Prioritizing you: Ridgeview expanding services, providers, locations and workforce development
At a time when many health care systems are reducing services and closing sites, Ridgeview continues to expand its network of providers, services and locations. “Our growth isn’t about numbers, it’s about our community — the friends, families and neighbors for whom we provide care. From bringing more providers to our rural hospitals and clinics to expanding our specialty services to offering new urgent and virtual care options and implementing new technology and initiatives, we continue to invest in the long-term health of the communities we serve,” said Mike Phelps, president and CEO, Ridgeview.
In 2020, Ridgeview had a medical staff of 700 providers. Fast-forward five years, and that number has grown significantly to 1,059 credentialed providers. This includes 154 new providers added in 2025 alone — working at Ridgeview’s hospital campuses and clinics and providing virtual and critical telehealth services.
“Expanding our medical staff allows us to provide community members with more access to health care services closer to where they live and work,” Phelps added. “At our Arlington and Le Sueur campuses, we’ve recently added several specialty providers to complement our primary care and inpatient services — including wound care, podiatry, gastroenterology, teleheart, cataract surgery and more — as well as new technology and equipment to continue to enhance the services and care available in our smallest communities.”
Expanded Primary care in Chaska opening in February
In February, Ridgeview will open an expanded primary care clinic at its Chaska Campus — adding four providers to its team and moving the primary care clinic from Suite 115N at Two Twelve Medical Center to the second floor, into Suite 220. Allina Health is closing its clinic at that location at the end of January 2026; however, four of its providers will transition to the Ridgeview Clinics team and will continue seeing their patients in the same Suite 220 space as part of Ridgeview’s expanded primary care clinic in Chaska. The four providers joining Ridgeview are Kerrie Allen, MD, Tiffany Habben, DO, Jennifer Lewis, MD, and Samantha Bendzick, PA-C.
“We have been adding to our primary care services in Chaska — most recently welcoming Rida Shaikh, DO, to join providers Stephen Ready, MD, and Whitney Sarnstrom, CNP, and we look forward to welcoming the Allina Chaska providers and their patients to the growing Ridgeview family,” Phelps said.
The following Ridgeview specialty care practices and providers in Chaska will remain in the first floor Ridgeview Clinics’ Suite 115N location: Audiology, Bariatric & Weight Loss, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, Otolaryngology (ENT), Podiatry and Rheumatology. Ridgeview also offers additional services and programs at Two Twelve Medical Center, located throughout the building.
To schedule an appointment with Ridgeview’s primary care providers in Chaska, call 952.856.4001.
Investing in our people
The national shortage of nurses and clinical staff is growing, and the cost of turnover is steep. To continue to deliver the highest level of care and service to every patient — at the right time, in the right place when they need it — Ridgeview is also making significant investments in its workforce through recruitment, retention and professional development initiatives. “These initiatives will ensure Ridgeview continues to attract, train and retain the best people — including supporting nurses with world-class education and residency programs, developing leaders at all levels and building a sustainable workforce pipeline by growing our own talent,” Phelps added.
This includes expanding clinical education and simulation training, increasing access to tuition support, and partnership with education and training organizations to provide short-term certifications for medical assistants, surgical techs, nursing assistants and more.
“While managing the changes and challenges of the health care industry, the investments we are making in our people, technology and care delivery systems will further strengthen Ridgeview’s ability to continue expanding services, increase access and deliver the high-quality care our communities deserve — today and for generations to come."
