<ong>New Mayo Clinic cancer treatment center likely to be built on St. Olaf land
Economic development in Northfield might be perked up by Mayo Clinic’s plans to build a $10 million cancer treatment center in Northfield that could be built on land owned by St. Olaf. If the plan goes through, it will not only bring treatment closer for local cancer patients, but also possibly attract other businesses and give some real-life medical experience for Ole students.
St. Olaf College and Mayo Clinic announced the proposal on Apr. 21. The center would focus on radiation oncology care and bring 12 new jobs to Northfield. The treatment facility will require a physician, nurse practitioner and a physicist who would operate the equipment.
According to Northfield Economic Development Director Jody Gunderson, other businesses could move to Northfield because employees would want to give their workers access to quality health care in town.
David Anderson, St. Olaf’s president, said that Mayo is considering a 3.5-acre parcel of land near Northfield Hospital that the College owns. Anderson expressed his excitement about the opportunites that the treatment center will provide for Northfield and St. Olaf. The president hopes that the facility will give new resources to St. Olaf students. He envisioned the possibilities of Oles participating in internships with the clinic and on-location experience for students in St. Olaf’s nursing program. Anderson also mentioned the center interacting with classes studying oncology.
Under the proposal, St. Olaf will lease a tract of land on the south side of North Avenue to Mayo Clinic in order for them to build a 13,000 square foot center that would be opened by the summer of 2011. However, Mayo is still considering other sites in Northfield for the treatment facility, all of which are in close proximity to Northfield Hospital. Dr. Robert Miller, Mayo Clinic spokesman, said that Olaf’s site is one of the more desirable choices.
Mayo chose Northfield as the location for their new cancer treatment center because of its previous partnership with Northfield Hospital. Northfield Hospital and Mayo Clinic officials said that the partnership between the two will likely increase so the center and hospital can coordinate and share services.
Rice County’s innovative drug removal program
Got some “product” that you want to legally unload? While Rice County’s “Take it to the Box” program will not give any compensation for drugs, it is being recognized as a safe way to dispose unneeded prescription pills, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia.
“Take it to the Box” began in September. The program uses two secure disposal boxes located in the Northfield and Faribault police departments in which anyone can anonymously leave unneeded drugs, medications and drug paraphernalia without scrutiny. What is collected is then destroyed at a disposal facility in Illinois. 1,500 pounds of items have already been collected in the boxes. Rice County adopted the program after discovering Chisago County’s similar program.
Rice County officials recently hosted an informational meeting about “Take it to the Box” for 64 representatives of agencies and organizations across the state. Among the group were police chiefs, college representatives and attorneys who wanted to start similar programs in other Minnesota cities and counties. The meeting included a tour of the drop-off boxes themselves along with information about the program.
President Anderson talks to new President Poskanzer
St. Olaf President David Anderson had his first conversation with Carleton’s new president, Steven Poskanzer, over the phone on Tuesday. Anderson really appreciated Poskanzer’s congenial demeanor and looks forward to working with him. Anderson did not reveal any details about possible discussion between them regarding pranks the two might play on one another.