Public safety officials in Otter Tail County announced Wednesday that Smart911 is now available to all individuals. Smart911 is a free service that allows residents and travelers to sign up for notifications sent from state and local public safety authorities and will provide timely and acti…
Assisted living facilities are at a high risk for coronavirus infections and deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a New York Times database finding that even though only 11% of cases occur in long-term care facilities, they account for more than a third of…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The week of May 17-23, 2020, is the 46th annual National EMS Week.
Having a baby is an exciting time, but is also a nervous time especially right now. One local physician has developed a unique approach to help women calm their anxieties as they navigate pregnancy during a pandemic.
The Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) enterprise, inclusive of Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) and Mill Street Residence (MSR), announced Thursday several temporary financial measures they’ve initiated to maintain operations and manage the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the meaning of the “front line.” It is no longer a place of guns, cannons and carnage. It is a fight being waged in quiet corridors and private rooms by men and women wearing personal protective equipment. Their fight is to preserve life wherever i…
Brian Hansel
Reporter
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The YMCA and Lake Region Healthcare have launched a new online program called the Together We Thrive Initiative aimed at helping the community get and grow through troubles of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kent Mattson is now the permanent CEO of the Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) enterprise after recent action by the organization’s board of trustees. Mattson had been appointed interim CEO last December.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and, this year, even the most resilient among us are facing extraordinary pressures and unprecedented circumstances. It’s always important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself mentally and physically, but these days some of us may need a helping hand.
The news is full of information about a variety of tests. Some tests diagnose COVID-19; others identify novel coronavirus antibodies in the blood and serum. Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) and Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) are providing some clarity about COVID-19 testing …
Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) of Elbow Lake was recently named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for patient satisfaction in the country.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz threw a lot of confusion into the dentistry profession March 27 when he used Executive Order 20-20 to declare a state of emergency in order to slow the threat of COVID-19.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C, based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers, recently released new Leapfrog Hospital safety grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide. Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) was…
Lake Region Healthcare's Foundation announced today they will be participating in the #GiveAtHomeMN virtual fundraising event, taking place May 1-8, by GiveMN.org, the organization that hosts Minnesota's Give to the Max Day.
Looking to create more peace in your life? Attend a free online Peace Building 101 class on Thursday, April 30 or Wednesday, May 6. In Peace Building 101, learn to identify basic internal needs, understand personal power to create peace, and begin to speak with clarity, confidence and compas…
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) announced the winner of its annual winter health challenge in an unusual fashion this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Forced to cancel its annual wellness Expo, LRH took to social media and announced the winner via Facebook Live on Thursday morning, the date t…
Minnesota will soon be able to test tens of thousands of people a day for COVID-19 and evidence of coronavirus antibodies.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve and place unprecedented strain on the U.S. healthcare system, the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA), along with the American Optometric Association (AOA), encourages patients with urgent or emergency eye care needs to contact their lo…
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) and Prairie Ridge Hospital & Health Services (PRHHS) today outlined their current strategy for COVID-19 response while still meeting the medical needs of the community over the next several months.
Getting an unfavorable diagnosis at a clinic or hospital is not something anyone likes to hear. If doctors find the issue early enough, treatment or surgery can be performed to take care of the issue. So when Bill Knapp, 78, of Henning was diagnosed with kidney cancer after a trip to the eme…
Zach Stich
Editor
The Otter Tail County Public Health Department’s Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) wants families to know that they are here for them. The WIC program is open for current participants and new participants. WIC is a health and nutrition program and provides a variety of healthy foods…
People living within PioneerCare Center and Pioneer Cottages Memory Care now have an easier time visiting with family and friends during this pandemic crisis, thanks to the generosity of local donors.
April has always been a very unpredictable month in the state of Minnesota. One day it could be 60 degrees, the next it could snow, the next could be 50 degrees and windy, and the next could be rain. For Pedal Fergus Falls, it comes with the territory of being an avid biker in the Midwest. B…
Zach Stich
Editor
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) announced that interim CFO Camie Patterson FACHE, CPA, FHFMA has joined the organization today on a permanent basis as CFO and Senior Vice President. Patterson has been with the organization on an interim basis since last October. The position is an enterprise …
Grocery stores are one of the businesses deemed essential during the pandemic and is one place that poses the most risk to shoppers and employees. On Monday, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) released a report saying that at least 30 supermarket employees in t…
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Governor Tim Walz signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act Wednesday to provide relief to Minnesotans struggling to afford their insulin. With the price of insulin tripling over the past 10 years, Walz worked tirelessly with insulin advocates to call attention to this urgent issue, ke…
Three engineers from Fergus Falls are working together to develop a way for hospitals to disinfect personal protective equipment (PPE) so that they can be reused safely and their first unit will be going to Lake Region Healthcare next week.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
The Battle Lake Lions Club and the American Red Cross are teaming up for a spring blood drive Thursday, May 28 in Battle Lake.
