Winona Health and Winona State University: A partnership that benefits those we serve

A strong community, like a building, needs a solid foundation, and Winona Health has been part of our community’s strong foundation for 125 years. No single organization makes a community strong alone. Winona State University is another Winona cornerstone that makes Winona Health and our community stronger. Like each of our organizations, our partnership has deep roots. Looking to our organizations’ histories, Winona Health helped launch Winona State University’s nursing program in 1964. According to WSU, the first class of 16 nurses graduated in 1968, and today they have grown to an annual graduating class of close to 300 baccalaureate level nurses and over 40 master’s and doctoral level graduates. Having expanded into other areas, Winona State University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences provides an outstanding education for students not only pursuing nursing careers, but also careers in other health-related fields including Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Therapeutic Recreation, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Social Work and more. Winona Health strengthens these programs by providing opportunities for students to use their skills through clinical rotations and training. Every semester, about 20 students are learning through clinical practice and training here at Winona Health. This benefits the students, our organization and those we serve⁠—today and into the future, as some of these students become part of our team after graduation. Here are a few examples of how Winona Health and Winona State University work together:

• Students have the opportunity to work with and learn from our Orthopedic and Sports Medicine specialists, Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapy teams as they support student athletes and coaches, preventing injuries, providing treatment and developing plans to ensure the best possible outcome if they are injured.
• Winona Health provides opportunities for pre-professional students to be involved in medical and health-related research to gain experience prior to applying to professional school. Members of the Winona Health Research Committee oversee two programs: the Arnold W. Fenske Research Internship and the Clinical Research Mentorship Program.
• Our innovative and award-winning Community Care Network provides training for students to become non-clinical volunteer members of our care teams. As volunteer health coaches, students learn and earn credit while building experience as contributing members of their community through working with a healthcare team and supporting individuals in their health goals. The one-on-one connections benefit community members and help students discover and develop their strengths and interests.
• Most recently, we introduced our innovative Students in Residence program at Senior Living at Watkins to provide a unique, intergenerational living opportunity that is mutually beneficial to students and our assisted living residents and staff. Several students have the opportunity to live at low cost in the Watkins Manor House adjacent to our senior apartments and engage in life-enriching activities with our residents.
• Winona State University professors and various departments at Winona Health collaborate of projects that at mutually beneficial to students and to our organization.
• One of our Winona Health physicians is the medical director for the student health clinic at WSU, providing medical oversight and expertise to the providers in their clinic.

Of course. Winona State University students and staff, like all of our community members, benefit from having Winona Health, which is one of the nation’s Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals, right here to provide medical care when needed. Often the college experience is a person’s first experience being away from home. As a parent of a college student, I understand the value and peace of mind having high quality healthcare services nearby provides, just in case! When organizations share a vision and a commitment to benefit all community members, our Winona’s foundation is stronger. Winona Health’s partnership with Winona State University is just that kind of partnership⁠—one that strengthens both of organizations and benefits all those we serve. As your hometown healthcare provider, we continue to partner with other community-and people-focused organizations as we evolve, innovate and create an ever-stronger community, together.

Rachelle Schultz, EdD President/CEO

Through this digital column, I hope to shine a light on what we’re working on both internally and beyond our walls in collaboration with other community-focused organizations.