How independent practices benefit patients. Navigating the complex healthcare system is undoubtedly a difficult feat. Having options and the ability to make choices that best fit your medical needs is empowering and reassuring. Working with and seeking medical advice from an Independent Group Practice provides an extra level of care and flexibility, while still having all the benefits of a large medical group. Says Brent Wilde, CEO of Stellis Health, “I began my career in the big health systems, including Fairview and the University [of Minnesota], and bigger has not proven to be better. We as consumers need more independence….”

When searching for birthday cards at the store, especially for a 50th birthday, inevitably you will find at least a handful with jokes regarding colonoscopies – “Look who’s all grown up and ready for a colonoscopy! Happy 50th Birthday!” There are a multitude of jokes, comics, and memes on the topic, but colorectal care and cancer prevention is no laughing matter. It is estimated that colon cancer causes 50,000 deaths annually. However, if detected early, it is also one of the most treatable forms of cancer.

It may be an uncomfortable topic, but colorectal care and cancer screening should never be

Stellis Health has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

Brent Wilde was recently named chief executive officer of Stellis Health, succeeding Douglas Hanson who is retiring later this month. “We are excited to introduce Brent Wilde as our CEO,” says Jason Halvorson, MD, president of Stellis Health. “With nearly 30 years of hospital and clinic operations experience, Brent is an accomplished executive with proven success who truly complements our clinic and community.”

Brent is a visionary, values-driven leader who creates strong, sustainable partnerships. He has outstanding interpersonal communication skills and is committed to results-oriented leadership and team building. “Stellis Health is a high performing organization with a tremendous 70-year legacy of caring,”

Frontline workers at Stellis Health are now getting the vaccine protection they need against COVID-19. “We’re vaccinating frontline caregivers with the highest risk of being exposed to COVID-19 first so they can continue to provide critical care to others who may be infected with COVID-19,” says Douglas Hanson, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of Stellis Health. Stellis Health family medicine physician Natalie Roeser, MD; pediatrician Matt Hoffman, MD; and OB/GYN Amanda Zehrer, MD, were among the first to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Stellis Health is working with the Minnesota Department of Health to assist in rolling out vaccine protection to all clinic staff and the public in the coming weeks.

Douglas Hanson, CEO of Stellis Health, has been named one of 100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders in 2020 by Minnesota Physician. Deemed by their peers to be highly influential in terms of leadership and impact, the 100 leaders are known for making health care in Minnesota a global model of excellence.

“Our people are what make Stellis Health among the very best in health care,” says Jason Halvorson, MD, President at Stellis Health. “Throughout his tenure, Douglas (Hanson) has continuously positioned Stellis Health for the future by ensuring we remain agile