb. 1 of next year, and Schulz said there are other opportunities for growth in the future.
“We’re continually recruiting in patient care and urgent care and some other areas,” he said.
Several of LRHC’s new providers were in attendance at the reception, Christine Cabrera and Paula Tofte among them. Cabrera, a Fergus Falls native who has spent the last several years in San Diego, will be running the urgent care center, and Tofte is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who started at LRHC in July.
“Everyone is really supportive,” said Tofte of the atmosphere. “There’s a lot of collaboration between the medical and psychiatry teams … and it’s very (helpful).”
“I think (the urgent care center) is going to be great service to the community,” added Cabrera, explaining that the center will cut down on the amount of unnecessary emergency room visits by allowing people who need non-emergency care quickly to simply come to the care center.
“I can’t wait to get started,” she said.
The celebration also honored the contributions the late Rev. William Colbeck made to Lake Region’s foundation as a board member. The star on LRHC’s tree was lit in his honor, and a plaque of appreciation was presented to his family.
