Miller-Dwan Foundation Resource Center

The Force for Good: Championing Children’s Mental Health

Tracy Litman, a public school social worker, shares her journey and passion for helping others, particularly adolescents. She emphasizes the importance of not holding oneself hostage to the past and instead focusing on what one can do from here forward. Tracy has been recognized with numerous awards for

The Force for Good:
The Power of Simultaneity: Creating New Possibilities

Gary Hubbell, a consultant, discusses his work with non-profit organizations and the importance of simplifying complexity, unifying teams, and embracing transformative change. He highlights the concept of simultaneity, which is one of the principles of appreciative inquiry, and how it brings about new

The Force for Good:
40 Years of Behavioral Health – A Journey of Compassion and Impact

The tables have turned and now the usual host of The Force for Good podcast, Rick Gertsema, is in the hot seat! Join Traci Marciniak, Miller-Dwan Foundation President,  as she talks with Rick, Senior Mental Health Advisor at

The Force for Good: A Journey of Mental Health Advocacy with Zak Williams

Zak Williams, mental health advocate and founder of PYM (Prepare Your Mind), shares his personal journey and the importance of mental health awareness and support. He discusses his own struggles with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive thoughts, as well as the impact of his

The Force for Good: Episode 2 explores the work of the Miller-Dwan Foundation in the field of mental health, specifically the collaboration with Dr. Brandon Kohrt and Dr. Adam Brown on the implementation of Problem Management Plus (PM+) in New York City. The conversation covers the background of the project, the scalability of mental health interventions,

https://youtu.be/p0xO0CJdAOY?si=jy3LJm3iqKlDZFIu In Episode 1, Rick brings in Traci Marciniak, President of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, to explore the history of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, the strategic planning process, the HopeX initiative, the role of the Senior Mental Health Advisor, the multi-phase approach, and the future vision for the foundation. Stay connected to Miller-Dwan Foundation
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Here we go – my first time writing a blog and it’s about something incredibly cool and transformational!! First a little background: At age 61, I changed jobs from Essentia Health, where I had worked for 25 years, to The Miller-Dwan Foundation, where I have now been for nearly a year! I am a Child/Adolescent Licensed Psychologist by training and

Here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation we LOVE Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training. The reason is simple. It works! Shortly after Miller-Dwan Foundation’s Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being opened in 2012, the facility’s clinical supervisor, Psychologist Rick Gertsema had an idea –– create a culture of mental health wellness through DBT skills immersion. So, what is DBT?

Marsha stopped smoking using DBT skills. Kerry uses them to help her remain true to herself. And lately, I’ve been using DBT to relieve stress and lighten my mood. I can’t get enough of them. When you practice your DBT skills, they really do work. I’m talking about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. It’s a mouthful for sure, but you

Here we are! 2022 is coming to a close and as we reflect on the past year, we are grateful, and in awe, of all that has happened. It has been a rollercoaster year as we continue to navigate the pandemic, but we are thankful that you’ve been by our side. Take a look back at some highlights from 2022.

Check out this all-new website www.LiveWellNorthernWI.org Whether you’d like to create an activity or join one, the LiveWell Northern WI’s #BetterTogether activity calendar is your chance. #BetterTogether activities are mini activities that allow people to spend time together in a way that inspires joy and wellness and builds connection. The goal is to have an activity scheduled most days of

In celebration of National Hospice Month, and for the fifteenth consecutive year, Super One Foods and the Miller-Dwan Foundation are partnering to raise funds for Solvay Hospice House. From November 6-26, 2022, twenty regional Super One stores will be selling paper house ornaments for customers to purchase and bring home with their groceries or add to a display in the

Can Mental Health Care be as Easy as Buying a Pair of Pants? What if you could go to your favorite store and click on the mental health care package of your choice. Let’s say you’ve been feeling depressed for the last two months. Thinking about all the ways you’ve screwed up your life. Let’s say, your favorite mental health

Here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation, we’re always holding our breath. Holding our breath for the day when those people with spinal cord injuries can walk again, when those who’ve lost a limb can regain feeling and mobility. Then today, I saw this headline: “For the first time in the world, researchers from Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology at Tel Aviv

We are so pleased to announce that we recently welcomed Carl Crawford, Dr. Brad Davis and Missy Meierhoff to our existing Board of Directors. Carl Crawford was selected by Mayor Emily Larson as Duluth’s Human Rights Officer in July 2016 after serving as Lake Superior College’s Intercultural Center Coordinator since 2007. As the Human Rights Officer, Crawford is charged with