Minnesota now has one of the nation’s first programs to guarantee access to affordable insulin.
There may be some hesitation among the general population to go see a doctor for illnesses unrelated to COVID-19 but many hospitals and clinics, including Lake Region Healthcare (LRHC), have started offering virtual appointments so patients can see their doctors without needing to leave home.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Global Medical Response has deployed its ground ambulance division, American Medical Response, and network providers to support America’s COVID-19 response. AMR is responding to a FEMA request to provide ambulances and emergency medical services personnel to the greater New York area. Resour…
Lakeland Mental Health Center (LMHC) in Fergus Falls is continuing to provide services to its clients through the COVID-19 pandemic as it is considered an essential service under EEO 20-20 ordered by Gov. Tim Walz on March 25. “We are here for our clients and our community during this whole …
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
Father Jeff Ethen thought he was going to the Philippines to enjoy a scuba diving trip with other members of his diving club.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Lake Region Healthcare Foundation announced the establishment of its COVID-19 relief and response to assist the emerging needs of Lake Region Healthcare by ensuring its healthcare team can quickly respond to patient and clinical needs in the days and weeks to come. Monetary and in-kind donat…
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and a coalition of distilleries in Minneapolis including Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits and Brother Justus Whiskey, are pleased to announce a partnership to provide Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) with 125 gallons of hand sanitizer beginning next week.
Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) and Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) are pleased to announce a joint partnership with local manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
When lives are at stake in Otter Tail County it is common to see Ringdahl Ambulance speeding toward the scene.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Soon after the legislative session begins many groups converge on the Minnesota Capitol to visit their elected officials with bills they want them to consider, propose, sponsor or cosponsor. So scheduling time to see our elected representatives and senators is very important.
City of Fergus Falls hosted a blood drive with Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, on March 18 at Nazarene Church which helped collect a total of 33 units of blood products for patients in need.
Effective Thursday, March 26, Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) and Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS are expanding visitor restrictions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Federated Church, Fergus Falls, is serving as the fiscal host and receiving the much-needed donations needed to operate the community food shelf on an interim basis. “Because the City was able to get the food shelf operating temporarily, new funds are needed to purchase the food,” said Rev. …
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that a case of COVID-19 was presumptive in Wadena County. It is now being reported that the case was in Clay County
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) and Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) announced today that based on the most current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they are implementing an enterprise-wide strategy to limit routine outpatient visits a…
While no cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in Otter Tail County yet, Lake Region Healthcare (LRHC) has been following Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines to determine who qualifies for testing.
Johanna Armstrong
Reporter
While the COVID-19 threat is frightening millions in the United States these days a vital service is plunging ahead in communities like Fergus Falls.
Brian Hansel
Reporter
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) in Fergus Falls announced today that it will screen all patients and visitors prior to being allowed in their facilities.
As part of Lake Region Healthcare’s (LRH) efforts toward COVID-19 preparedness, LRH and Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services (PRHHS) have made a decision to postpone the vast majority of elective patient procedures/surgeries in anticipation of a greater strain on staffing, space, equip…
The Fergus Falls YMCA announced Monday that it will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday until March 27 in response to the COVID-19 threat.
The LRAC March 17, Board meeting and Spring Project Grant review starting at 6:30 pm, will move to a conference call only. There will be no in-person meeting.
Local city officials, law enforcement and healthcare providers are letting the community of Fergus Falls know they have been working toward a plan and preparing for the COVID-19 pandemics.
A Message from the Fergus Falls Public Schools:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Sunday that he is ordering K-12 public schools across the state to close by Wednesday and remain closed through March 27 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
In the wake of the recent coronavirus pandemic, there are many questions that have been asked by members in the community. One of the main questions is who is the most vulnerable for having serious illness due to the virus? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), people at higher …
Zach Stich
Editor
In response to growing concerns surrounding COVID-19, Minnesota Public Radio will cancel all public events beginning March 14 through April 24.
Keeping you and our associates safe is a top priority, so we wanted to share the steps we’re taking in response to coronavirus. With help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as our own Chief Medical Officer, we’re developing preventative measures to maintain a …
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency Friday to be ready for whatever the coronavirus throws at the state next.
A viral Facebook post claiming to be based on an internal email from “Stanford Hospital” makes several dubious claims about how to tell if you are infected with the new coronavirus and how to keep from getting sick.
The Lenten Fish Fry at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church is a go for Friday evening at 207 North Vine Street in Fergus Falls.
Effective Friday, March 13, Lake Region Healthcare, Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services, and Mill Street Residence are expanding visitor restrictions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All locations are now restricting visito…
Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) announced today it has been named a 2020 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual award honoring rural hospital performance is determined by the results of iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®, whic…
On Monday, March 30, Empowering Kids will be hosting an informational workshop about autism spectrum disorders. The focus of this workshop is to provide parents with a “basket” of resources to aid them to more comfortably understand the processes and resources available to support their chil…