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Minnesota Oncology Earns Minnesota’s First ASCO Certification

Minnesota Oncology recently became the first and only oncology practice in Minnesota to earn ASCO Certified™ status. ASCO Certified is a patient-centered cancer care certification program from the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Achieving this certification demonstrates that Minnesota Oncology has a strong and enduring commitment to measuring the quality of cancer care delivery and meeting national standards in quality and safety. Minnesota Oncology is one of only 18 certified practices in the United States and 22 worldwide to earn this certification.

ASCO Certified works by certifying oncology group practices and health systems that meet a single set of comprehensive, evidence-based Oncology Medical Home (OMH) standards from ASCO and the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). These standards focus on seven different domains of cancer care: patient engagement; availability and access to care; evidence-based medicine; comprehensive team-based care; quality improvement; goals of care, palliative, and end-of-life care discussions; and antineoplastic therapy safety. To achieve certification, practices go through a rigorous process to meet all care delivery standards and antineoplastic therapy safety standards.

“Achieving ASCO Certification demonstrates our dedication to providing high‑quality, patient‑centered cancer care,” said Minnesota Oncology President Paul Thurmes, MD. “It is an important recognition of the systems, processes, and teamwork we have in place to support safe, effective care and continually raise the bar for our patients and their families.”

Minnesota Oncology will continue to work with ASCO Certification Program surveyors to review quality improvement initiatives, patient satisfaction surveys, and oncology treatment pathways utilization, as well as data on quality measures, such as advance care planning, depression screening, antineoplastic therapy in the last 14 days of life, and pain assessment to maintain certification and demonstrate its continued commitment to providing high-quality cancer care.

“The ASCO Certified program is a vital tool for practices dedicated to providing the best quality cancer care,” said ASCO CEO Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO. “Focusing on patients, it supports the provision of coordinated and evidence-based care and that is why we are thrilled to see this program embraced by the oncology community.”

Children’s Minnesota Opens Regions First Pediatric Stroke Suite

Children’s Minnesota recently opened its $2.5 million, state-of-the-art biplane neuroangiography suite — the region’s only facility dedicated to pediatric neurointerventional procedures. This advanced imaging technology brings new treatment options for children with a variety of cerebrovascular diseases, further expanding Children’s Minnesota’s neurosurgical capabilities. 

“With this advanced biplane neuroangiography suite, we are raising the bar for children in our region impacted by a stroke or other cerebrovascular conditions,” said Meysam Kebriaei, MD, medical director of neurosurgery at Children’s Minnesota. “By becoming the regional referral program for complex pediatric cerebrovascular and stroke cases, we are ensuring no child has to travel farther than they should to get world-class care, and we’re building a future where our kids not only survive but thrive.”

The suite delivers exceptionally detailed, three-dimensional images of blood vessels in and around the brain. This allows neurointerventional surgeons to diagnose and treat pediatric stroke, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, as well as brain tumors and other intracranial pathologies. This advanced imaging capability enables Children’s Minnesota’s multidisciplinary team to identify and characterize vascular blockages and other abnormalities with unmatched precision. Using these high-resolution images, neurointerventional surgeons can develop targeted treatment plans and perform minimally invasive interventions for complex conditions to minimize risk and improve outcomes.

“This defines a new chapter in pediatric neurovascular care in the Upper Midwest. We are very fortunate to have assembled one of the most experienced neurointerventional teams in the country right here in the Twin Cities. Our goal is to become one of the leading practices nationally and contribute our experience to the expanding field of pediatric neurointervention internationally through academic and service missions,” said Collin Torok, MD, medical director of neurointerventional surgery at Children’s Minnesota, and co-director of the cerebrovascular program with Dr. Kebriaei.

This added technology strengthens Children’s Minnesota’s cerebrovascular and stroke program, making it one of only a few dedicated pediatric programs of its kind in the country with depth of experience, high-quality multidisciplinary treatments, long-term management and strong clinical outcomes for patients. The cerebrovascular and stroke program at Children’s Minnesota brings together a team of pediatric experts to provide the most advanced level of care for kids and young adults. 

CentraCare Expands Sartell Clinic

CentraCare has recently opened its newly expanded CentraCare - Sauk Crossing Family Medicine clinic in Sartell, Minnesota. The expansion involved moving primary care services into CentraCare Sauk Crossing, located at 2000 23rd Street South in Sartell.

This new location for Family Medicine is just east of the current CentraCare Sartell - Clinic location (also known as the former St. Cloud Medical Group building) and has been the home to CentraCare Eye Center since 2017. Patients can expect the same trusted primary care, now provided in a modern, expanded environment that supports collaboration and a better care experience.

“This expansion strengthens primary care and makes it easier for patients to get the care they need close to home,” said Ken Holmen, MD, CEO and president of CentraCare. “By bringing family medicine into Sauk Crossing, we’re investing in care models that support today’s needs while positioning us well for the future.”

The project was developed in partnership with HMA Architects and RJM Construction and features updated clinical spaces that support collaboration among care teams and more efficient patient flow.

Services now available at Sauk Crossing include:

• CentraCare Eye Center
• Imaging Services
• Lab Services
• School of Diagnostic Imaging
• Family Medicine
• Integrated Behavioral Health
• Medication Therapy Management

The addition of family medicine further advances CentraCare Sauk Crossing as a hub for coordinated care, supporting CentraCare’s long-term commitment to serving growing community needs. The three-story addition integrates patient check-in, laboratory services, leadership and staff areas, family practice suites, nurse stations, exam and procedure rooms and essential patient support spaces into a cohesive, functional and forward-thinking environment. Natural light, intuitive way finding, and generous clinical work areas were central to the design approach.