Esther died alone, in a motel room. It was a cold, murky morning. The hotel was small and cheap and located just off the freeway. It was only a few miles from home. Esther had a home, you see. The same home she grew up in with both of her parents and her brothers and sisters and always, the family

Here we are! 2021 is coming to a close and as we reflect on the past year, we are grateful, and in awe, of all that has happened. It’s been a wild ride and we are thankful that you’ve been by our side. Take a look back at some highlights from 2021. February Webinar Series The Miller-Dwan Foundation started a

Cannabis has been legalized in 18 states. Another 13 have decriminalized it. In Minnesota, it is illegal for recreational use, but decriminalized for possession of 42.5 grams or less. We’ll talk more about what that amount may mean. In Wisconsin, cannabis is also illegal for recreational use, but there’s a strong push to legalize it. “prohibition has not worked when

08-04-2021 at 10:25 am… My dad lived on a farm for most of life. He came to Solvay Hospice House and the night before he died, a doe and her fawn were standing outside his sliding glass door in his room, looking in. Also, a skunk was noted outside at the same time, eating grass. My dad said, “Close the door!” You

Thanks to Bell Bank and Bent Paddle for coming together to raise awareness and financial support for Amberwing! Bell Bank has a Pay It Forward program, where they choose a nonprofit in the region to benefit from their philanthropic culture. Bent Paddle Brewery has a Paddle It Forward program where the proceeds from a specific beer will benefit a nonprofit.

ARTcetera is no joke! Proceeds from the Miller-Dwan Foundation’s annual gala has created lifechanging health impacts for thousands of people from throughout our region­­. Through gala support we’ve created the Caring Ways Cancer Center, the Abilities First Fund, Solvay Hospice House and Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being. We’ve supported the Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit renovation, the Polinsky

If you couldn’t speak for yourself, who would speak for you?  What have you discussed with your loved ones about the kind of care you would want, or maybe wouldn’t want in some situations? Watch this thought-provoking conversation about Advance Care Planning to learn vocabulary, reflect on what matters most to you, consider what some possible healthcare decisions may be, choose a healthcare agent, and

A patient nears death, and deer appear. A favorite bird alights atop the patio rail. At Solvay Hospice House, nature’s extraordinariness seems somehow ordinary. Nevertheless, when I talked with Kevin Rodlund, Solvay Hospice House Nurse Manager, about these stories, I was a little skeptical. Solvay Hospice House is beautifully situated on nine wooded acres in Duluth Heights. Overfed Eastern grey

Just breathe and trust. This great piece of advice comes from Nena Johnson, Speech Language Pathologist at Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center, and can be helpful in just about every aspect of life. Nena has recently experienced the unimaginable loss of her son Reese, and her team at Polinsky wanted to do something to honor Reese and Nena. They reached out

Coping Skills That Can Change Your Brain
With Chelsey Harju, Psychotherapist at Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being

Having grown up in the Northland, I’ve always valued time spent in nature and found it important for one’s well-being. Working in the mental health field, I was also aware of Amberwing’s – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being work. In Fall of 2020, I began my final Master of Social Work (MSW) clinical internship at Amberwing. During my first

Watch a video about Wayne’s recovery. When COVID-19 hit Wayne Plekkenpol, the fever knocked him down. Then a ventilator and sedation knocked him out. Three weeks later, he woke up needing oxygen and assistance to sit up, stand and walk ahead ten paces. “I don’t remember it,” the 68-year-old says about his initial hospital stay in an intensive care unit.

Watch a video about the Chederquist family. Kevin Chederquist remembers when he and his wife, Kristin, embraced life’s uncertainty and took a bold step: selling everything they owned and moving to China. The couple felt called in their faith to make a brave change by returning to the country where they had adopted their son, Jack. But while Kristin had


Watch the video to see Abby’s transformation! How do people manage the emotional turmoil caused by a traumatic life event? The kind of pain that surfaces at unexpected moments, splashing into life and relationships without warning. For the Fermenich family, their saying is: “Take a deep breath and just keep swimming.” Tune into humor and hold onto faith. Use the

They save our lives, birth our children, and sit with us when we die. They ease our pain, hear our concerns, and celebrate our healing. Doctors. They build their lives around helping us, and now, especially now, they deserve all we have to offer. I grew up with a small-town doc, and I can still see his face. He helped

The Silver Brook Township Cemetery is a sight to behold. To the East, a white pine grove greets the morning sun. To the north, horses roam the same field that in year’s past, a llama or two called home.  Over the many years I’ve lived here, I’ve eyeballed this tiny final resting space. Is it where I want to be?

