Kittson Healthcare

10/20/2026

💙 A friendly reminder: planning ahead is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself — and for the people you love.

An advance directive helps make your healthcare wishes known and identifies who you trust to make decisions for you if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself.

It’s not something reserved for older adults or people facing a serious diagnosis. Any adult can benefit from having a plan in place.

If you’ve been meaning to learn more, this is a good time to start.

Read our blog to learn what an advance directive is, why it matters, and how Kittson Healthcare Social Services can help you take the next step.

Questions? Contact Kittson Healthcare Social Services at (218) 843-3841.

Explore expert health tips, wellness advice, and community news on the Kittson Healthcare blog. Stay connected and take charge of your health!

10/19/2026

Karlstad clinic will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20th.
Lab services will be available from 8-noon.

10/18/2026

💊 There’s a lot that happens between “Your prescription is ready” and the moment you take that medication home.

Behind the scenes, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians check doses, watch for possible medication interactions, answer questions, communicate with providers, and make sure patients understand how to take their medications safely.

It’s detailed work—and work most of us probably don’t think much about until we need it.

At Kittson Healthcare, our pharmacy team plays an important role beyond the pharmacy counter. Their knowledge supports medication safety and patient care in our retail pharmacy, hospital, and long-term care setting.

During National Pharmacy Week, we’re taking the opportunity to recognize the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who do this work every day.

Whether they’re filling a prescription, answering a medication question, working with a provider, or helping behind the scenes, they’re an important part of the care we provide here at Kittson Healthcare.

Thank you to our pharmacy team for all you do for our patients and our community. We’re glad to have you here. 💙

10/10/2026

💚 You don’t have to wait until things are falling apart to ask for help.

Mental health concerns don’t always look like a crisis.

Sometimes they look like:

• Not sleeping well
• Worrying more than usual
• Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
• Pulling away from family or friends
• Feeling exhausted, irritable, or overwhelmed
• Simply thinking, “I don’t feel like myself lately.”

This time of year can make those feelings even harder. Shorter days, work, family responsibilities, finances, grief, and loneliness can all take a toll.

It can be easy to tell yourself:

“I’m just tired.”
“I’ll get through it.”
“Other people have it worse.”

But you don’t have to wait until things feel unmanageable.

If something feels off, that’s reason enough to talk to someone.

Your primary care provider is a great place to start. At Kittson Healthcare, our providers can help with concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and changes in mood. They can talk through what you're experiencing, discuss treatment options, help with medication management when appropriate, and connect you with additional mental health services if needed.

Sometimes, the first step is simply saying:

“I’m not doing very well right now.”

Kittson Healthcare also partners with Alluma to provide mental health support close to home in both Hallock and Karlstad.

💚 Amelia Ganyo, LPCC
📍 Hallock Clinic: Tuesday–Thursday
📍 Karlstad Clinic: Mondays

Not sure where to start? Give us a call. Whether you want to talk with your regular healthcare provider or explore counseling services, we can help you find the support you need.

📞 Hallock Clinic: 218-843-2165
📞 Karlstad Clinic: 218-436-2251
📞 Alluma: 218-281-3940

If you need immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. You don't have to be suicidal to reach out.

World Mental Health Day is a good reminder of something we want our community to know all year long:

You don’t have to carry everything by yourself. Help is available close to home. 💚

🔗

Get the support you need at Kittson Healthcare with specialized mental health services, including EMDR, DBT, and expressive arts therapy. Amelia Ganyo, LPCC, is available to help.

10/09/2026

💚 A Little Learning, A Lot to Bring Back Home!

There's something to be said for learning from others who understand what it takes to keep rural healthcare strong.

Over the past year, Kalie Bjerke, Hospital Director of Nursing, and Jen Peterson, Director of Clinic Nursing and Patient Safety, have had the opportunity to do just that through the Minnesota Hospital Foundation Leadership Academy.

They recently wrapped up the yearlong program, connecting with healthcare professionals from across Minnesota, sharing ideas, and building their leadership skills along the way.

Even better? Kalie and Jen were part of the very first group to complete the Academy, helping pave the way for others!

At Kittson Healthcare, growing strong leaders is part of building a strong future for rural healthcare. Opportunities like this help our team members develop new skills, learn from others, and bring fresh ideas back to their coworkers and the communities we serve.

After all, when we invest in our people, we're also investing in the care of our friends, families, and neighbors right here in Kittson County.

We're proud of you both, Kalie and Jen! Congratulations on a job well done! 💚

09/30/2026

📣 Kennedy + Hallock — we’re coming to you TODAY!

Join us for Your Health. Your Hospital. Your Voice. and be part of the conversation about the future of local healthcare.

Learn what services are available right here, why choosing local care helps keep local care strong, and share what you’d like to see next.

📍 Kennedy
VFW | 12:30

📍Hallock
Kittson Healthcare Conference Rm B | 5 pm

💙 Your health. Your hospital. Your voice.

City of Kennedy Hallock Mainstreet

💙 YOUR HEALTH. YOUR HOSPITAL. YOUR VOICE.

What should healthcare look like in Kittson County—not just today, but for the years ahead?

We want you to be part of that conversation.

This September, Kittson Healthcare is coming to Lancaster, Karlstad, Kennedy and Hallock for a series of one-hour community conversations. Over light refreshments, we’ll share more about the care available right here at home—and, more importantly, listen to you.

What should we maintain? What could we expand? What should change? What services are missing?