Nataly Bazo Reisman, an architect and interior designer at HMA noted, “I’ve had the opportunity to work on many projects with CentraCare, and every experience reinforces what an exceptional client they are. Their team brings a clear dedication to design quality and a genuine commitment to the well‑being of both patients and caregivers. Sauk Crossing reflects that thoughtful, collaborative spirit and it’s been a privilege for our design team to help bring their vision to life.”  

ICE Legal Violations Spread Statewide

A recent press conference in Minneapolis featuring several prominent health care leaders and state legislators detailed the extraordinarily violent actions and violations of law that ICE agents have been part of in Twin City hospitals seems to have had little effect. Apparently their actions have only spread as federal law enforcement officers recently escorted a patient, in custody, to an appointment at a Duluth hospital. It was unclear if the patient was suffering from injuries inflicted by the agents and hospital management cited HIPPA laws, which limit information they can share, including the immigration status of the patient.

In response to the incident the Duluth Legislative Delegation released the following statement:

“We are dismayed that federal agents continue their occupation and campaign of harassment, intimidation, and violence. Health care is a human right – no matter your immigration status. Importantly, ICE detention is also civil, not criminal. Patients in civil immigration detention retain the same rights as any other person seeking health care.

“Hospitals, clinics, and every place where people receive health care should be safe and healing spaces. The confirmed ICE presence in one of our Duluth hospitals today lays bare the absolute necessity of putting clear policies and plans in place to ensure the safety of doctors, nurses, patients, and their family members. When institutions put clear practices in place, workers are protected and communities are safer.

“We are working with immigrant rights leaders like Unidos, hospital employees’ union leadership, and Essentia Health and Aspirus administrators to encourage their systems to proactively adopt and implement clear policies, protocols, and training. We’re encouraged by Essentia Health’s care and responsiveness today, and thankful to the community legal observers who showed up promptly.”

Despite claims of reducing the number of ICE agents in Trump’s Minnesota operation metro surge, new activity has been reported after the announcement in Willmar and Mankato where a moving ICE vehicle appears to have run into a moving civilian vehicle. 

Tom Holman explained the need to retain a seemingly significant number of ICE agents in Minnesota in order to protect other Ice agents.

Minnesota Files Suit to Block Trump Medicaid Funding Cuts

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently filed a lawsuit asking for a restraining order against President Donald Trump’s administration in an attempt to stop it from withholding $243 million in Medicaid funding. The lawsuit names the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as Dr. Mehmet Oz, in his official capacity as CMS administrator, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his official capacity as HHS secretary. The move came after Vice President JD Vance said the administration would “temporarily halt” some $285 Million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns, as part of what he described as an aggressive crackdown on misuse of public funds.

Ellison has a strong track record of fighting Medicaid fraud and has won more than 300 convictions and $80 million in judgments and restitutions during his time in office. His office issued a statement that said, “Trump’s attempts to look like he’s fighting fraud only punish the people and families who most need the high-quality, affordable health care that all Minnesotans deserve. As long as I am attorney general, I will do everything in my power to defend our tax dollars, both from fraudsters and from the Trump administration’s cruelty.”

The lawsuit claims the administration violated due process by taking hundreds of millions of dollars without proving Minnesota’s noncompliance with Medicaid regulations through discovery and evidentiary hearing. Furthermore, the lawsuit also claims the administration failed to provide Minnesota with details about its decision, in violation of federal law. It cited legal precedents, including one stating Congress may impose conditions on states’ acceptance of federal funds, but “the conditions must be set out unambiguously.” In addition, it charges that the administration violated the Constitution because the withholding imposed retroactive conditions on Minnesota’s Medicaid funding and that withholding the funds was arbitrary, capricious and part of a pattern of political punishment of Minnesota. Medicaid funding provides health care for low-income families. Withholding funding places an additional strain on those who are least able to manage.

Mayo Posts Record Annual Earnings

The Mayo clinic recently released its 2025 financial repost, citing a record $21.5 billion in income. From this sum the non-profit reported $1.5 billion in net income after deduction $20 Billion in expenses.

An independent health care analyst estimated the total was around 13 percent higher than it was in 2024, which was also a record breaking year.

Patients come to Mayo from all over the world. The hospital – consistently rated among the best in the country – performed the most organ transplants in the nation last year. Mayo is the largest employer in the state and is growing to meet patient needs, adding 12,400 new employees last year, bringing its total number of employees to nearly 85,000, an increase of about 20 percent. Over 50,000 of those employees live in Minnesota.

Some analysts have criticized Mayo for not spending more on charity care. While the 2025 numbers show an increase in this category, Mayo spent only $157 Million or 0.7% of its income on charity care, a figure three times what they spent in 2021. In exchange for tax exempt status some states, Texas and Washington for example, require a minimum of between 2 and 3 % of their overall income go to charity care. Minnesota has no law stipulating minimum charity care contributions.

To address this issue Mayo released a statement that read; “The rise in charity care is in part due to Mayo Clinic’s expansion of our presumptive eligibility policy, which identifies patients who may qualify for charity care and eliminates the need for a formal application. This reflects Mayo Clinic’s unwavering commitment to provide access to care for those who need it.”

Despite closing six rural clinics last year, and increasingly repressive federal health care policies, Mayo continues to be at the top of national hospital rankings and is a global leader in medical technology innovations. It continues to add partners all over the globe who receive Mayo branding and access to Mayo collaboration. This is also occurring here in the U.S. where in early March they announced a new affiliation with a health care system in Southern Alabama. The prognosis for continued growth is very strong.