Here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation, we are anti-pain. We don’t like it and are totally against it. That, however, doesn’t mean we don’t need it. Pain is critical to us understanding when something is wrong – physically, mentally and spiritually. But chronic pain – that pain that just won’t go away – is associated with all manner of mental health

Well, we’ve almost made it. The end of 2020 is almost here and we can then literally say, “Hindsight is 2020.” All jokes aside, 2020 was a wild year. Unexpected, unprecedented, unbelievable. While we hope that 2021 will bring a bit more love and light to the picture, we have to admit that there were some aspects of this year

Remember Underdog, the blue-caped humble and lovable superhero cartoon dog of the 1960’s? If you missed that era, here’s a brief rundown: By day, Underdog lived the life of the bespectacled Shoeshine Boy complete with a big black nose and long floppy ears. But when villains threatened, Shoeshine Boy ducked into a telephone booth where he transformed into the caped

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I ‘m usually gearing up for time with family, getting ready to take my culinary skills up a notch and excited for the official start of the holiday season. Because of COVID-19, things will obviously look different this year. There is a part of me that expects zombie turkeys to be a thing, but

I like to think every day is National Philanthropy Day… and I’d hazard a guess that Douglas Freeman feels the same. Honestly, I don’t know if many people outside of the non-profit and fundraising world know the story of Douglas Freeman. Douglas Freeman is the reason there is a National Philanthropy Day…a day designed to recognize and thank people and

Do you know exactly when you will die? If the answer is, “no,” then you should have a will. Whether you’re 27 or 82, a will can save your loved one’s additional distress after you’re gone. And if you’re a parent of children, having a will is doubly important. Yes, we’re talking about a will to detail how your property

Pat Burns remembers the nervous excitement of launching ARTcetera with her team at the Miller-Dwan Foundation. It was 1999 and the Foundation, with its history of high impact medical philanthropy, needed a boost for its efforts to support life-saving treatments and therapies in the region. “What if no one comes?” says Pat, who served as president of the Foundation from

Solvay Hospice House has a special place in the heart of Shane Johnson. His company, Johnson Wilson Constructors, constructed the Duluth healthcare facility in 2007 following a Miller-Dwan Foundation campaign to create the region’s first residential hospice house. That’s when the Foundation, which owns and maintains Solvay, got on Shane’s radar as a charity worth paying closer attention to. “Working

When it comes to helping people deal with a life-threatening mental health crisis, there’s one place in northern Minnesota that treats more patients, more intensively, than anywhere else. The 38-bed Adult Behavioral Health Unit in Essentia Health’s Miller-Dwan Building sees patients diagnosed with mental illness from throughout Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The unit is always

The Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center. It’s been around for 100 years, and it exists today only because of a small number of passionate people who were committed to offering rehabilitation care in Duluth. Let’s take a look. The 1910’s… The story of rehabilitation in Duluth begins with Kate Barnes being severely burned during the fires of 1918. For Kate to

Author Francis H. Cook, in his book The Jewel Net of Indra, describes a vast net that reaches infinitely in all directions. In that net are an infinite number of glittering jewels. Each individual jewel reflects all of the other jewels, and the reflected jewels also reflect all of the other jewels. As a reflection of generosity and serenity passed

Zeek is a six-year-old with endless energy and a smile that makes the world better. He has Cerebral Palsy and has been a patient at Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center since before he was one-year-old. He is motivated and when he says “Yes, I can do this,”, and “I want to do this,” he makes it happen. Due to the COVID-19

The need for high quality mental health care hasn’t gone away during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts are on the rise. For people of all ages, the signs and symptoms of a treatable mental illness have been heightened by the stresses of social distancing and economic insecurity.   Thankfully, children and young adults from across northern

We recently received the following letter and wanted to share it with you. I think it’s an inspiration and a testament to the kind of care we have right here in our own backyards. “On Christmas Eve, while vacationing in Lutsen for the holidays, our Uncle John suffered a massive stroke, rendering him unable to speak or clearly understand verbal

