In 2005, Building Bridges was established to address breast and cervical cancer screening disparities among rural and medically-underserved women in Stearns County. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Minnesota Department of Health’s Sage Screening Program, Parish Nurses, St. Cloud Hospital Breast Center, Centracare Clinics, Stearns County Public Health, and others collaborated to begin providing culturally-sensitive educational messages on the benefits of screening and securing free or low-cost screening for women experiencing cultural or financial barriers to screening.

Interventions and strategies have included faith-based screening days, partnering with parish nurses and churches to reach Spanish speaking women, working with a local manufacturing facility to reach Asian women, and building on activities of Stearns County Public Heath and the Sage Screening Program to disseminate information across the county.

Building Bridges meets quarterly, rotating meeting locations among partner organizations.

Chair: Pam Siewart, siewertp@centracare.com 

Project Team Members
Supporting Documents