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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Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute patient receives needed care thanks to clinical trials

[Allina Health Newsroom, April 29, 2025] When Gloria Cullen needed medical treatment for her leaky heart valve and congestive heart failure, she turned to the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and Paul Sorajja, MD, an interventional cardiologist and director for the Center for Valve and Structural Heart Disease.
April 29, 2025
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May is melanoma and skin cancer awareness month

[Fox 9 KMSP-TV, April 28, 2025] Allina Health dermatologist Julie Schultz, MD, FAAD shares tips to help people protect their skin and decrease their chances of developing skin cancers such as melanoma.
April 28, 2025
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Allina Health incision-free surgery calms essential tremor

[Allina Health Newsroom, April 25, 2025] Watch the video below to meet Cindy and see her undergo focused ultrasound treatment.
April 25, 2025
WCCO measles story

Understanding measles and how it spreads

[WCCO-TV News, April 22, 2025] WCCO-TV interviewed Allina Health pediatrician Eric Barth, MD to help explain what measles is and how the disease spreads.
April 22, 2025

Allina Health IT director works to make each day Earth Day

[Allina Health Newsroom, April 22, 2025] Learn about Brad’s inspiration for creating IT delivery solutions that are good for Allina Health, its neighborhoods and the environment.
April 22, 2025

Allina Health salutes its thousands of volunteers during National Volunteer Week

[Allina Health Newsroom, April 18, 2025] Allina Health has nearly 3,500 volunteers who donated close to 168,000 hours last year. This contribution of time is valued at more than $5,600,000.
April 18, 2025
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VP at St. Francis Regional Medical Center discusses medical advances and expansion projects

[The Hub Podcast, April 17, 2025] Monte Johnson, MD, the vice president of Medical Affairs at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, joined the Hub Podcast to discuss all the great things happening at St. Francis.
April 17, 2025
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Allina Health doctor discusses pollen, allergy symptoms and relief

[KSTP-TV News, April 16, 2025] KSTP-TV interviews Allina Health allergist Pramod Kelkar, MD to learn more about pollen, how it triggers allergy symptoms and how to get relief from those symptoms.
April 16, 2025
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Choosing the right shoe for the outdoor running season

[KMSP Fox 9 News, April 15, 2025] A sports medicine physician with Allina Health Orthopedics explains the importance of choosing the correct shoes for outdoor exercise.
April 15, 2025
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Managing spring allergies

[Fox 9 News, April 13, 2025] Allina Health allergist Pramod Kelkar, MD explains why spring allergy symptoms may feel more intense and how to manage them.
April 13, 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