Meet Nate. Nate is a 17-year-old student from International Falls. Like so many teens, he was recently going through a hard time and needed some help. And that help came from Amberwing. Amberwing, located in Duluth, MN, offers intensive mental health care called Partial Hospitalization Programming (PHP).  PHP helps children, youth and adolescents who are facing serious emotional or mental

Betty, the New Caledonian tool-making crow. Chaser the Border Collie who understands 1000 words. And remember Flipper, television’s celebrity dolphin? Whether furry, feathered or fishy, animals have amazed our minds and soothed our souls for hundreds of centuries. They can play with us, work for us, and lend an ear when we need it most. Some are specially trained and

Have you ever burned a knuckle pulling a pizza from the oven? Scalded yourself with boiling water? Multiply that 10 times, 100 times. That’s the feeling of having lost not just your skin, but the tissue beneath it. That’s the feeling of a serious third degree burn. Thankfully, most of us will never know such a burn. But if you

So you broke your leg. In three places, no less. Playing soccer. And the season has only just begun. We know what you’re thinking. This is the end. My last season ever. I’ll never play again. Well, think again. The Miller-Dwan Foundation doesn’t support surgical services just so you can give up on your favorite sport. We don’t pay thousands

For now, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the Miller-Dwan Foundation’s Caring Ways Cancer Center is closed. This temporary closure, however, doesn’t limit our desire for information. In fact, during some of our most traumatic and life-altering moments, we crave information. We seek out answers, and we want to know the facts. Below, you’ll find a list of books vetted by Caring

The Miller-Dwan Foundation hosts a variety of events throughout the year, the largest being our annual gala, ARTcetera. ARTcetera is our region’s longest standing gala of its kind and it brings together, on average, 250 like-minded community members, ready to raise funds for essential healthcare services in our community. Just last year, we went off our usual course and held

The Miller-Dwan Foundation purchased its first set of virtual reality (VR) goggles more than three years ago. Then, we thought of it as an amazing and exciting new-fangled request. Today, they’ve become, quite simply, part of our standard of excellence in patient care –– the same care that is provided by some of the biggest and very best hospitals in

Just down the hall from us, here in the Miller-Dwan Building, some of our region’s most acutely ill patients are recovering. They’re re-learning daily living or speech skills after a stroke, they’re regaining physical strength after a car accident or accident at work, and they’re learning new ways of moving or performing tasks. They may have lost a limb, lost

We know kids today spend a lot more of their time interacting through social media than in the past. Research tells us that all this screen time can not only skew their reality but also prompt symptoms of anxiety and depression. Dr. Elena Metcalf, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Amberwing, is seeing the effects first-hand. “I’m seeing kids as young

Today is Doctors’ Day. A day to celebrate everything our doctors do for us, our community and our region. Now more than ever, we appreciate their time, their flexibility and their sacrifice. No matter the circumstance, they are our front line people. The people we count on. The people we believe in and the people we trust. They see things

As a kid, when I thought about the year 2020, I imagined life like the Jetson’s – flying cars, robots and all kinds of things I couldn’t even imagine yet. As I thought about 2020 as an adult, it was clean slate – it was refreshing to begin a new decade with a positive mindset of the good things I

To all our friends and supporters: On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, we hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. As a health-focused foundation, we are keenly aware of the impact COVID-19 is having on individuals, communities, and the world around us, as well as the

Polinsky Rehabilitation Center The more work you put in, the more you get out. It’s the theory behind what takes place every day in the Polinsky Rehabilitation Center and at Miller-Dwan Rehabilitation, where people routinely put herculean efforts into recovering from a stroke, brain illness or spinal cord injury—often over the course of months or years. It’s also the basis

Today is National Love Your Pet Day, which we celebrate every day here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation. Animals play a huge role in our daily lives both in the office and at home, and we love to show off our pets whenever we can. So, we thought we’d take this time to introduce you to our cuddly pals. Valentino, Zelda

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a fancy name for the high-test mental health therapy provided to students who attend the Miller-Dwan Foundation’s Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being. A critical component of DBT is the skills associated with this mode of therapy.  I recently spoke with a 13-year-old whose school has benefited from learning these skills. I’ll

When does ten-pounds feel like 50? The answer? When you’re restricting blood flow while working your muscles.  Blood flow restriction might seem like an odd concept. Right? Why would someone want to restrict blood flow? Wouldn’t that be harmful? Wouldn’t hurt? But if you’ve been injured or had surgery, a blood flow restriction device (BFR) –– think pneumatic tourniquet ––

2019 was an extraordinary year! Each year brings new projects, new challenges and new people to our lives, while each day brings new stories of hope, strength and love. We wanted to recap some of the things that topped this year that will make a difference in the health of people throughout our region in 2020 and beyond: Lou Ann!

