CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital & Sauk Centre Hospital Recognized for AHA Milestones

This week the American Hospital Association (AHA) presented the AHA 100-year milestone award to leaders of CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital and the AHA 75-year milestone for CentraCare - Sauk Centre Hospital.

Liz Summy, FACHE, AHA Regional Executive, and Susan Doherty, VP, AHA Field Engagement and Rural Health Services, came to Minnesota to present the awards in person to senior executives including CentraCare CEO and President Ken Holmen and CentraCare - Sauk Centre President Adam Paulson.

St. Cloud

St. Cloud Hospital was among the earliest members in the AHA. While the AHA was founded in 1898, the first year of admitting institutional members was 1919.

• 1886: Founded by the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, St. Cloud Hospital began as St. Benedict's Hospital in response to urgent health care needs in Central Minnesota, especially after a devastating tornado that same year. The Sisters provided compassionate care to the injured, laying the foundation for the hospital's legacy.
• 1925: Joined the American Hospital Association, among the earliest members
• 1928: After two relocations, the Sisters borrowed $2 million to build a new facility on Sixth Avenue North. The hospital was formally dedicated as St. Cloud Hospital.
• 1962: The hospital transitioned to a not-for-profit corporation. The Sisters transferred ownership of the hospital and its contents to the community for $1.
• 1995: St. Cloud Hospital partnered with the St. Cloud Clinic of Internal Medicine, forming CentraCare Health System.
• Present Day: CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital is the largest health care facility in the region, operating as a Level II Trauma Center and offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services.

"This recognition not only celebrates a century of partnership with the AHA, but also reflects our enduring commitment to compassionate, high-quality care for the communities we serve," said CentraCare President and CEO Ken Holmen. "We are proud to stand alongside the AHA in advancing health care and grateful for the generations of caregivers, leaders, and community members who have shaped our legacy."

Sauk Centre

American Hospital Association presented an award to Sauk Centre Hospital in recognition of 75 years of dedicated membership, participation and leadership in advancing health care for rural communities.

• 1950: St. Michael's Hospital was established and owned by the Franciscan Sisters, joined AHA.
• 1970: The City of Sauk Centre acquired the hospital, transitioning to community-based governance.
• 2006: Major construction and renovation modernized the facility, adding new patient care areas and expanding services.
• 2011: The hospital joined CentraCare.
• 2012: St. Michael's Hospital formally integrated into CentraCare.
• Present Day: Now known as CentraCare - Sauk Centre Hospital, it is a designated Level IV Trauma Center and critical access hospital, co-located with a family medicine clinic serving nearly 17,000 residents in rural west central Minnesota.

"This milestone honors not just our past, but the future we're building," said Adam Paulson, President of CentraCare - Sauk Centre. "For 75 years, we've evolved to meet the changing needs of our community. As part of CentraCare, we remain committed to advancing rural healthcare with innovation, compassion and purpose."

These milestone awards from the AHA honor CentraCare's enduring legacy of leadership, innovation and compassionate care. As CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital celebrates a century of impact and CentraCare – Sauk Centre marks 75 years of service, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to advancing health and well-being across Minnesota's communities.