Lakewood Health System Breaks Ground on New Cancer Center

By Wade Swenson, MD

oncology case managers will be located within the new space for easy access to patients.

At Lakewood Health System, we know access to timely cancer care is crucial, particularly in rural areas like those here in Minnesota. In rural communities, patients often face challenges such as long travel distances, limited healthcare facilities, and even fewer specialists. These barriers can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, significantly impacting patient outcomes. Quick access to cancer care is essential for early detection and effective treatment, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.

has four full time oncology providers, recently adding Dr. Emily McGovern, and a sixth, Dr. Aquino Williams, set to join the practice in the fall of 2025. With these additions, we are doing everything we can to eliminate barriers to care by providing quick access to patients throughout the area.

Establishing a community-based cancer center is a game changer for the region and the impact of this project extends beyond the immediate healthcare benefits. It signifies a commitment to the long-term well-being and development of central Minnesota and the Lakewood communities. By investing in such a facility, we are improving healthcare access and contributing to the region’s economic and social vitality. The cancer center will create jobs, foster community engagement, and position central Minnesota as a healthcare innovation and excellence hub.

medical oncology and 2 radiation oncology exam rooms, a procedure room, in-house PET/CT, and a linear accelerator, used for radiation treatments. Additionally,

Lakewood is addressing this critical need by providing comprehensive cancer care close to home in Staples, MN. In addition to myself, Lakewood now just off Highway 371 North in Baxter. With the arrival of the first Kwik Trip, more were expected to be constructed in the area and it didn’t take long for additional plans to surface. In May, the Echo Journal reported a development company has an active purchase agreement with Kwik Trip to build a gas station on the west side of Highway 371 in Pequot Lakes, at the highway and County Road 11. The project is in a preliminary stage and, if it is eventually approved, would be the first major development on the highway since it expanded to four lanes in 2017, Nancy Vogt, Echo Journal editor, wrote on May 14.

As a medical professional committed to this cause, I am incredibly proud to be part of this transformative journey. Our collective efforts today will pave the way for a healthier, more resilient community tomorrow, where high-quality cancer care is accessible to all in the heart of central Minnesota.

More new jobs will be added with the addition of the Amazon distribution center in Baxter’s Industrial Park with plans to start construction this fall. Amazon plans to build a 49,500-square-foot last-mile distribution facility on a 20-acre site on Timberwood Drive, off Highway 210 on Baxter’s west side. The plans come with a potential 19,000-square-foot expansion, bringing the possible total building size to 68,500 square feet.

Projects started and highlighted last year were completed, such as longtime manufacturer Clow Stamping’s expansion near Merrifield. The company has grown from a 15,750-square-foot facility, which it purchased in 1973 and moved all production to in 1985, to more than 285,000-square-feet with more than 500 full-time employees today. The recent $18.9 million expansion is expected to create 65 jobs over the next two years with an average wage of $17.50.

Other longstanding companies had milestones, like Sheridan, formerly known as Bang Printing, which celebrated its 125th anniversary on July 22 at its Brainerd printing facility.

Owner and CEO of CJK Group, the parent company of Sheridan, Chris Kurtzman, at the celebration noted the business started in downtown Brainerd and has been in the family since 1980.

“It’s just a fantastic community with a great core of employees,” Kurtzman said. “I think of the growth we’ve had, all of us collectively, starting here (and growing) to several thousand employees. It couldn’t be done without all of your support.”

Another longstanding community business, Brekken’s, announced it was going full circle and back to its roots in downtown Brainerd with a move out of the Westgate Mall in September.

“I’m excited about being part of the downtown redevelopment that I’ve seen happening, and I thought that the future would be that area,” owner Isaac Brekken said. He pointed to the continuing evolution and buzz in Crosby with new businesses and renovation fueled by the mountain bike trails and work downtown Brainerd has already accomplished to renovate as well. Brekken didn’t just move into the open retail space, he purchased the iconic Parker Building, also often known as the Menk Building for longtime former owner Ed Menk, who continues to operate his jewelry business at the corner of Laurel and Seventh streets.

After being vacant since the pandemic, the former Northwind Grille space was transformed into the Chick N Rice restaurant via the entrepreneurial nature of restauranteur and mushroom farmer Thamrong “Keng” Dechawuth, who is the registered agent with the business, which is

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Land amusement park and Pioneer Village are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day another big event takes place in October. Things turn dark the last three Fridays and Saturdays of the month, and Hidden Hollows emerges.

A haunted house and corn maze emerge on the property, scaring all the daring visitors since 1998. Planning for the holiday is a year-round task, as they look to up their game every year with new scary attractions.

“People come, and they have high expectations for us,” Moon said.

But those expectations don’t stop in the summer either. While it might be a different crowd looking for some good, family fun instead of a spine-chilling scare, the expectations are still there for a top-notch experience that keeps them coming back year after year.

“It’s the memories that they create that day,” Moon said. “If grandma and grandpa, mom and dad are with them, it’s a memory day.”

For Rademacher, it’s the place’s already well-known and long-established history that keeps it going today.

“Generations of people knowing what’s here, generations of people talking to Paul,” he said. And generations of Paul talking back.

As Hans puts it: “With a big voice, comes big responsibility.”

Paul Bunyan Land City: East of Brainerd.

Number of employees: 45-50 during the summer season. Interesting fact: Paul Bunyan’s footprints from the original Paul Bunyan location are still visible in the parking lot at Kohl’s.

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch. com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ DispatchTheresa. Paul Bunyan l and CONTINUED FROM H4