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. 

 

Joe Dailey

Courage Kenny athlete completes Twin Cities Marathon

[Fox 9 News, October 05, 2025] For the first time, the organizers for the Twin Cities Marathon allowed all mobility devices on the course. Joe Dailey, who participates in the Courage Kenny’s adaptive cycling program, completed the course with his hand cycle and raised awareness about inclusivity in sports and raising money in support of finding a cure for paralysis.
October 05, 2025
AED1

Life saved: The work of Allina Health Heart Safe Communities pays off in Hastings

[WCCO-TV, October 02, 2025] Allina Health’s Heart Safe Communities helps place AEDs throughout Minnesota. The team also trains community members to use the devices. That work paid off in Hastings when an AED was used to save a man’s life.
October 02, 2025
Milanda

New mom Milanda finds joy after breast cancer

[Allina Health Newsroom, September 30, 2025] When Milanda began to experience pain while breastfeeding her newborn son, she thought it might be a problem with a milk duct. It was much more serious. Just six months after giving birth, Milanda was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
September 30, 2025
Nikka Ross seated and smiling

Clinical trial earns Nikka "a win" in breast cancer battle

[Allina Health Newsroom, September 29, 2025] Triple-negative breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, and treatment can be intense. Nikka’s case was made even more challenging because she had previously experienced heart failure, one of the risks with chemotherapy. Nikka was enrolled in the SCARLET clinical trial, which used de-escalated chemotherapy coupled with immunotherapy to treat her breast cancer.
September 29, 2025
Cardio drumming at new CKRI fitness studio

Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute hosts open house for fitness studio

[Allina Health Newsroom, September 26, 2025] Allina Health Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute unveiled a new group fitness space on the second floor of its facility. This inclusive studio provides an option for people of varying abilities to participate in group fitness.
September 26, 2025
Web_Size_Social-Schwalbe_Kathryn

New Allina Health provider emphasizes the importance of cancer prevention

[Faribault Daily News, September 26, 2025] Kathryn Schwalbe, DO, is a general surgeon at Allina Health proudly serving the community where she grew up.
September 26, 2025
Bloodpressure_52611

Allina Health cardiologist explains new high blood pressure guidelines

[WCCO-TV News, September 26, 2025] Retu Saxena, MD, a cardiologist with Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, explains the new high blood pressure guidelines and how they can help decrease the risk for stroke and heart disease.
September 26, 2025
male getting blood pressure checked

High blood pressure impacts more than one billion people around the world

[Fox 9 News, September 24, 2025] The World Health Organization says many of the more than one billion people around the world who live with high blood pressure do not have it under control. Michael Miedema, MD, director of cardiovascular prevention with Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, explains how high blood pressure can be silent and deadly.
September 24, 2025
prostate300x250

Understanding prostate cancer and the importance of screenings

[KARE 11 News, September 24, 2025] Badrinath Konety, MD, president of Allina Health Cancer Institute, explains the importance of prostate cancer screenings and shared decision making between doctors and patients.
September 24, 2025
Mindy BE FAST AND pup1

From life support to stroke warrior: Andover woman shares her journey of recovery

[Allina Health Newsroom, September 22, 2025] Mindy Tosel-Waddell, 55, was placed on comfort care with friends and family preparing for her death, when one day she opened her eyes and began talking to her doctor. Now she's sharing her story of living as a stroke warrior.
September 22, 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
240x180Carisa 720 x 540 px

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
Show More

Explore our Healthy Set Go articles

Our Allina Health doctors and providers share information on health topics that matter to you.

Visit Healthy Set Go

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