St. Francis & Three Links Merge Effective November 1st, 2023

Carol Raw, Jay Pizinger, Gary Miessler, Penny Rippentropp, Don Pavek, and Stanley Whitney

Three Links and St. Francis Health Services of Morris are pleased to announce that as of today, November 1st, 2023, we have merged services. Moving forward, the Three Links Campus will be known as Three Links Health Services accompanied by a new logo to represent the merge with St. Francis Health Services.

Today begins a new chapter in Three Link’s 124 – year history that will secure and shape Three Links’ future and grow our mission of Creating Peace of Mind for Those We Serve. We want to assure you of our continued commitment to providing exceptional care to the residents we serve and the communities we operate in.

The Three Links campus in Northfield, Minnesota consists of seven unique communities offering skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, respite care and independent subsidized apartments.  In addition to the Three Links Care Center campus, Three Links also has two senior living communities located in Northfield and Lonsdale. Millstream Commons, an independent and assisted living community, is in the heart of Northfield. Villages of Lonsdale provides independent, assisted and memory care services in Lonsdale.

To learn more about Three Links Health Services, please visit their website at

Assisted Living for Seniors | Assisted Living Facility | Northfield & Lonsdale, MN | Three Links

Cami Peterson-DeVries Celebrates an 18 Year Work Anniversary

Cami Peterson-DeVries

Cami has had quite a career with St. Francis starting in September of 2005 as the DON for Guardian Angels Health & Rehabilitation Center. Since 2005, she has served in a variety of capacities including ADM, Regional Director, VP of Compliance & Ethics & Leadership Development. In February of 2022 she began her work as VP of Senior Services.  At every position she has been a remarkable leader mentoring her staff along the way. She is a lifetime learner, problem solver and adapts well to whatever task is at hand!  We are extremely grateful for the work she does as an Executive Leader of St. Francis and look forward to working with her for many years to come. 

Congratulations Cami!

Merger Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

The members of The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of MN & Rebekahs of Northfield dba Three Links, with a 124-year tradition of providing exceptional patient care and St. Francis Health Services of Morris have agreed to merge the services provided by both entities effective 11/1/2023.

The Three Links campus in Northfield, Minnesota consists of seven unique communities offering skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, respite care and independent subsidized apartments.  In addition to the Three Links Care Center campus, Three Links also has two senior living communities located in Northfield and Lonsdale. Millstream Commons, an independent and assisted living community, is in the heart of Northfield. Villages of Lonsdale provides independent, assisted and memory care services in Lonsdale.

“Three Links has undergone significant growth and expansion in recent years, and we believe that this change will better reflect our current operations and future direction” stated Jay Pizinger, CEO and CFO of Three Links.

Carol Raw, President and CEO of St. Francis also commented “We have a long, proud history of supporting and partnering with care centers in rural communities and we are thrilled to be able to join Three Links in providing exceptional care to the community of Northfield through our shared missions of caring for the person first, with dignity that offers peace of mind.”

St. Francis was created in 1984 as a faith based, not-for-profit organization; formed to strategically expand senior services throughout Minnesota, and to meet the complex and diverse needs of vulnerable people of all ages with mental and intellectual disabilities. St. Francis consists of thirteen senior living communities throughout MN offering a full continuum of care and licensed residential homes for individuals with mental and intellectual disabilities.  To learn more about St. Francis, please visit our website at www.sfhs.org.

For information contact:

  • Carol Raw, CEO/President of St. Francis Health Services                                                        
  • 320.589.4917
  • carol.raw@sfhs.org         

OR                                               

Open House at Heritage Manor

Heritage Manor was proud invite the community in to tour the nearly 13-million-dollar remodeling project that was completed over the past few years.

The west wing originally built in the 1950’s, was demolished and replaced with a new pod consisting of 21 private rooms with private bathrooms, a state-of-the-art HVAC system, a new elevator for access to the lower level (LL) therapy suite, a new bathing suite, a dedicated space for resident activities and a large central space for social activity.   The LL therapy suite now has easy access parking and a direct entrance for outpatient therapy clients.

The kitchen was relocated to the main level adjacent to the updated dining room has replaced the 1950’s kitchen adding proper pantry storage, walk-in coolers and freezer and new equipment throughout. Other updates to existing areas of the care center include a bathing suite, all resident beds and furnishings and a new conference room adjacent to the front entrance. Not all changes are visible as the care center a new emergency generator, updated HVAC systems, new washers and dryers, and a new employee breakroom as well as new office space on the main floor. 

We want to thank all who attended and to all our guest speakers. Thank you to all of those to help make this event possible: Upper Lakes Foods, Martha Bush, Valentini’s, Tom and Jerry’s, Mary’s Lake Street Floral, and all the Heritage Manor team.

Special thanks to Pastor Paul Strommer for blessing our care center, Mayor Adam Lantz and Senator Rob Farsnworth for supporting our care center!

Thank you to the following for helping with our remodeling project:

  • Johnson Wilson
  • Jamar
  • Carlson Duluth Company
  • Hunt Electric
  • Praire Design Studio
  • Boelter
  • KTM Paving
  • Northland Consulting Engineers
  • Range Cornice

Long-Term Care Leaders Express Deep Disappointment in Conference Committee Bill That Neglects Critical Funding for All Minnesota’s Aging Services Settings

May 17, 2023 (St. Paul, MN) – Today, the long-term care leaders of Minnesota stand together in expressing our profound disappointment and concern over the human services conference committee bill that has failed to prioritize senior care. Despite the pressing needs of our aging population and the undeniable crisis unfolding within our care system, this bill falls woefully short in addressing the dire situation faced by seniors, families, and communities across Minnesota.  While the bill makes a significant investment in home and community-based services programs, including assisted living, it leaves bare a key segment of the healthcare continuum—nursing homes.

