Senior Life Solutions

CHI LakeWood Health proudly announces the recipients of its prestigious 2024 Spirit Awards: Katie Levasseur, Registered Nurse; Linda Borowicz, Radiology Technologist; and Stacey Johnson, Occupational Therapist and Therapy Manager.

These esteemed individuals embody LakeWood’s mission, vision, values, and behavioral standards, demonstrating exceptional commitment to both the organization and the community it serves.  Selected through peer nominations, the Spirit Award recognizes their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication.

The awards were presented at CHI LakeWood Health’s annual Christmas celebration on Friday, December 6th, held at the VFW in Baudette.

Baudette, MN – July 8 – CHI LakeWood Health is pleased to announce the addition of Matt McGee, Physician Assistant, to its primary care team. McGee brings a wealth of experience in urgent care and emergency medicine, coupled with a passion for preventive care, to his new role. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Matt to our team,” said CeCe Johnson, CHI LakeWood Health Clinic Manager. “His extensive experience and commitment to patient care will make him a valuable asset to our community.” 

McGee, a native of the Minneapolis area, has a deep connection to the Brainerd Lakes region, where he spent much of his youth fishing. His passion for medicine was ignited through volunteer experiences in the ICU family lounge and hospice, leading him to pursue a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

With nearly a decade of experience in urgent care and emergency rooms, McGee excels in same-day clinic and urgent care visits. He has a diverse background, having worked in orthopedics, gastroenterology, pediatrics, and performed minor office procedures. He is 

excited to continue his transition into primary care, where he enjoys the focus on prevention and the variety of patient needs, from ENT and dermatology to women’s health, mental health, and cardiology. 

When not caring for patients, McGee enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, exploring Minnesota’s state parks, and coaching and officiating their youth sports teams. He also hopes to find more time for hunting with his dog. 

Jeffry Stampohar, President of CHI LakeWood Health, added: “We are committed to providing our community with access to high-quality, compassionate care. Matt’s

dedication to patient well-being and his diverse experience make him a perfect fit for our team. We are confident that he will make a positive impact on the lives of our patients.” 

McGee will start seeing patients on Friday, July 12th. To schedule an appointment call 218.634.1655. 

About CHI LakeWood Health 

CHI LakeWood Health has been an integral part of the Baudette community since 1950. The campus includes a 15-bed acute-care Critical Access Hospital, a Skilled Nursing Facility, and a family-practice Rural Health Clinic. LakeWood offers a variety of medical services, including Cardiac Rehab, Public Health, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies, Behavioral Health, Telemedicine, Visiting Nurse and Ambulance Services. 

CHI LakeWood Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthy communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. CommonSpirit Health operates 142 hospitals and more than 1,000 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2023, CommonSpirit Health provided $2.9 billion in community benefit. 

At CHI LakeWood Health, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. That’s why we use the CDC STEADI Fall Risk Assessment tool as part of our comprehensive approach to fall prevention. 

This simple questionnaire helps us identify patients who may be at risk for falls so we can take specific precautions and implement appropriate interventions.

You may have already seen this tool or been asked to fill it out at a previous visit with us. As Natasha Kasprowicz, our Surgery Coordinator, emphasizes, “The CDC STEADI has been instrumental in enhancing the safety of our same-day surgery program. By incorporating the assessment into our pre-op phone calls, we can streamline your care and ensure we have the right safety measures in place before you even arrive.” 

While surgery is one area where the assessment is utilized, you’ll encounter it throughout your journey at CHI LakeWood Health. This comprehensive approach ensures we proactively address fall risks in various settings, promoting safety and well-being for all our patients. We do this because falls are more common than people realize. More than one in four older adults reported falling in 2015 alone, according to the CDC. 

There are simple steps you can take anytime to help decrease your or your loved ones’ fall risk. 

1. Focus on strength and balance. Activities like Tai chi can improve balance and make your legs stronger.
2. Use proper footwear. They should fit properly and have good traction.
3. Have your medications reviewed with your doctor or pharmacist, including supplements and over-the-counter medications. 
4. Get an annual eye exam.
5. Make your home safer, remove clutter and use non-slip mats and handrails.
6. Talk to your health care provider, especially if you feel unsteady or have had a recent fall.

Life is all about balance, and so is fall prevention. Whether here or at home, CHI LakeWood Health wants everyone to be safe and well.

From pain of all sorts, hip/knee surgery, post-concussion care to balance issues and Parkinson’s disease, there’s a physical therapist who can help you at CHI LakeWood Health. Now, with direct access, a physician referral is not required. 

That means you can call directly to access physical therapy services for a variety of health issues and concerns. Our team will check with your insurance to see if it requires a physician referral. For most, that means easier access to the comprehensive care provided by a physical therapist.

Our physical therapy team can help you achieve your highest functioning following illness, injury, surgery or other factors affecting your daily living. Physical therapy uses exercises, therapeutic treatments and patient education to help decrease pain and/or improve your condition, and in many cases without surgery or the side effects of medication. 

Why wait? If you have pain or a health issue that would benefit from physical therapy, call us today at 218.634.3429. We’ll help you get on the right path.