by Vicki Ikeogu
news@thenewsleaders.com
Since moving to its current location about seven years ago, staff members at St. Cloud Orthopedics have taken a vested interest in promoting the well-being of Sartell.
It’s a mission, St. Cloud Orthopedics Administrator William Worzala said the health-care provider is committed to upholding.
“We really wanted to become part of the community,” Worzala said. “So, we’ve done a lot to try and become more engrained within the city of Sartell.”
In addition to treating about 500 patients daily through physical therapy and clinic appointments, the team of about 160 physicians, therapists, support staff and administrators have made it a goal to represent the care facility for central Minnesota.
“Most of our patients we serve are friends and family (who) live in Sartell,” Worzala said. “A good deal of our employees call Sartell home. We hope we can help build and strengthen that community.”
Because of St. Cloud Orthopedics’ long commitment to the city and its residents, the Sartell Chamber of Commerce, Sartell Hospitality and Visitors Service and city staff have recognized the business by naming St. Cloud Orthopedics Sartell’s Large Business of the Year.
“We were very excited to win,” Worzala said. “It was unexpected. Because all of the organizations nominated in this category are all very good Sartell-based organizations.”
Also in the running for Sartell Large Business of the Year were Bernick’s, Coborn’s Inc., Granite Logistics and Williams Integracare.
St. Cloud Orthopedics was recognized for its work that physicians and medical personnel have done in providing trainers for Sartell High School athletes.
“We do a lot with the schools,” Worzala said. “We do a scholarship for Sartell seniors every year. And we just recently got the naming rights for Champion Field. We also helped develop the Kids’ Zone at the community center.”
In addition, the Sartell Chamber noted the work the business has done in developing the Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk and 1K Fun Run.
The Jingle Bell 5K, which just celebrated its 20th year last month, provides roughly 50 percent of all the toys collected for Toys for Tots in Central Minnesota.
“We are very proud of that event,” Worzala said. “One hundred percent of the proceeds goes back to buying toys for kids. We typically can purchase about 600 to 700 toys a year. So far this year we have already collected about 600 toys.”
St. Cloud Orthopedics’ employees have also been seen volunteering with local organizations, including SHVS, the Sartell Planning Commission, the Sartell Youth Recreational Center and Sartell Youth Sports.
While Worzala said St. Cloud Orthopedics never set out to win any sort of recognition, being named Sartell Large Business of the Year is an honor the staff is grateful to receive.
“(Winning this award) is definitely one of those things that makes you feel good,” Worzala said.
St. Cloud Orthopedics was founded in 1955. The main facility at 1901 Connecticut Ave. S., has physicians who specialize in a wide variety of care, including spinal care, sports medicine, joints and podiatry. Physicians employed by St. Cloud Orthopedics also provide outreach care to clinics in Mora, Onamia, Brainerd, Little Falls, Wadena, Sauk Centre and Paynesville.
Dr. Timothy Hiesterman works with a patient at the St. Cloud Orthopedics facility in Sartell. St. Cloud Orthopedics was recently recognized as Sartell’s Large Business of the Year.
Physical therapist Ross Blomme works with a patient at the St. Cloud Orthopedics facility in Sartell. St. Cloud Orthopedics recently was named Sartell Large Business of the Year by the Sartell Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Steven Mulawka walks with a patient down the hallway of St. Cloud Orthopedics in Sartell. St. Cloud Orthopedics recently was named Sartell Large Business of the Year by the Sartell Chamber of Commerce.
