Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and St. Gertrude’s Health & Rehabilitation Center in Shakopee have furthered their longstanding relationship with a new memo of understanding aimed at reducing overall health care costs and improving health outcomes for SMSC members and employees.

The agreement, signed April 22 by SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig and St. Gertrude’s CEO Lee Larson, helps foster an atmosphere that uses the strengths, resources and expertise of each entity to actively improve the care and services provided by both entities.

“This agreement will provide a continuity of care, better outcomes, and improved patient satisfaction,” St. Gertrude’s CEO Lee Larson said. “We firmly believe in what you (the SMSC) are doing, and we want to support that in any way we can.”

SMSC focus on health and wellness
The SMSC provides extensive health and wellness benefits to its members and 4,200 employees through its Shakopee Dakota Clinic, Shakopee Dakota Dental Clinic, Mystic Clinic, Wellness Center, Vision Clinic, Pharmacy, Mental Health Care Program, and Mobile Unit. The SMSC partners with external resources and providers – such as St. Gertrude’s Health & Rehabilitation Center and St. Francis Regional Medical Center – to help control health care costs and help SMSC members and employees make seamless transitions in their continuum of care. This approach intends to improve patient care and satisfaction.

“We want the partnership between the SMSC and St. Gertrude’s to show how working together can maximize resources, save money, and be the right way to serve patients effectively,” said Chairman Vig.

In previous years, the SMSC has contributed $1.7 million in grants to St. Gertrude’s, helping fund construction of patient rooms, a chapel, outdoor meditation area, and hospice suites.

About St. Gertrude’s Health & Rehabilitation Center
A part of the Benedictine Health System, St. Gertrude’s features a 105-bed long term care unit and a 40-bed assisted living unit. It is located on the St. Francis Regional Medical Center campus, which provides an continuum of care including physician and specialty clinics, a premier regional hospital, cancer and dialysis centers, pharmacy, and dental and eye clinics. St. Gertrude’s provides a wide range of services, including intensive, short-term rehabilitation which treats patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, strokes, or heart attacks; as well as assisted living and traditional long-term care. Each month St. Gertrude’s successfully discharges about 100 patients back into their respective communities. For more information, visit www.bhshealth.org.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to community partnerships, charitable donations, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. The SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has also donated more than $290 million to organizations and causes since 1992, funds its own infrastructure, and contributes generously to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services.