What happens when cancer strikes? What happens when everything you’ve ever counted on changes on a dime? For Miller-Dwan Foundation’s Caring Ways Cancer Resource Center Manager, Chris Mitchell, the answer easy. You help one another. You pull people together, and especially around the holidays, you give. This year with Mitchell’s help, a multi-department employee team didn’t hold back. Together they

If you’re a fan of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, you know we’re fans of dogs. There’s Lou Ann, our foundation ambassador and therapy-dog-in-training. There’s our Animal Assisted Therapy Fund, the fund you can donate to help assure the provision of canine therapy throughout the hospital. And then there’s our never-ending desire to talk with you about your dog. (Send us pictures!)

Chances are you know the story about Amberwing. How it got its name from a dragonfly that shares our air space, right here in the Northland. You may also know that the Amberwing dragonfly, like all dragonflies, has two sets of wings. If one of them breaks, it can usually still fly. That ability to carry on no matter the

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. A reawakening of the moment. Wait. Huh? What? What exactly does that mean? We talk a lot about mindfulness here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation. Mindfulness is the basis for much of the mental health care funded by the foundation. It’s the core of care at Amberwing, and it’s used on

So, what does it entail to become a therapy dog? We are animal lovers here at the Miller-Dwan Foundation and we understand the importance of having our furry friends as our partners in healthcare. In March, we adopted an Australian Cattle Dog names Lou Ann, in hopes of her being our therapy-dog-in-training and ambassador for the Animal-Assisted Therapy program. She

From artificial intelligence, insurance on demand and virtual reality, healthcare is changing. I recently attended a day-long Future of Health conference that suggests, as we already know, that things are changing at break neck pace. These changes, however, might not be as scary as we fear. Let’s talk artificial intelligence. I recently heard that DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense’s

Today is National Philanthropy Day, a day to celebrate the extraordinary impact that philanthropy has had in our world. It is a day that celebrates the charitable work that makes a difference and creates change in communities. Right here in our own community, you are changing lives. Some examples of how your gifts will impact our region: *** The $21.84

Poor Reimbursement
Many U.S. citizens face significant mental health barriers based on where they live. If you’re a Minnesotan, for example, the government will pay more for your mental health care than it would if you live in Wisconsin. This has been a real problem for Wisconsin where low reimbursement rates lead to the closure of a number of organizations providing

In celebration of National Hospice Month, and for the twelfth consecutive year, Super One Foods and the Miller-Dwan Foundation are partnering to raise funds for Solvay Hospice House. From November 3-23, 2019, sixteen regional Super One stores will be selling $1 paper house ornaments for customers to purchase and bring home with their groceries or add to a display in

I go through the same routine every year. Order a dress, send it back. Order another one and send it back. It’s my annual ARTcetera calamity, and it’s because ARTcetera, our region’s largest fundraiser, is for me, such a big deal.   I didn’t grow up wearing dresses and attending parties. I grew up fishing and swimming and playing kick-the-can

When was the last time you lost your voice? Were you ever worried it might not come back? It happens sometimes for a variety of reasons –– trauma, stroke, tumor. People who use their voices for a living or who shout or scream frequently are at particular risk. An SLP may be able to help. An SLP is a Speech

Meet Robin Madsen, Nurse of the Year. Robin is an RN at Solvay Hospice House and we had the opportunity to sit down with her to ask her about her journey to this prestigious award. What does winning the Nurse of the Year award mean to you? It honestly means, we have a God who sees us.  At a time

What’s your favorite music? We used to believe that it was classical music that made us smarter. Today, thanks to more than 25 years of research, we know that whether it’s rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, hip-hop or classical, your gray matter prefers the same music you do. And it doesn’t just impact your smarts. Music can affect our brains and our

Have you taken a shower? Eaten breakfast? Pooped yet? For most of us these are routine everyday tasks. For many served by the Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center, every move, every step, requires gargantuan effort. Dolly was right-handed. When she had a stroke, she lost the use of her hand and used a walker to stabilize herself. She couldn’t type. She

