Yesterday, Northfield Hospital + Clinics announced the Lonsdale Clinic practice will be closed and consolidated with the Northfield and Lakeville clinics.
November 17 will be the last clinic day. Patients can continue to see the same provider in NH+C’s Northfield or Lakeville clinics. This does not affect other clinic operations at NH+C.
Primary care provider Dr. Gregory Randall will see patients in the Lakeville Clinic. OB/GYN specialist Dr. Deb Suppes will see patients in the Women’s Health Center on the Northfield Hospital campus. Dr. Suppes will continue to perform surgeries at Northfield Hospital and deliver babies at the Birth Center. Certified Nurse Practitioner and Advance Practice Registered Nurse Jane Carlson will see patients in the Lakeville Clinic.
A statement issued by NH+C said NH+C’s Administration and Board consider several criteria as they analyze service lines, including finances, mission, and commitment to serving local communities. The consolidation is part of that overall review of services to ensure the organization can serve the community for generations to come.
Patients are being notified directly. Those with questions should contact NH+C Director of Clinics, Nicole Strusz-Mueller at 507-646-1003.
The statement said the organization plans to sell the clinic building. NH+C opened its Lonsdale Clinic in 2005.
Leadership initiative expanding at Northfield High School
Since Principal Shane Baier arrived at Northfield High School last year, several new programs and initiatives have been introduced, including the Raiders L.E.A.D. program, to teach students about leadership and how to become a leader among one’s peers. Originally intended for the school’s athletics programs, it is now being extended into the regular curriculum at the high school.
The Raiders L.E.A.D. program, according to documents provided by the school district, is intended to ensure that all Northfield High School student leaders – be they self-selected or appointed – are engaged in leadership growth and development through deliberate practice, skill development, and real-life leadership experiences.
L.E.A.D. stands for leadership, excellence, adaptability, and development. Baier said the original idea had been to immerse the captains of the various school teams in those elements to give them the skills necessary to lead their teammates. However, Baier said, looking at the program, and the belief that anyone can be a leader, the decision was made that the program should be offered to every NHS Student.
“It comes out of this idea that we have four years with our high school students and there’s a lot going on between the 9th grade year and the time they leave as an adult. I think part of our charge [during that time] is to help our students develop. And leadership is such a critical part of life. Being a leader of self first, and then being able to be of service to other folks in your community is really important.”
The program uses elements of Scott Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and other developmental theories. The program teaches the idea that talent is irrelevant in leadership, and what is important is first leading oneself, and setting an example. Change, the program teaches, begins within, and everyone has something highly valuable to offer.
Senior athletes Grace McCoshen and Kam Kaiser both said that the program has been a beneficial one and is something they have applied to their own lives. McCoshen said, in fact, it’s not a difficult task to be encouraging to everyone in the face of a difficult situation. Simply saying, “Hey, you got this,” and showing confidence in a person can help to produce excellent results.
Baier said the main goal of the program is to help students understand their own worth and, as he put it, empower them “to change their lives.”
Flannel Gala will feature a ‘Northfield Supergroup’
Laura Baker Services Association will host its annual Flannel Gala tomorrow night at Armory Square.
The Flannel Gala is one of two major fundraisers held by LBSA each year, but in contrast to the formal gala held each December, the Flannel Gala is a more relaxed experience. Instead of an in-depth program that looks at all the aspects of what Laura Baker Services does, the Flannel Gala is as much about socializing and having fun as it is about raising money.
With a minimal program, attendees can feel free to come and go as they would like or arrive late without feeling they have missed very much.
LBSA Director of Community Relations Andrei Sivanich said the event will once again feature a silent auction with dozens of items upon which to bid, and a scavenger hunt, which has been a rousing success the past few years.
“It’s intended to help people learn about the organization, so there will be some questions in there and it is a great activity, too, for adults and kids alike. So, it ends up being fun. And then if you participate, you’ll be entered into a drawing for some LBSA swag or some Northfield Chamber of Commerce Chamber Bucks. So, it’s just another activity that you can do throughout the evening that’s not super intense, but it’s fun.”
The music this year is an extra special event. Harmony MT, a group comprised of the Laura Baker Music Therapists will make their performance debut on the Flannel Gala stage. They will be followed by a pickup band that will include Wendy Smith and Dave Drentlaw of The Zillionaires, Don and Doug Bratland, late of Matt Arthur & The Bratlanders, and highly respected Matt Wehling of The Frothie Band. The collection of musicians is nothing short of a Northfield Supergroup.
Tickets for the event are a $20 donation to Laura Baker and can be purchased on the organization’s website. Sivanich encouraged people to buy tickets in advance for several reasons. Among them, he said, is the opportunity to bid in the silent auction early, which will open at 9:00 Thursday morning. Only those with tickets will be able to bid, he said.
The Flannel Gala will run tomorrow night from 5:00 – 8:00 at Armory Square. For more information, and to buy tickets, please visit laurabaker.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
