Minnesota House Passes Higher Education Bill Allocating $10 Million for CentraCare-University of Minnesota Medical School in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – Earlier this week, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a Higher Education bill that includes money for the CentraCare-University of Minnesota Medical School.

Representative Dan Wolgamott served as Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee and fought for the $10 million to help support the project. “This medical school won’t just be a win for St. Cloud, but for central Minnesota. Building this campus is crucial for increasing access to healthcare and educating the next generation of rural physicians,” said Wolgamott.

The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 100-32.

The campus will begin operations in 2025 with a class of 24 students. It is the first expansion of the University of Minnesota Medical School system in 50 years. The St. Cloud campus joins established ones in Duluth and the Twin Cities. It will increase the number of doctors in the state by 10%.

CentraCare says it is already investing a quarter-billion dollars in its facility in northern St. Cloud over the next five years. It is also investing in nursing training and telemedicine.

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