Astera Health/CentraCare Coborn Cancer Center 

Meeting The Need for Cancer Care in Central Minnesota

Astera Health is expanding its commitment to the community with a new 20,000-square-foot Cancer Center in partnership with CentraCare, bringing comprehensive cancer care to residents in Central Minnesota. This much-needed facility offers innovative treatment and compassionate care, ensuring patients across the region have convenient access to high-quality healthcare. 

Conversations focused on expanding cancer care in the region began many years ago and grew momentum in early 2021. During the initial planning phase, several gaps in access were identified — most notably, the need for more readily available radiation oncology services. These insights helped shape the vision for a dedicated cancer center designed to better serve the community in rural Minnesota.  

Located on the west side of the Astera Health main campus, the center is equipped to deliver advanced cancer treatments in a welcoming, patient-centered environment. The facility includes eight private infusion bays, a mark-less linear accelerator for radiation therapy, and a PET/CT scanner — technology also used across CentraCare’s cancer treatment centers. The partnership with Astera Health ensures that patients benefit from deep oncology expertise close to home.  

To prioritize comfort and convenience, the cancer center offers a private entrance exclusively for oncology patients. At the same time, it remains fully integrated with the hospital’s amenities — providing easy access to dining, pharmacy, and other essential services within the main campus.  

Built Through Collaboration and Strategic Development 

This project is the result of a strong collaboration between Astera Health, CentraCare, and Mortenson. Mortenson’s development team supported project funding through a mission-focused, tax-exempt bonded lease structure, to optimize the capital structure, ensuring financial resilience and project viability. The team also leveraged development resources to navigate entitlement processes and implement a proactive procurement strategy — ensuring the timely delivery of critical equipment and components to keep the project on track.