Meet Lou Ann, Chief Happiness Specialist. She is the newest Miller-Dwan Foundation staff member and therapy-dog-in-training, and she is bringing joy and smiles to the Essentia Health – Duluth campus. Lou Ann came into our lives on March 2, 2019. Here’s what we know about her and where she came from: We saw her adorable face on Petfinder.com and just

Eye movement is a key to assessing dizziness and balance. Now, with funding from the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Essentia Health physical rehabilitation departments throughout our region are using the specialized technology to look more closely at patients’ eyes. That technology is called Micromedical VisualEyes 505 or vestibular goggles. The goggles, which look like a combination snorkel mask and nighttime goggles, completely

If you live in Bayfield, Ashland, Douglas, Burnett, Sawyer, Washburn, Polk, Barron or Rusk County in northwestern Wisconsin AND you have a serious mental illness, you have a less than 40 percent chance of getting help. If you have a substance abuse problem, the chances are even less. While stunning, these stats are not all that different from many other

Iron River, Michigan is known for its vast forest land, scenic lakes and winter sports. It is not, however, known for its mammograms. Until now. Three-dimensional mammograms have been approved for use since 2011, but in 2018, despite studies that have found that 3-D mammograms find more cancers than traditional 2-D mammograms, the clinic in Iron River had yet to

This is officially the winter that will never end. Shoveling and more shoveling, a sideways slide down the hilly avenue, and yet again, another day of boots, hats, mittens and scarves. It can get a little old. But the Miller-Dwan Foundation staff have a few strategies that might help. Try something new. I attended my first Thai Yoga session the

Sometimes people die at Solvay. Sometimes they go home. That’s because, in addition to providing the very best in humane and compassionate care for people at the end of life, Solvay also provides respite care for those enrolled in a hospice program. Respite is just a fancy word for taking a break. Respite care provides short-term break for caregivers and

Most of us are familiar with telehealth or telemedicine––the provision of healthcare through technology. Someone living in far rural Minnesota, could, for example, access a psychiatrist from Duluth via telemedicine. Someone who’s heart needs to be monitored may do so electronically through the phone without visiting the doctor’s office.  Telepresence, on the other hand, offers a difference experience, and it’s

I think about Solvay Hospice House and hospice services every day. But that’s probably only because I work at the Miller-Dwan Foundation. The Miller-Dwan Foundation owns the 12-bed Solvay Hospice House and works every day to assure that it and its care program will continue well into the future. Sustaining Solvay, however, is not the focus of my hospice thinking.

You know that feeling you have after having been sick? Maybe you’ve been in bed for days or you’ve been trundling around in last week’s pajamas. You have no energy, and the last thing you feel like doing is dragging yourself to the shower. But when you finally do, you feel better. At Solvay Hospice House, it’s the same. Because

Something amazing has happened at the Miller-Dwan Medical Center. Thanks to a new piece of physical therapy equipment funded by an anonymous donor and the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Lisa has walked for the first time in two months. The equipment, call the ZeroG Gait and Balance System is a robotic body-weight support system on an overhead track that allows patients to

Nova, our beloved 120-pound friend, has just turned two years old! “She is very excited to not be a tween any longer,” says her trainer, Jack. Nova has a heart of gold, is willing to share her skills and talents with anyone she meets. Her presence is calming, and you can’t help but fall in love with her the moment

At Amberwing-Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, children and families experience the best possible short-term intensive mental health and substance use treatment available, learning lifelong skills that help them heal. Here, patients share their advice and inspiration for others entering the program.

Perhaps most well-known for their work with patients who are recovering after a stroke, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide a wide range of services to help people with everything from swallowing and singing, to breathing and speaking. And, thanks to support from the Miller-Dwan Foundation, which is made possible by donors like you, SLPs at Polinsky Medical Center Rehabilitation are doing

The foundation for sound mental health is built early in life. From birth to age 3, our experiences with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and peers shape our developing brains. When this developmental process is disrupted, our capacity for learning and relating to others can be impaired, with lifelong consequences. This is why early detection and intervention for mental health issues

When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, it’s not merely the patient who is affected, but the lives of an entire family. For this reason, the Caring Way Cancer Resource Center began hosting “We Can Weekend” 28 years ago for families living with cancer. The weekend retreat, held at YMCA Camp Miller in Sturgeon Lake, MN, is made possible with the

Patients suffering from anxiety, insomnia and depression are now being treated with new, cutting-edge technology at the Miller-Dwan Behavioral Health department. Rather than receiving medicine in pill form, they are being prescribed 20-minute sessions of electromedical technology. The Miller-Dwan Foundation recently funded the purchase of Alpha-Stim devices that generate unique, patented waveforms clinically proven to relieve anxiety, insomnia and depression

Tami Vukonich, RN, wouldn’t change anything about her job as a nurse at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN. What she would change, however, is the general misconception people have about end-of-life care. “There is a stigma surrounding hospice care,” Vukonich says. “People think it’s about dying, when really it’s about living the best life possible during your final days.”

