A Rich Medical History

From 1884 to the mid-1970s, Dr. George Christie then his son, Dr. Robert Christie, practiced medicine in Long Prairie. In 1901, they began practicing from their house, which is now Christie House Museum. There were two small hospitals in Long Prairie in the early 1900s, followed by a larger facility located in the town’s commercial district in the 1930s. Many CentraCare – Long Prairie employees and supporters are decedents of physicians who had long-time practices in the community.

In the 1950s, city residents conducted a $500,000 fund-raising drive to build a new, efficient 34-bed hospital. In the 1960s and 1970s, a nursing home with 123 beds and a new clinic were added. At the time, Long Prairie was the first location in Minnesota to offer nurse-midwifery services.

Health Central, a predecessor organization of Allina Heath System, assumed management of the Long Prairie Memorial Hospital and Home in 1978. In 1999, CentraCare Health System purchased the hospital, nursing home and clinic practice from Allina Health System.

In 2016, a $2.5 million goal was met by local residents, businesses and CentraCare employees to build a new medical campus. In 2017, the new hospital and clinic opened. During the capital campaign for the new medical campus, an additional need was identified for community wellness. To date, $4 million has been committed to the #WellnessWins campaign from over 320 generous community members, businesses, civic organizations, foundation and grants. Vitality Wellness opened its doors in May 2019. The facilities’ pool, studio and gym are open to community members seeking community health and wellness opportunities.

Today we are CentraCare – Long Prairie, a not-for-profit health and wellness organization that provides comprehensive, high-quality services to people throughout Central Minnesota.