NEW TOWN – A grand opening and ground blessing ceremonies were held June 27 in New Town to kick off construction of the MHA Diabetes Education Center.

The MHA Diabetes Education Center is a community-based facility offering a blend of wellness, fitness, and health education spaces. Features include a teaching kitchen, fitness areas, flexible meeting spaces, and an indoor track, community gardens, teaching spaces, and walking paths.

The MHA Kidney Dialysis Unit will be constructed adjacent to the Diabetes Education Center, and will serve enrolled members of the Three Affiliated Tribes needing end stage renal dialysis (ESRD) treatment.

The community-based facility will be fully staffed and equipped to provide hemodialysis care on site with 12 patient treatment stations. It will also provide two fully equipped peritoneal home hemodialysis training rooms to educate patients and allow many to eventually provide their own home-based dialysis treatments. MHA Health is working in partnership with the Sanford Health Dialysis Program to staff and operate the new KDU program.