Mar. 5, 2008

CONTACT:
Communications Department
(320) 251-2700, ext. 74980

CentraCare expands dialysis program to Cambridge

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The anticipated opening of CentraCare Kidney Program-Cambridge Dialysis is March 24 with 15 dialysis stations. An open house is planned from 2-6 p.m. April 23 at 520 11th Ave. S.W. in Cambridge.

Affiliated with St. Cloud Hospital, CentraCare Kidney Program-Dialysis is a not-for-profit service, which adheres to the hospital’s mission of improving the health and quality of life for the people it serves in a manner that reflects the healing mission of Jesus. The dialysis program aims to provide safe and effective high-quality care close to home.

With the addition of Cambridge and the opening of a Litchfield site in May, the CentraCare Kidney Program offers hemodialysis services to nine communities including: Alexandria, Big Lake, Brainerd, Little Falls, Princeton, St. Cloud and Staples. Together, the outpatient dialysis program provides approximately 43,000 treatments a year.

In addition to the nine outpatient units, CentraCare Kidney Program provides training and follow-up for home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in the St. Cloud area. St. Cloud Hospital also provides hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy for acutely ill inpatients, therapeutic plasma exchange for patients with neurological problems, and aquapheresis to remove excess fluids from congestive heart failure patients.

Tom Leither, M.D., is the program’s senior nephrologist and program medical director. He and Dialysis Director Cathy Sindelir have been with the program since its inception in 1987.

To make a referral to dialysis services, please call the CentraCare Dialysis admissions nurse at
(800) 835-6652, ext. 24542.

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