New Rural Health Clinic Medical Director

Mille Lacs Health System is happy to announce Josh Kruize, PA-C has accepted the position as our new Rural Health Clinic Medical Director. Josh has been working as a Physician Assistant with Mille Lacs Health System for over three years. As the new director, Josh will continue this role prioritizing seeing patients, but also take on the responsibility of overseeing the five clinic locations in Onamia, Isle, Garrison, Hillman, & Milaca.

The primary focus of a rural healthcare clinic is to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care that considers not only the physical health but also the social, economic, and cultural aspects of the patients' well-being. The clinic often serves as a medical home for the community, fostering strong relationships with patients and developing a deep understanding of their unique healthcare needs.

The core responsibilities of a Rural Health Care Director include providing clinical leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, quality improvement, and healthcare advocacy. It requires a deep commitment to the well-being of the local community, a passion for serving underserved populations, and the ability to navigate the unique challenges of providing healthcare in a rural setting.

Josh Kruize is from central Minnesota. He attended Rocori High School in Cold Spring, which is where he discovered the healthcare field was for him. His interests in high school were more science orientated, and after some career exploration, he found the Physician Assistant profession and knew he’d found his calling.

One of the requirements of Physician Assistant school was to acquire enough “patient care hours.” Josh accomplished that goal by working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while in high school for four years. It was in this position he was able to see many of the care gaps that patients, even more so the elderly, encounter in rural Minnesota.

Kruize explains, “What I find truly rewarding in rural healthcare is the strong rapport formed with my patients. As a rural healthcare provider, I have the opportunity to develop profound connections not only with those I treat but also with the entire local community. This tight-knit environment fosters meaningful relationships, enabling me to witness firsthand the direct impact of the care I provide”.

He further goes on to say, “Working in a rural setting demands a diverse skill set, calling for healthcare providers to be versatile and resourceful. Dealing with a wide range of cases and medical issues allows me to continually develop and refine diverse clinical skills”.

In his free time, Josh enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially at the family cabin in Glen, MN. Josh’s favorite way to stay active is running.