The city of Caledonia held a town hall meeting on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. in the city auditorium to discuss the state of rural healthcare following Mayo Clinic’s announcement that they would be closing its Caledonia clinic at the beginning of December.
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson welcomed attendees and explained why the city hosted the forum.
“With so much attention and so many eyes on rural healthcare, especially the way we all feel about healthcare at the moment, we have invited many healthcare providers,” Dickson said. “We’re trying to highlight services that are still available and give providers a chance to share what they do and why they it.”
Approximately 20 residents attended the meeting to ask questions and share their concerns with a panel of six healthcare providers in Caledonia and Mayor Jeremy Leis.
Panelists included: Amanda Middendorf, owner, Caledonia Convenient Care; Stephanie Mell, owner and practice manager, Mell Chiropractic; Rachel Albrecht, vice president of ambulatory services, Emplify; Jeremy Leis, mayor, city of Caledonia; Mike Tornstrom, director, Caledonia Ambulance Service; John Pugleasa, director, Houston County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS); and Brandi Loging, pharmacy manager, Sterling Pharmacy.
Pugleasa and Tornstrom both said their main concerns included the 2022 closure of Pine View Senior Living and Buckley Assisted Living, as well as the recent Mayo Clinic closure. Tornstrom emphasized that Claddagh Senior Living does a great job.
Tornstrom reminded residents that the Caledonia Ambulance department provides not only emergency transportation but also urgent, non-emergency transport, something that surprised some audience members. He emphasized that the ambulance service is always available. Tornstrom was asked about the cost, and he explained that they bill “just like anybody else.”
Throughout the meeting, transportation emerged as a major issue. Tornstrom shared a story about a resident who missed an appointment and two days later needed an ambulance.
Brandi Loging, Sterling Pharmacy in Caledonia, was asked whether she thinks that they will lose any business due to Mayo closing. She said she does not believe it will. Loging shared the pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The pharmacy also offers delivery services in Caledonia, as well as to Mabel, Canton, Harmony, Rushford and La Crescent, and they provide vaccinations.
Director Pugleasa reviewed the range of services offered by Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) to the community. The department’s rural dental program has been successful. A big part of public health is providing assistance to the elderly and disabled with the goal of keeping people in their home as long as possible.
Rachel Albrecht of Emplify, formerly Gundersen Health Systems, reassured attendees that there are “no plans to close the Caledonia office,” adding, “We are happy to be here.” She noted that Emplify works closely with the other Caledonia healthcare providers.
Mell said Mell Chiropractic, a single-doctor practice opened in 2011, provides services to patients of all ages. Recently they just saw a newborn and their oldest patient is 101 years old. In addition to chiropractic care, the clinic does sports physical, hot and cold pack therapy, blood pressure checks, and accepts major insurance carriers.
“Most insurance companies cover chiropractor services,” Mell said. She noted a couple of major concerns: the decline in local chiropractic providers and recent changes in state health coverage. “When we opened in 2011 there were four chiropractors in town; now we’re the last one.”
“Due to the state budget, chiropractic care coverage was eliminated from the Medicaid and Minnesota healthcare programs starting January 1,” Mell said. “I worry this will snowball, with patients delaying care and being in a ton of pain, which is going to lead to more ambulance calls and higher cost.” She also cited transportation barriers as an ongoing challenge.
Middendorf described herself as the “new gal in town.” She is a nurse practitioner and owner of Caledonia Convenient Care. The clinic has evolved into a primary care, convenient care, maybe urgent care to some extent, she explained.
The conversation also touched on Rolling Hills Transit, with Dickson noting the need for legislative changes to allow Rolling Hills Transit to cross over to La Crosse, Wis., for services. This is an issue the city intends to explore.
In-home health care for the elderly was also mentioned, with attendees noting that Neighbors in Action located in La Crescent provides in-home support.
The town hall made it clear that while Caledonia offers many healthcare services, residents need better awareness of existing options and more services are still needed.
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