Carris Health is a health care system that is driven by its purpose, which is to serve rural communities and address the health care needs of people at all stages of life. Carris Health serves people throughout West Central and Southwest Minnesota. Formed in January 2018, Carris Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of CentraCare, one of Minnesotas largest health systems.

Care is at the core of everything our partnership represents. The name Carris is an adaptation of the word care and speaks directly to why this collaboration was created to provide better care throughout the region. Ultimately, the name and meaning of Carris Health will be defined over time by how we work together to deliver health care in a new way that benefits communities throughout Minnesota.

Health care is changing. Technology is advancing. People have more complex health issues. Thats why Carris Health is reinventing how health care is delivered to rural communities through forward-thinking approaches and unique partnerships that align with the future of health care. Carris Health brings together health care organizations to share resources, with the goal of improving care and delivering it more efficiently. Ultimately, Carris Health will ensure people in West Central and Southwest Minnesota have access to exceptional care today and in the future.

Carris Health was created in January 2018 as a partnership between Willmars Rice Memorial Hospital, ACMC Health and St. Cloud-based CentraCare Health. In January 2019, Redwood Area Hospital in Redwood Falls, Minn. and Family Practice Medical Center in Willmar, Minn. joined Carris Health. Carris Health is committed to strengthening health care in West Central and Southwest Minnesota by partnering with organizations that share the same passion for rural health care.

Our vision for care is inclusive. We are open to discussions with any regional health care provider that shares our values and commitment to providing residents of this region with first-rate health care.

Carris Health combines the knowledge and expertise of well-established community health care partners to provide people in rural communities better access to high-quality care, regardless of where they live. Carris Healths goal is to provide the best health care possible, close to home. Its the best of both worlds local care, leadership and governance connected to a larger health system.

Carris Health otolaryngologists help adults and children with every day issues like tonsillitis, snoring, ear tubes and sinusitis, as well as unique or complicated issues. Well work with you to develop a personalized medical and/or surgical treatment plan to get you feeling better and keep you healthy.

Carris Health is a not-for-profit with the primary mission of patient care. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of CentraCare Health. Carris Health is dedicated to giving back to our local communities through charitable contributions, sponsorships and in-kind gifts to organizations who enrich lives and improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Carris Health will consider regional and local/community requests that serve the residents within the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Redwood, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine.

Someone may contact you with specific questions and/or to request additional information if needed. You may also be asked to visit with our Carris Health Contributions & Community Relations team to present your request in more depth.

A guided conversation about end-of-life wishes, values, and preferences. Once that initial conversation takes place between loved ones, the next step is to put it in writing. This written document is called an Advance Directive. It tells physicians and caregivers how to care for a patient when that person is no longer able to make health decisions for him or herself. It also appoints a person to make health care decisions on his or her behalf.

Honoring Choices Minnesota is a statewide initiative that aims to encourage all Minnesotans age 18 and over to complete a health care directive. A downloadable copy of the form is available in several different languages on their web site at www.HonoringChoices.org.

Carris Health has trained volunteers who offer free counseling services on how to fill out the Advance Directive form, as well as how to start the conversation with family members. To register for a free Advance Directive counseling session call:

Redwood Area Hospital social workers are available to provide you with information and tools to help aid conversations with family, friends and healthcare providers to create written advance directives in accordance with Minnesota state laws.