News Headlines

• Mercy offers cancer outreach services
• Mercy & Gateway set tobacco-free campus policy
• Mammography passes state inspection
• Orthopedic Surgeon joins Mercy surgical team
• New surgeon joins Mercy’s surgical team
• New Birthing Center provides comfortable, soothing setting for birth
• Dr. Skott Nielsen provides OB/GYN services in Moose Lake

May 2008
Mercy offers cancer outreach services

Beginning in May, office visits for patients of Dr. Jonathan Sande, Hematologist and Oncologist at Duluth Clinic Cancer Center, will be held at Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center. Currently Dr. Sande sees patients once a week at Gateway Clinic.

“Dr. Sande will see patients on Thursdays in our chemotherapy area,” said Barb Orth, Mercy’s Oncology Certified RN and Cancer Outreach Coordinator. “The change in location offers a number of advantages, allowing more privacy for the doctor and also decreasing exposure to waiting areas for our patients with suppressed immune systems.”

Patients needing lab or x-rays will still be able to get them the same day. Patients receiving chemotherapy will also be able to schedule physician and chemo visits on the same day.

“We believe this will be a good change for our patients,” Orth added.

For more information, please call 218-485-5599.

January 2008
Mercy & Gateway set tobacco-free campus policy

Both Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center and Gateway Family Health Clinic became tobacco-free campuses tobacco on January 1, 2008.

While both organizations had smoke-free buildings for many years, the new policy extends the ban, requiring patients, visitors and employees to refrain from using tobacco on any property owned or operated by Mercy or Gateway.

“This new policy simply acknowledges our responsibility to promote the healthiest possible environment for our patients, our visitors, our employees and the community,” added Jason Douglas, Mercy CEO. “As health care institutions, we feel this is the right thing to do.”

Mercy and Gateway are not alone in this effort. Nationwide, more than 300 hospitals and health systems have declared their medical campuses tobacco free. In 1986, Mercy became the first hospital in Minnesota to become a smoke-free facility.
December 2007
Mammography passes state inspection
Moose Lake Imaging, a partnership between Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center and Gateway Family Health Clinic, recently passed its annual Mammography survey with 100 percent compliance.

“Mammography is an important screening tool for women in the detection of breast cancer,” said Anna Koski, Supervisor. “The positive results of this inspection reflect the quality of mammography done here.”

Under state and federal regulations, the Minnesota Department of Health and the FDA inspect mammography services each year. Aspects examined during the survey include policy and procedures, quality control records, etc.

Congratulations are extended to Moose Lake Imaging’s four mammography technologists: Diane Lundborg, Lisa Gassert, Marilyn Robertson and Linda Staebler.

“We are very proud of our staff members and their commitment to provide the highest standard of care,” Koski added.

Moose Lake Imaging participates in programs that make low-cost or free mammograms available to women who qualify. As part of an American Cancer Society Program, mammograms will be offered in December at a cost of $70 to women whose insurance may be inadequate or to those with high unmet deductibles. The fee must be paid at the time of the exam. Patients should be 40 or older, asymptomatic and have no history of breast cancer. Free mammograms are also available to women who qualify through the SAGE program.

In addition, Moose Lake Imaging offers evening mammography appointments, making it convenient for women to schedule an appointment.  Call for specific dates.

To make a mammography appointment, call Mercy at 218-485-5578.

October 2006
Orthopedic surgeon joins Mercy surgical team

Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center is pleased to announce the addition of an orthopedic surgeon to its staff, beginning in November.

Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Mark Gregerson has over 20 years experience as an orthopedic surgeon. An Associate Professor for the University of Minnesota’s Family Practice Department, Dr. Gregerson also serves as a clinical instructor for the Orthopedic and Family Practice programs.

Dr. Gregerson comes to Mercy from his practice at Orthopedic Surgical Consultants, P.A., in Shakopee. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota Medical School and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Blodgett Memorial Medical Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In addition, Dr. Gregerson is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Medical Association and the Minnesota State Medical Society.

Dr. Gregerson will begin seeing patients in November at the Gateway Family Health Clinics in Moose Lake and Sandstone. He will provide a full range of ambulatory orthopedic services, including knee and shoulder arthroscopy. In addition, he will work with Mercy staff to develop a joint replacement program.

“Dr. Gregerson is an outstanding addition to our staff,” said Jason Douglas, CEO, Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center. “His expertise, along with our experienced staff and state-of-the-art surgery center, means the people of our area can receive high quality orthopedic care close to home. We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Gregerson and to be able to meet the region’s health needs by expanding the scope of quality services we can offer.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Gregerson, call Gateway Clinic at 218-485-4491.

Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center is pleased to welcome a new general surgeon to its staff.

In April, Dr. Sharon Gossett began seeing patients several days a week at Gateway Clinic. She provides a full range of general surgery and endoscopy services in Mercy’s state-of-the-art surgery center. Dr. Gossett also provides some emergency on-call coverage at the hospital on evenings and weekends.

Dr. Gossett joins Mercy’s staff in a partnership agreement with Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia. She will continue to see patients in both locations.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Gossett earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, where she also completed her surgical residency. She also completed part of her surgical residency at Warwick Hospital in England.

November 2004
New Birthing Center provides comfortable, soothing setting for birth

Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center opened its newly remodeled, state-of-the-art Birthing Center at an Open House on November 17.

Designed to provide a comfortable and soothing setting for birth, the new Birthing Center features two large birthing suites with private whirlpool baths.  The new SANIJET whirlpool baths will provide mothers in labor with a popular option for pain management and relaxation. Adjustable room lighting, pleasant décor, radiant heat panels and in-room video cabinet are all included in the suites, providing families with a home-like atmosphere for birth.

The Birthing Center also includes a new nursery and an observation room for mothers coming to the hospital for testing.

“Our new birthing suites will enhance the comfort of the families in our care and will complement the high standard of care we already provide to our new mothers and babies,” said Rhonda Skelton, RN, OB Supervisor. “When designing the new unit, we planned carefully to best meet the needs of our new families and we are very excited about the renovations.”

“The renovations will help to enhance the family-centered birthing experience we advocate for our patients,” added Dr. Lynn Stottler, Gateway family practice physician.

In addition to the private birthing suites, Mercy’s Birthing Center also offers the following services as part of its family centered focus:

• Childbirth education classes (Birthing Classes, Caring for Your Newborn,                         and Feeding Your Baby) to help parents prepare for their new arrival.
• A full range of analgesic options, including intrathecal and epidurals.
• Celebration dinner for the new parents.
• A new car seat to keep newborns safe.

A grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and a gift from the Mercy Foundation helped fund the $250,000 renovation.

For more information about the services offered at Mercy’s Birthing Center, please call 218-485-5521.

September 2004
Dr. Skott Nielsen provides OB/GYN services in Moose Lake

Dr. Skott Nielsen, OB/GYN specialist, has moved his medical practice from the Specialist Clinic at Mercy Hospital & Health Care Center to the new Gateway Family Health Clinic in Moose Lake.

Dr. Nielsen provides consultative services for a wide variety of women’s health issues including: premenstrual disorders, infertility, menopause, incontinence, abnormal bleeding and other female health concerns. He also offers a full spectrum of gynecological surgery services.

“I’m happy to be working with Gateway physicians to provide care for women’s health concerns here in this community,” Dr. Nielsen said.

Dr. Nielsen will be seeing patients in Moose Lake, consulting with patients every Thursday and performing surgery on Tuesdays.

Appointments with Dr. Nielsen can be made through Gateway Clinic, 218-485-4491.