St. Cloud VA Medical Center to Mark 100th Anniversary with Focus on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Originally published 8:42 a.m. on 8/23/24

Updated 10:15 a.m. on 8/23/24

(KNSI) – The St. Cloud VA Medical Center will celebrate its 100th anniversary on September 14th. It will enter its second century in a period of rapid growth.

After World War I, the Veterans Bureau consolidated into 12 hospitals across the country, one of which was based here in St. Cloud. Executive Director Cheryl Thieschafer says St. Cloud continues to expand its mission.

“We’ve now become a specialized health care center where we focus on meeting the needs unique to veteran patients. We’ve had a significant expansion in mental health.”

She tells KNSI News that field now represents the top concern of the hospital today. “Our number one clinical priority, which is a prevention of suicide for veterans, and it’s important for us to make sure that we wrap resources around that, because we know that the veteran population may have a higher rate of suicide than the general population.”

Highlighting this role is front and center in the plans for the anniversary. A suicide prevention walk is one of many activities slated for between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the Circle Lot.

It will be a celebration with fun too. A 100th anniversary exhibit will be set up in Building 1 and there will be an art show and concert.