At the announcement of the big gift from the Hoffman Family Foundation were: front row, left to right; Darrin Germann (environmental services manager), Mike and Tami Hoffman, Rick Ash (CEO), Krista Blair (board member), Jamie Shure (medical imaging manager), Jeffon Seely (COO). Back row, left to right; UHD board members Chase Brandt, Julie Laue, Bill Barke and Jake Anderson, and Dr. Aaron Johnson (chief medical officer).

United Hospital District (UHD), an independent and award-winning healthcare system serving southern Minnesota, last week announced a major advancement in patient care: the installation of a state-of-the-art MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine, made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the Mike and Tami Hoffman Family Foundation.

This $1.5 million gift empowers UHD to strengthen it’s world-class diagnostic imaging with the addition of stationary MRI technology, setting a new standard for healthcare excellence across the region, UHD says.

The new MRI technology will enable UHD’s clinical team to obtain highly detailed images, supporting earlier detection, more accurate diagnoses, and highly personalized treatment plans for a broad spectrum of health conditions. Patients throughout the region will benefit from expanded access to cutting-edge imaging, eliminating the need for long-distance travel and ensuring timely, life-saving care right here at home.

“This gift from the Mike and Tami Hoffman Family Foundation is transformative – not only because it brings a new, state-of-the-art MRI to our region, but because it strengthens the long-term health of United Hospital District,” said Rick Ash, CEO of United Hospital District. “In rural healthcare, access doesn’t happen by accident. It takes community commitment, strong local partnerships, and the resources to invest in modern technology close to home. Mike and Tami’s generosity helps ensure our patients can receive high-quality diagnostic imaging here – without the burden of long travel – while also reinforcing UHD’s ability to remain strong, independent, and ready to meet our communities’ needs for years to come. We are deeply grateful for their vision, their trust, and the legacy of care this gift will create.”

The Hoffman family’s philanthropic leadership exemplifies the spirit of community and the power of giving back, hospital members said. Their support ensures UHD remains at the forefront of compassionate, high-quality care, advancing our mission to serve every patient with dignity and expertise.

“Blue Earth’s United Hospital has been part of our lives from day one,” said Mike Hoffman, retired CEO of The Toro Company. “Both Tami and I were born there, as were all of our Hoffman and Paschke siblings. Additionally, my mother was a registered nurse at UHD for decades, from the end of World War II into the 1970s. Being able to give back to our hometown healthcare system is truly rewarding, and we hope it makes a real difference for members of our community.”

Renovations are beginning March of 2026 to create a dedicated space for this next-generation MRI system, with patient services expected to launch by January 2027.

There is already a space available for this new addition, as it was part of the new hospital and clinic additions of the past. It has been used for storage for several years

UHD’s press release states that the investment in this technology will further elevate the quality of care available in this community, ensuring every patient receives the most precise and timely diagnoses possible.

For more information about UHD’s expanded imaging services, please visit uhd.org or call 507-526-3273.