"You have improved health and wellness in New Ulm and your meticulous research has ensured that these successes can be replicated in other communities across Minnesota and the United States." 

response letter 

Amy Klobuchar

-U.S. Senator from Minnesota's response letter to New Ulm Medical Center Foundation Gala Invitation

"You have to control health care costs and increase efficiency. Programs like the Heart of New Ulm are reducing the number of strokes and heart attacks and making people healthier and more aware of how to do it."

Tim Walz

-Minnesota First District Congressman, as quoted in the Rochester Post-Bulletin

"I visited New Ulm to see what these folks are doing, how determined they are to make changes in their lifestyles. This dedication to prevention and wellness will keep individuals in New Ulm living longer, healthier lives. It will also save the health care system about $10 million over the next 10 years. When it comes to wellness, self-interest and the national interest are aligned."

Al Franken

-U.S. Senator, as quoted in the New Ulm Journal

"We tell people they have to be more active and eat healthier. But, we have to also make it easier for them. This is a great start and the idea is to keep it growing. The Heart of New Ulm Project is going to prevent heart attacks and keep people healthy. In the long run, it will save lives."

Dr. Regina Benjamin

-Former U.S. Surgeon General

"Before the Heart of New Ulm project, I had quadruple-bypass heart surgery. My family and I went through a lot of pain and worry. If this project can prevent even one family from going through that experience, this will be worth it. But I know many more families that are and will be healthier because of this project. I’m so proud to be a part of it."

Robert Beussman

-Mayor of New Ulm, as quoted in Diabetic Living magazine

"The physicians of the Minneapolis Heart Institute are very excited to be a part of this successful and important project. The entire Heart of New Ulm team has shown that a broad community prevention program fostered by the local community can have a tremendous impact on overall health. This project serves as a model for health care institutions looking to combine the efforts of physicians and public health care workers with the electronic medical record to improve the quality of life of their community."

Thomas Knickelbine

-MD, FACC, FSCAI, Minneapolis Heart Institute

"I only hope that other places in America will be able to follow suit and do what they can do to pull together like the people of New Ulm and make a difference in their health and welfare."

Bob Harper

-Health And Motivational Expert From “The Biggest Loser” TV Show

“At Alternative Roots Farm we strive to bring healthy choices, and greater awareness of the food we are consuming, to our community. As a small farmer, it is meaningful to have the support of our local health system — it has been great to partner with the Heart of New Ulm in building positive awareness and change. Having the Heart of New Ulm facilitate communication between local farmers has been a beneficial experience.”

 

Brooke Knisley

-Alternative Roots Farm

“When the directors of the Heart of New Ulm project approached me to ask if I could add some heart-healthy recipes to my menu, I said, ’Of course!’ Our healthy items are easy to make and are profitable, too. I win and New Ulmites win. To see people take the Heart of New Ulm project to heart fills me with pride. After all, we’re just a little German community.”

 

George Cottom

-OWNER, GEORGE’S FINE STEAKS & SPIRITS IN NEW ULM, AS QUOTED IN DIABETIC LIVING MAGAZINE

“We can work hard and we can create exchanges and reform insurance and work on Medicare payments and things that need to get done, but true savings are going to come when we do the preventative measures that improve peoples’ lives and that hit closest to home. That’s how we’re going to contain costs.”

 

Tim Walz

-MINNESOTA FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN TIM WALZ ON THE HEART OF NEW ULM PROJECT, AS QUOTED IN THE NEW ULM JOURNAL

“It’s really amazing to see people so in tune to their health … becoming more educated and aware of how to make good choices, as well as staying committed to exercising regularly. It’s great to see the whole family getting involved, too.”

 

CHERYL KORMANN

-ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, NEW ULM PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

“This project is like a critical-mass bicycle ride. If you get enough bikes out there, they can take over the street.”

 

Dr. Charles Stephens

-FORMER LOCAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE HEART OF NEW ULM PROJECT

“We are working with the Heart of New Ulm Project to find ways to increase health-related topics and options for our staff and students. Encouraging walking to school, eating healthier foods and fostering positive relationships in school all help students to focus in school and life.”

 

JEFF BERTRANG

-SUPERINTENDENT, ISD #88, AS QUOTED IN THE NEW ULM JOURNAL

“We want to fuel our kids for success both on and off the court. Working with the Heart of New Ulm to add some healthier options to the concessions mix was a great way for us to give a consistent message about our commitment to promoting activity and good health for both our kids and our fans.”

 

JEFF ANDERSON

-PRESIDENT, NEW ULM BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION, AS QUOTED IN THE NEW ULM JOURNAL

“By defining health as something that happens both in the doctor’s office and within the community, residents of New Ulm are able to make meaningful lifestyle changes that will ultimately help them lead healthier lives.”

 

Kate Rubin

-VICE PRESIDENT OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, UNITEDHEALTH GROUP, AS QUOTED IN OPTUM’S THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

“It’s really inspiring to see how New Ulm residents, employers, leaders and New Ulm Medical Center have partnered together to help our community become healthier. Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project’s innovative approach to preventing heart attacks is something that we hope in the future will be successfully replicated in communities all across the country.”

 

Toby Freier

-PRESIDENT, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER

“I don’t know when it seemed to be cost-effective to participate (in the Heart of New Ulm’s restaurant program), but suddenly it was. We were starting to lose customers because we had this heavy meat-and-potato menu. When we started adding salads, I was blown away at how many we went through. It was like somebody flipped a switch. The Heart of New Ulm has changed the town.”

 

VIRGINIA SUKER MOLDAN

-MANAGER, TURNER HALL IN NEW ULM, AS QUOTED IN EATINGWELL