Allina Health Newsroom

This is where we share helpful health information, news about our hospitals and clinics and media reports featuring Allina Health team members as subject matter experts. You can also access our latest news releases and media contacts.

Recent news

See articles and videos featuring our patients and care team members, plus watch how Allina Health experts add context to health stories in local news reports.

Allina Health surgeons to scrub in for cases in state-of-the-art operating rooms

[Allina Health Newsroom, April 02, 2026] As the Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital campus expansion nears completion, surgeons are getting a look at the operating rooms they helped design and will soon use to care for patients. 

“There has been surgeon involvement in decisions across the entire process,” said Jolene Singh, MD, OR medical director at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. “They’ve had input into everything from the floors to the walls to the way that the lights are mounted to the type of lights that we've purchased.”

When it opens in late August, the Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center will include 30 state-of-the-art surgical suites. The new space will give patients access to some of the most advanced surgical technologies available.

“They're unlike anything you're going to find anywhere else,” Dr. Singh said. “The safety, the technology that we have, the integration — it’s unparalleled.”

Features will include:

  • Spacious operating rooms that support larger, more integrated surgical teams.
  • Advanced robotic technology that allows for safer, more precise surgeries.
  • Uniform room layouts, which will streamline scheduling.
  • Specialized surfaces, designed to reduce infection risks.
  • Improved air filtration for greater patient and surgical team comfort and safety.
  • Video and livestream capabilities for consultations and education

The operating rooms are scheduled to open to patients in late August at the Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. 

 

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St. Paul pastor reveals Pope Leo XIV’s connection to Abbott Northwestern Hospital

[Pioneer Press, May 18, 2025] When the Pope was known as Bob Prevost back in 1980, he served in a clinical pastoral education program at Abbott Northwestern, according to a friend.
May 18, 2025
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Minnesota doctor shares update months after devastating fall caused paralysis

[WCCO-TV News, May 16, 2025] After a 300-foot fall in Switzerland left her paralyzed, a Minnesota doctor has been recovering with the help of Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. She shared what progress looks like for her.
May 16, 2025
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Allina Health is first in Twin Cities to use new device for stroke patients

[WCCO-TV News, May 16, 2025] Allina Health is the first in the Twin Cities area to use Vivistim, an implant that provides electrical stimulation to help stroke patients regain mobility in the upper extremities.
May 16, 2025
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Allina Health and Mortenson celebrate “topping off” of the Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital

[KMSP Fox 9 News, May 13, 2025] Allina Health held the “topping off” ceremony for the Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
May 13, 2025
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U.S. Senator co-sponsors legislation to improve maternity care for moms and babies

[WCCO-TV, May 11, 2025] U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar celebrated Mother’s Day by putting the spotlight on improving maternity care.
May 11, 2025
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Is the spring allergy season getting longer?

[WCCO Radio, May 08, 2025] Allina Health allergist Pramod Kelkar, MD, joined Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio to discuss spring allergies.
May 08, 2025
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Cambridge woman experiences healing through late twin sister’s organ donation

[Allina Health Newsroom, May 06, 2025] Chloe Nelson suffered an injury when she fell out of a hunting stand and needed ankle surgery. She went to Allina Health Orthopedics for care. Her late twin sister was an organ donor, and the care team was able to use her donated bone to repair Chloe’s leg.
May 06, 2025
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Code Hope: A time for care team members to come together

[Allina Health Newsroom, May 02, 2025] Team members at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, jointly owned by Allina Health, Park Nicollet Health Services and Essentia Health, have come up with a way to ensure people who care for patients also take a moment to care for themselves.
May 01, 2025
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Preeclampsia and how it complicates pregnancy

[WCCO-TV News, April 30, 2025] Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that cause complications such as liver or liver failure, seizures or even death for the mother and child. Indy Lane, MD explains how preeclampsia can be detected early and managed.
April 30, 2025

News releases

When we’re making news, you can find details here. Read on to learn about the innovative ways we deliver expert care for people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin and celebrate inspiring milestones.

Allina Health Buffalo Hospital exterior surgery entrance.

Allina Health Buffalo Hospital expands its robotic surgical systems, bringing greater precision to many surgeries

Now patients can benefit from physicians trained on the da Vinci Xi system without having to travel to metro hospitals.
February 23, 2026
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New Ulm Medical Center names Carisa Buegler as new president

Allina Health is pleased to share that Carisa Buegler has been named the new president of New Ulm Medical Center.
February 12, 2026
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Media contacts

Our media team is staffed by former reporters and producers. Reach out for help connecting to subject matter experts for your time-sensitive questions.

Jennifer Steingas
Public Relations Manager
jennifer.steingas@allina.com
Voice/Text: 612-388-1895

Erika Rasmussen
Senior Communications Consultant
erika.rasmussen@allina.com
Voice/text: 708-214-8464