Following the death of friend to liver failure, artist Candy Chang went through a long period of grief and depression. During that time, she grappled with questions about dying, how she wanted to live her life and maintaining perspective amid daily routine. Curious to know if others felt the same, Chang created a public art exhibit in 2011 and began

With help from her nurses, a patient signs her daughter’s birthday card, knowing this is the last time she will do so. A wife embraces her husband, sharing a final dance before she is helped back to bed. Jayme Persch, RN, has witnessed many final moments like these at Solvay Hospice House. “They are things I’ll never forget,” she says.

Football was a passion of his, as was running. And of course, there was Amberwing Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, which John Galo experienced first-hand with his son. In January, John died of a massive heart attack due to undiagnosed coronary artery disease. On July 19 – National Football Day – his family and friends will host a 5K

“Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.” ― Tia Walker, from The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love More than 43 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult or child, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Sixty percent of these caregivers are female, 34 percent have full-time jobs,

In the past two decades, the cancer death rate in the United States has dropped 25 percent, which equals 2.1 million fewer cancer deaths. Today, there are more than 15.5 million cancer survivors in the U.S. But cancer care doesn’t end when treatment ends. In its wake, cancer leaves a host of physical, emotional, and financial hardships that often persist

Dave Emerson knew Solvay Hospice House had good things to offer. Yet, it was nothing like what he expected. “Everything was warm and peaceful,” he says. “I just didn’t realize what a quality place it is.” Dave’s mom, Carol, fought cancer for more than 10 years, and at 70, spent her final days at Solvay. Carol’s family gathered in her

In 2007, the Miller-Dwan Foundation opened Solvay Hospice House. Since then 1,800 patients have been cared for in the home’s warm and comforting embrace, while families have gathered to share sacred moments at the end of loved ones’ lives. “Solvay House has been such an incredible experience for all in my family. The care for Dad has been over-the-top, and

In a patient room at the Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center, a man lies in bed, acutely aware of the pain that is radiating through his body. He’s been here for 2 weeks following a car accident in which his spine was injured. A woman in medical scrubs stands next to him, but she’s not administering IV medicine or checking vitals.

“After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”
— Albus Dumbledore, from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1998) Whatever our religious or spiritual beliefs may be, few of us talk much about death and dying. According to a 2014 study by the Institute of Medicine, less than 30 percent of Americans had discussed end-of-life care,

On the first episode of NBC’s new show, The Celebrity Apprentice, Boy George won $50,000 for the charity of his choice, Safe Kids Worldwide, whose mission is to protect kids from the No. 1 cause of death to children in the United States, unintentional injuries. The Miller-Dwan Foundation shares Boy George’s passion. MDF has granted funds to Safe Kids Northeast

For many of us, the New Year is a time to focus on creating healthy habits, such as exercising more and eating healthier. But Chelsey Harju, psychotherapist at Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, argues that those goals should also include forming positive mental health habits. Harju, who has been at Amberwing for four years, works primarily with

Many people have warm childhood memories of pets, whether growing up with a family dog or caring for farm animals. Pets can help teach children responsibility and compassion, and they provide the comfort of companionship for people of all ages. The bond between human and animal is the basis for pet therapy, which is used for treating a variety of

Science continues to demonstrate a strong link between our environment and our health, with research showing that patients surrounded by soothing visuals, sounds, smells and textures have better outcomes. “The space we are in really contributes to our health and well-being,” says Amy Wing, Occupational Therapist, Essentia Health. “The more comforting and soothing a space is, the easier it is

More than 700,000 Americans gave an estimated $264.58 billion in charitable donations last year, an increase of 3.8 percent from the previous year. End-of-year giving accounts for about 30 percent of all US donations, with 10 percent of all US donations occurring between December 29 and 31. “The year-end holidays and self-reflection inspire many people to do something to help

(Duluth, MN) December 6, 2016 – Super One Foods and its customers have joined together to give a record-setting gift to the Miller-Dawn Foundation in support of Solvay Hospice House, the region’s only end-of-life care facility. Eleven regional Super One stores offered paper ornaments available for purchase for $1 throughout the month of November. This year, the campaign raised more

