CROSBY — After working closely for years, the hospital and clinic in Crosby are now integrated. 

The Central Lakes Medical Clinic and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center boards of directors recently authorized the two health care organizations to integrate. The group reported that CLMC and CRMC have worked closely together for many years toward the goal of building a comprehensive medical campus to serve the people of the area.  

A number of years ago, some hospital and clinic departments were co-located in anticipation that some day the two organizations would likely integrate. Today, as health care organizations face new challenges, such as pending health care reform, increasing costs, a changing health care market and the economic downturn, the timing was right to bring the two organizations together.

“Providing exceptional care and service to our patients and the community is our number one priority,” said Dr. George Kuhlmann, CLMC president in a news release. “That won’t change. We believe as one organization we will be able to further enhance the quality and coordination of the care we provide.”

The two organizations also have worked together to build relationships and partnerships with other health care providers in an effort to meet the health care needs of the area and to bring as many services as possible to the medical campus. This has included partnerships with organizations such as the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Adult & Pediatric Urology and Presbyterian Homes & Services.  

“Our vision for local health remains the same,” said Tom Reek, CRMC CEO. “We want to provide a full spectrum of high quality services in one convenient location close to home.”  

The two organizations said that they will be better positioned for success under new payment models and other changes that will come with health care reform. The new structure will provide additional opportunities to streamline services and reduce costs.

The combined entities reported the integration will provide further opportunity for growth.  

“The area we serve is growing and the population is aging,” Kuhlmann said. “Joining together will put us in a better position to recruit physicians and other medical professionals as well as adding new services.” 

The new combined organization will have a work force of more than 850 and provide primary and specialty care services.