New Emergency Room PA at MLHS

Mille Lacs Health System
by Mary Rains: 320-532-2608

Catherine Steiner had scoliosis as a child and needed a spinal fusion. She was in a great deal of pain before surgery but was so much better afterward. “That doctor changed my life,” Steiner says.

Now, she’s part of the MLHS team of providers, and aims to have that same kind of medical impact on her patients. Steiner is the new Emergency Department Physician’s Assistant at the hospital in Onamia. “Everyone’s life is tough and when it comes right down to it, the vast majority of people are doing the best they can,” she says. And when emergency health situations arise and make life a little tougher, she wants to be there. Trauma, orthopedics, and emergency women’s health issues are all favorites of hers. “I’m pretty good at suturing too!” she notes. “And I work hard to insure there’s the least amount of scarring.”

Steiner, who also has her Master’s Degree in Health Science, comes to the Mille Lacs area from a Level III Trauma Center in Ohio. “The size of this facility is perfect,” she says. As soon as she came for a visit, she says she “loved it and knew I wanted to work with physicians who truly respected PAs. Also, to live in a place where you know your patients and are a part of their lives outside of the hospital.” Steiner says that the providers and nurses she met here were “fantastic” and it seemed like a caring, concerned place with friendly people. A plus was the rural lifestyle, which was just what she was looking for.

“It’s a big move for the whole family, including my parents, but it’s beautiful and rural and that’s how we grew up,” she says.

As for the Emergency Room, Steiner says she works hard to be efficient because she doesn’t like ED times to be prolonged for patients. “Peoples’ health and wellness and those who treat them are common topics,” she says. Steiner wants to help make those discussions positive.