Grants were awarded to the following organizations: From the Miller-Dawn Foundation Innovations Fund $25,000 to the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) to provide therapeutic services and prevention education to victims of sexual assault and trafficking. $4500 to the Essentia Health Rehabilitation Continuing Education Committee for complex foot, ankle and gait rehabilitation training to help East Region

Recently, the Miller-Dwan Foundation Board of Directors undertook a process designed to review, assess and adjust our grantmaking strategies and policies. The process, completed and approved in November 2016, is rolling out with the new year. CHANGE HIGHLIGHTS While little has changed as a result of our review, key changes are as follows: Grant Deadline Changes Grant cycles and deadline

Paula Pedersen and Joan Sargent have pieced together something quite remarkable. Something that has become incredibly valuable to the staff at Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being and in turn, to the community. That something is called Intercultural Leadership Development (ILD). Initiated two years ago at Amberwing and taught by Pedersen and Sargent, ILD is an ongoing, lifelong

When it comes to mental health, we’re definitely on track. Mentioned yesterday at the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health, we recently partnered with the Northland Foundation to help fund a new Mothers and Babies program. Designed to train 40 area professionals to address postpartum depression, the program has the potential address mental health problems before they start.

Each and every person is a unique. Everyone possesses personal worth. And every single individual, family member, and loved one is valued. That’s the philosophy of the Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit located in the Miller-Dwan Building, where our compassionate and highly-skilled clinical team addresses the physical, spiritual, social, psychological, and economic needs of each client. We care deeply about

The Miller-Dwan Foundation announced a $5,000 grant received from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The grant will be used to help renovate the Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit located in the Miller-Dwan Building. The renovation will dramatically advance the care program by creating dedicated spaces including an exercise room, a spiritual center, flexible spaces for yoga, meditation and other activities,

(Duluth, MN) January 6, 2016 –Former NHL player, Butch Williams and Duluth Grill owner, Tom Hanson, will make a check presentation Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, as well as the Peterson Legacy Fund, at Amberwing on January 11th at 5:00pm. Funds were raised at an event held in September, the Fall Harvest Pop Up Dinner that featured

Great News! The IRA Charitable Rollover was permanently signed into law. That means that you can support the Miller-Dwan Foundation with a gift from your IRA, and you won’t need to include that amount in your taxable income.   Think about making a gift from your IRA if: You are least 70 ½ years of age when the gift is

Today is the day! Give to the Max Day When you participate in Give to the Max Day by making a gift to the Miller-Dwan Foundation’s Healing Space Campaign you provide the best, most compassionate care in an environment designed for optimal healing. Our most recent campaign has pledged $1,000,000 to the renovation of the Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

Please Join Us! The Miller-Dwan Foundation is pleased to a FREE event to Duluth,  Living Well with Dementia – A Shared Experience, A Community Experience.   November 18, 2015 5:00pm- 7:30pm Holiday Inn | Great Lakes Ballroom 200 W. 1st Street Duluth, MN   KEY CONVERSATIONS   Join the Miller-Dwan Foundation and speakers Susan and John McFadden for a free

ARTcetera, the Miller-Dwan Foundation’s premier annual gala, raised a net of more than $180,000 this year to transform the Miller-Dwan Building’s Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit into a warm, welcoming leading-edge healing environment. With every penny raised at ARTcetera 2015 going towards the Healing Space Campaign, the Foundation is well on its way to achieving its $1 million goal. People

The Miller-Dwan Foundation supports the historical specialty care areas of the former Miller-Dwan Medical Center. So we take care of the burn, wound and pain care departments, radiation oncology, surgical services that happen in the Miller-Dwan Building as well as mental health and physical rehabilitation care including Polinsky. What I mean by take care of is that we make grants

Some people in our region have reported receiving letters from the “Hospice Support Fund” asking them to donate to the “2015 Silver Bay Area Appeal” by sending money to an address in Virginia.
We would like members of our local communities to know that this request is in no way affiliated with Solvay Hospice House.
To know whether or not a letter

Welcome to the new Miller-Dwan Foundation website! We’ve streamlined our site to make it easier to navigate, more user-friendly and to more clearly reflect the work we do right here in our region. One of the first things you might notice is that our donation process is simpler than ever allowing our donors to easily contribute to those healthcare areas