Madelia Health Partners with the City of Lake Crystal to Enhance Lake Crystal Area Ambulance Service
MADELIA, MN – The City of Lake Crystal and Madelia Health have signed an agreement to enhance and stabilize emergency medical services (EMS) provided by the Lake Crystal Area Ambulance Service. Beginning January 1, 2026, Madelia Health will assume responsibility for the staffing and operations of Lake Crystal EMS.
The Lake Crystal Area Ambulance Service is currently operated by the City with a combination of paid and volunteer staff. In recent years, the service has increasingly relied on neighboring EMS providers to fill critical gaps in coverage. Under the new agreement, all current Lake Crystal EMS volunteers and paid staff will have the opportunity to transition into employment with Madelia Health.
This partnership will bring significant benefits to the Lake Crystal community and surrounding areas. With Madelia Health managing daily operations, the service will have the staffing capacity to provide full-time EMS coverage. The new structure will also allow for more robust training opportunities, consistent quality standards, and the potential for transitioning to an Advanced Life Support (ALS) service with paramedics.
“Access to timely, high-quality EMS is vital in rural communities where hospitals and specialty care are often many miles away,” said Dave Walz, President & CEO of Madelia Health. “This partnership ensures that residents of Lake Crystal and the surrounding area can count on having access to emergency services close to home.”
The City of Lake Crystal expressed strong support for the partnership, recognizing it as a strategic move to preserve and strengthen a critical service amid growing challenges in rural healthcare staffing.
“This is a win for our community,” said Angela Grafstrom, City Administrator of Lake Crystal. “By partnering with Madelia Health, we’re ensuring the long-term sustainability of our ambulance service and reinforcing our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents.”
Madelia Health brings valuable experience to the table. Since 2019, it has successfully managed the Madelia ambulance service, enhancing response times and improving service quality. That proven success provides a strong foundation for the new partnership with Lake Crystal.
The transition will be carefully managed over the coming months, with a focus on continuity of care, support for current EMS personnel, and transparent communication with the community.
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About Madelia Health
Madelia Health is an independent, nonprofit facility staffed by a team of medical professionals that are committed to providing health care of the highest standards to patients in the Madelia, Lake Crystal, Truman, and St. James areas. As a 25-bed acute care hospital, we offer all the primary health services: Laboratory, Radiology, Mobile MRI, ultrasound, CT, 3D Mammograms, Physical Therapy, Emergency Room, Ambulance Services and Surgical Care. Our medical clinics also provide care for patients in all the seasons of their life. Over the years, we have proactively responded to the changing demands within the health care industry, which has ensured our ability to deliver up-to-date medical services, purchase advanced medical equipment, and provide complete and compassionate care to all who enter our facility. To learn more, visit https://www.madeliahealth.org.