Rural healthcare is strongest when the community knows what’s available, uses local care when it meets their needs, and has a voice in what comes next. Your input can help us make thoughtful decisions about the future of Kittson Healthcare and the services available close to home.

You might even be surprised by how much care is already right next door. 🏡💙

☕ Come for the refreshments. Stay for the conversation.
No speeches required. No healthcare expertise needed. Just bring your perspective as someone who lives, works or raises a family in our community.

📅 SEPTEMBER 23
📍 Lancaster Community Center | 12:30–1:30 p.m.
📍 Karlstad Senior Center | 5–6 p.m.

📅 SEPTEMBER 30
📍 Kennedy VFW Middle Room | 12:30–1:30 p.m.
📍 Hallock — Kittson Healthcare, Conference Room B | 5–6 p.m.

Choose whichever location works best for you. All Kittson County residents are welcome.

Add the EVENT to your calendar: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LX6NyVNQx/

Discover the care right next door—and help us shape what comes next.

09/30/2026

📅 Scheduling your next appointment is easier than ever.

At Kittson Healthcare, you have options to schedule care in the way that works best for you.

📱 Guided Scheduling
No MyChart account? No problem!

If your provider has recommended a follow-up appointment, you may receive a text with a suggested appointment time. From there, you can:

✔ Confirm
✔ Reschedule
✔ Or call us if you need help

❤️ Online Scheduling with MyChart

Already use MyChart?

Browse available appointment times online and choose what works best for your schedule.

New to MyChart?
You can create an account online and use MyChart through your web browser or the MyChart mobile app.

Once you're signed in, MyChart can also help you access medical records, billing information, and other health information in one convenient place.

Whether you prefer a suggested appointment or choosing your own, we're making it easier to access care close to home.

📲 Learn more or sign up here:
https://kittsonhc.org/services/patient-access/mysanford-chart.html

Questions? We're happy to help!

📞 Hallock Clinic: 218-843-2165
📞 Karlstad Clinic: 218-436-2251

09/25/2026

Burgers, all the fixings, a little ice cream, and plenty of smiles. Now that’s how you spend a Friday! 🍔🍦

Our Dietary team put together a pretty tasty cookout for residents and staff today, with plenty of teamwork to make it happen. Maintenance got everything set up, Andrea and Kathy fired up the grills, and Sabrina from Housekeeping jumped in to help serve.

A special thank you to the Kittson Healthcare Auxiliary for donating the grill and ice cream maker, which were both put to good use today. ❤️

09/23/2026

💙 TONIGHT: Your Health. Your Hospital. Your Voice.

Give us one hour. Bring your questions. And help shape the future of healthcare close to home.

We’ll talk about:
✔️ Services already available locally
✔️ Why using local healthcare matters
✔️ What Kittson Healthcare is working toward
✔️ What YOU want to see in the future

📍 Lancaster Community Center | 12:30 pm
📍 Karlstad Community Center | 5 pm
🥤 Light refreshments provided

Your healthcare. Your community. Your voice matters

💙 YOUR HEALTH. YOUR HOSPITAL. YOUR VOICE.

What should healthcare look like in Kittson County—not just today, but for the years ahead?

We want you to be part of that conversation.

This September, Kittson Healthcare is coming to Lancaster, Karlstad, Kennedy and Hallock for a series of one-hour community conversations. Over light refreshments, we’ll share more about the care available right here at home—and, more importantly, listen to you.

What should we maintain? What could we expand? What should change? What services are missing?

Rural healthcare is strongest when the community knows what’s available, uses local care when it meets their needs, and has a voice in what comes next. Your input can help us make thoughtful decisions about the future of Kittson Healthcare and the services available close to home.

You might even be surprised by how much care is already right next door. 🏡💙

☕ Come for the refreshments. Stay for the conversation.
No speeches required. No healthcare expertise needed. Just bring your perspective as someone who lives, works or raises a family in our community.

📅 SEPTEMBER 23
📍 Lancaster Community Center | 12:30–1:30 p.m.
📍 Karlstad Senior Center | 5–6 p.m.

📅 SEPTEMBER 30
📍 Kennedy VFW Middle Room | 12:30–1:30 p.m.
📍 Hallock — Kittson Healthcare, Conference Room B | 5–6 p.m.

Choose whichever location works best for you. All Kittson County residents are welcome.

Add the EVENT to your calendar: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LX6NyVNQx/

Discover the care right next door—and help us shape what comes next.

09/23/2026

💊 For 14 years, Nicole Johnson has helped care for Kittson County—often in ways patients may never see.

As one of Kittson Healthcare’s pharmacists, Nicole’s work reaches across our healthcare system. She serves primarily as our hospital pharmacist, provides coverage in our retail pharmacy, and works with our nursing home as its Long-Term Care Consultant Pharmacist.

Her path to pharmacy started close to home, too. With a natural love for math and science, Nicole took her first job at her hometown drug store—and discovered the career that was right for her.

Today, she sees firsthand why having healthcare available locally matters.

💙 For Nicole, access to preventive care close to home means our neighbors have more opportunities to stay current on screenings, identify concerns earlier, and get the care they need before a health issue becomes more serious.

But Nicole isn't only someone you'll find at Kittson Healthcare.

You might see her walking or biking the trails at Lake Bronson State Park, heading to her kids' activities at Kittson Central, enjoying a Ranger ride, or picking up groceries at The Farmers Store.

That's one of the special things about rural healthcare: the people caring for our community are part of it, too.

Nicole, thank you for 14 years of expertise, dedication, and care for our neighbors. We're grateful you're part of the Kittson Healthcare team! 💙