After years of hard work, Allina Health and the city of Isanti have broken ground for a new clinic.
A formal ground-breaking was held June 9 for the new Allina Health Isanti Clinic to be constructed at the southwest corner of Highway 65 and County Road 5. The clinic is expected to open in early 2017.
The Isanti City Council was first approached about the project in 2005, and according to Isanti Mayor George Wimmer, it took a lot of dedication from all involved.
“Having the clinic here has been a long-term effort by all of the players,” Wimmer said.
Cambridge Medical Center President Gary Shaw discussed the importance of the new clinic.
“This clinic will continue our care in ways Allina has never seen before,” he said. “It’s a clinic model to provide access. It’s integrated with mental health care.”
The community has come together to provide support for the new clinic. According to Shaw, more than 30
individual groups and businesses have contributed to the project.
Architects and planners for the new clinic have been talking to patients about the design and construction that will best support a healing environment for patients, community members and guests, as well as a work environment that is safe, healthy and effective for providers and staff members.
Community members have also made their voices heard, stating what they want out of the new clinic. After Allina conducted a community forum, it was apparent that the people want to focus on family care and “whole person care,” which focuses on physical and mental health.
The idea of whole person care is one that both Allina Health and the city of Isanti felt was key to the new clinic being a success. With more opportunities available, Allina hopes more people in need of help will step forward.
Along with mental health, the clinic will also focus on treating addiction and bringing in specialists for more specific health care needs.
“We want to help make it possible for every resident of Isanti County and the surrounding communities to receive comprehensive health care in a comfortable, convenient setting, close to home,” Shaw said. “Our growing community will benefit from the medical expertise provided at this clinic, which will provide family practice, pregnancy care, specialty care and mental health appointments. Courage Kenny Sports and Physical Therapy will offer physical rehabilitation care at the new clinic. Integrative medicine consults, nutrition consults, health coaching and healthy lifestyle programs will be available from the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing at the new clinic.”
The new clinic is expected to create a lasting impact on both the city of Isanti and Isanti County as a whole.
“It adds a new tax base, it will add new jobs to the area, and it will provide a service that we haven’t had before,” Wimmer said.