Fairview Health Services

Three years. 1,000 robotic surgeries. In 2023, M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center performed its first robotic-assisted surgery. This spring, the team completed its 1,000th general and gynecological surgery case — a major milestone reached in just three years. Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision and visualization. For patients, that can mean less pain, smaller scars, shorter hospital stays, and a faster return to everyday life. It also means advanced surgical care is available closer to home for patients outside the Twin Cities, reducing travel so people can focus on healing. This milestone reflects the expertise, collaboration, and commitment of the surgical teams who helped build the program together. Leave a 👏 to help congratulate the Lakes team on this accomplishment.

Dulce Salazar was so nervous about starting her summer internship as a nurse at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital, she didn’t sleep the night before. Joy Wenzel, a family nurse practitioner, changed that. “From the moment I arrived, Joy greeted me with a warm smile and made me feel welcome,” Dulce said. “She introduced me to the team and created an environment where I felt supported right away.” As a nurse preceptor, Joy helps future nurses build confidence not just through clinical training, but through compassion, patience, and encouragement. Joy’s approach helped turn Dulce’s uncertainty into purpose and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to care for patients and their families. Last week, Dulce graduated with her nursing degree. Joy was right beside her at her pinning ceremony. During Nurses Week, we are celebrating the nurses who help create an environment where support and empathy shape the future of care. Join us in celebrating Joy, Dulce, and all of our incredible nurses.

For Native American women, gaps in care and trust can have devastating consequences. Native mothers face a maternal mortality rate 12 times higher than the statewide average. Most of these deaths are preventable. This needs to change. M Health Fairview’s Birth Justice Initiative was created to address these racial disparities in maternal mortality across BIPOC communities. Building trust is at the foundation of this work. “We can make these changes internally, but if people don’t trust Fairview, they’re not going to come here,” said Heather Fahey, clinical pharmacist and leader with our health system’s Indigenous Healing Circle employee resource group in an interview with the Sahan Journal. Better maternal outcomes start with listening. Learn more about this work and read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g9pu5jdu

When 11-year-old Oliver Gilpin’s severe acid reflux didn’t respond to standard treatments, our care teams took a different approach. Pediatric gastroenterologist Aayush Gabrani, MD, with M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School, performed an endoscopic procedure commonly used in adults — marking the first time it had been performed in a child. The result: no surgery and the relief Oliver has been searching for. Today, he is pain-free and back to being a kid. This is how breakthroughs happen: driven by teams who don’t stop searching for answers and a young patient brave enough to try something new.

Ryan Shirk felt completely healthy. But his heart was secretly at risk for cardiac arrest. His family’s health history led him to pursue genetic testing — revealing a potentially serious underlying heart condition. A wearable monitor confirmed it: his heart was at serious risk of cardiac arrest. Early detection allowed our skilled heart experts to act quickly and prevent a possible tragedy. At M Health Fairview, patients like Ryan have access to one of the few cardiology genetics programs in the country—bringing together cardiovascular specialists and genetic experts to identify risk earlier and guide personalized care. Even though he had no outward symptoms, Ryan took a proactive approach to taking care of his health. And the right experts were able to act when it mattered most. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gPNyUXRd

Sometimes what patients need isn’t another app. They need a person. Our Digital Navigator program pairs volunteers with patients for real-time, in-person support using tools like MyChart and MyChart Bedside. The program is designed to ensure technology enhances – rather than complicates – the healthcare experience. This kind of one-on-one support makes for a difference for patients: • Easier access to appointments and results • More confidence navigating care • More time for care teams to focus on patients As we expand this model across our metro sites, we’re building a more accessible, efficient care experience. This is what access looks like in action, powered by volunteers who meet patients where they are. Join us in thanking our volunteers who make programs like this possible. #VolunteerAppreciation

She came home from school with a lump in her neck. The next day, she was diagnosed with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma. When Kirsten Kosbab’s life changed overnight, care teams from across Fairview and University of Minnesota Physicians helped her find a new path forward. A newer treatment combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy helped Kirsten’s body battle cancer, avoiding the need for radiation and the long-term risks that come with it. Today, Kirsten is cancer-free. Her story is a testament to the true strength of our long-standing partnership with University of Minnesota Physicians, and how our new expanded clinical partnership will continue to move care forward. Find her full story and more here: https://lnkd.in/gHs7UZ_w

When Quynh Nguyen picked up a free naloxone kit at work, she didn’t expect to use it. Days later, it helped her save a life. Quynh — a medical scribe at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank — recognized the signs of an overdose in her neighbor and acted quickly. She administered naloxone and began CPR until emergency responders arrived. “I'm just thinking to myself, how grateful I am to have that kit,” she shared. “I'm seeing far too many young lives being claimed by overdose when literally there's a life-saving kit that can fit in any purse.” Today, free naloxone kits are available free, no questions asked at nine M Health Fairview locations across Minnesota. This work is made possible by our partnership with Steve Rummler HOPE Network. Expanding access doesn’t just increase awareness — it equips more people to act when it matters. Quynh's story is proof of this. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g3BZxgNt

Every day across our health system, over 9,600 nurses deliver care that shapes better outcomes – from nationally recognized safety performance to consistent high-quality patient experiences. These aren’t just system achievements. They are the result of daily decisions to lead with compassion, expertise, and a commitment to care. Nurses like Amy Johnson exemplify this work. Her 50-year career with Fairview reflects a legacy of care, mentorship, and defining what excellence in nursing looks like. Read her story and more in our 2025 Nursing Annual Report. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gGq5tMmr

Last year, we launched a first-of-its-kind helicopter-supported ECMO program at M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center, enabling specialized teams to reach rural Minnesota quickly and provide advanced cardiac support for patients in cardiac arrest. This model is a meaningful step forward in reducing time to treatment and expanding access to advanced care beyond traditional settings – especially when minutes can determine outcomes. It’s also a reflection of what sustained partnership can achieve. Fairview’s and University of Minnesota Physicians' expanded clinical partnership agreement continues to strengthen how we deliver care—together—across Minnesota. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gHs7UZ_w