Newly released data has unveiled the distressing reality that record numbers of seniors are being denied the care they desperately need. Shockingly, every day, 450 referrals for care are denied, leaving vulnerable individuals without the support they require. Moreover, nearly 20,000 long-term care positions remain vacant, exacerbating an already strained workforce.

The current nursing home payment system currently leaves a 21-month backlog, leaving providers unable to cover their operational costs and creating financial instability. This situation is made worse by high inflation and workforce pressures. As a result, seniors have been uprooted from their homes, families have been separated from their loved ones, and communities suffer the loss of vital care resources. Finally, the strain placed on hospitals by the absence of accessible long-term care settings further taxes the entire healthcare system.

It is disheartening that despite the $17 billion surplus, the critical needs of seniors in Minnesota are not being adequately addressed. One-time solutions like workforce bonuses and a loan program for nursing homes included in the bill fail to provide the sustained support needed to address this crisis and should not be considered a solution to the issues that have been raised this session.

We, as long-term care leaders, call upon our state’s legislators to reassess their priorities and recognize the urgent need for robust funding and sustainable solutions that can address the crisis at hand. The well-being and dignity of our seniors and the stability of our communities should not be compromised by insufficient allocations.

The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. We implore our state’s leaders to prioritize the well-being and dignity of Minnesota’s seniors by recognizing the gravity of the situation and take immediate action to address the critical funding shortfall.

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The Long-Term Care Imperative (LTCI) is a partnership of Minnesota’s two senior care provider associations – Care Providers of Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota. LTCI members employ 80,000 professional caregivers in Minnesota, meeting the needs of seniors in all the places seniors call home – including short-term care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing homes.

Biden Administration Announce Executive Order for Caregivers

The Biden Administration outlined several new plans this week via executive order to support care workers and family caregivers. Continuing a framework set out early in the Biden campaign, the strategy targets caregivers in our sector, in addition to caregivers who work with children and people with disabilities.

However, the Executive Order brings much-needed attention without solutions to our sector. We are thankful our message is breaking through the walls of the White House. Still, the solutions outlined in the below fact sheet put one part of the caregiving sector against another and doesn’t consider the importance of the continuum of care. Yes, access to care is essential; but it must be the right care in the right place at the right time.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/04/18/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-most-sweeping-set-of-executive-actions-to-improve-care-in-history/

Congratulations to Amy Lhotka, our PR & Marketing Director on 3 years!

Amy has been on a path of continuous growth and learning in her role at St. Francis Health Services. She is willing to research any topic she does not have solid knowledge of and sharing with her coworkers what she learns. She takes initiative and is quick to offer assistance; readily available to troubleshoot issues that come before her.  She is sincere and thoughtful and seeks to find the best in all who work with her.  As the lead on all things related to public relations and marketing for St. Francis, she has successfully transitioned outdated social media, introduced knew software, tools and systems and grown her department to a valuable asset for all of St. Francis. She has implemented a system of marketing reviews to improve customer communications throughout St. Francis and was invaluable during the Covid pandemic.  She is dedicated to St. Francis Health Services, our mission and core values, showing by example integrity, commitment, respect, excellence, service and stewardship. She is a team player, but more than that, appreciates that collaborating with others is necessary to    successfully complete a project.

Thanks so much for all you do on behalf of St. Francis Amy.  We appreciate you! 

-Carol Raw

Carol A. Raw, CEO/President

Reed Hofmann has joined our corporate team as VP of Information Systems and Security!

Reed has nearly 30 years of experience as an innovative leader driving business value through the use of technology while also maximizing operational excellence.  For the last 17 years, Reed has been with Ascensus, LLC in various technology leadership roles, most recently as the VP, IT -Corporate. Prior to that time, he worked for Prairie St. John’s and MeritCare Health System. 

Reed is a results oriented and highly motivated business professional with exceptional skills at leading technology teams both nationally and globally in organizations of all sizes.  He has a demonstrated ability to solve complex issues, envision solutions, set priorities and drive initiatives that align with organizational strategies.

Reed grew up in Medina ND; attended Moorhead Technical College and the University of Mary, holding a BS in Computer Information Systems and Masters of Management (MM).  He also maintains active security (CISSP) and audit (CISA) certifications. 

Reed is married with 3 children and enjoys spending time with family and his 4 dogs, as well as going on mission trips. 

Reed will begin his role as VP of ISS on May 8th.  He can be reached at rphofmann@sfhs.org. Please help give him a warm St. Francis welcome!

Becerra Addresses Top Aging Issues Before House Committee

by Libbie Chapuran, LAMN

On March 28, US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss the President’s FY24 budget proposal. Top aging services issues were discussed, such as the Three-Day Hospital Stay Requirement, Nursing Home Mandatory Staffing Ratios, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

Here are a few highlights from the hearing:

  • Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) praised the budget proposal to add $150 billion to fund Medicaid home and community-based services but emphasized that given the aging demographics and need for personal care services amongst our aging population, expanding Medicaid HCBS was not enough to solve the problem. She pressed Secretary Becerra to think about how to fund necessary long-term care outside of the Medicaid program (the only government funding mechanism currently).
  • Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) asked about some COVID waivers, including the three-day stay, and the impact of these waivers ending with the Public Health Emergency on access to care. Secretary Becerra indicated he would need Congress’s help, and we will follow up with Rep. Smith to pursue his interest.
  • Several members asked about the President’s nursing home reform proposal. The Secretary spoke a lot about the transparency rule and the budget request for more money for program integrity. He also mentioned this budget request in relation to hospice program integrity oversight.