Built on Innovation: A Look Inside the St. Cloud Surgical Center Remodel
For more than five decades, St. Cloud Surgical Center has been growing, adapting, and evolving alongside the patients and community it serves. What began as a bold idea in 1972 has become one of the nation’s most respected outpatient surgical centers, built not only on advanced care but on thoughtful design, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to patient experience.
For the past five years, St. Cloud Surgical Center has been writing its next chapter, and we’re excited to share that the remodel journey we have embarked on is officially closed. Read on to learn more.
Our remodel layout highlighting the three phases completed between 2020 and 2025.
A Vision Ahead of Its Time
St. Cloud Surgical Center was founded in 1972 by Dr. Joseph Belshe, whose vision reshaped what surgical care could look like in Central Minnesota. The first procedures were performed in an office setting at the Physicians & Surgeons Building on West St. Germain. Just months later, in August of 1972, St. Cloud Surgical Center relocated to 1401 West St. Germain, performing its first case there on August 10th.
Dr. Joseph Belshe at St. Cloud Surgical Centers’ 50th Anniversary in 2022. Belshe, who lived in Florida with his wife at the time, passed away in 2023 at the age of 102.
From the beginning, we have always been different.
St. Cloud Surgical Center became the first freestanding outpatient surgery center in Minnesota and the second in the nation, setting a new standard for surgical efficiency, safety, and patient-centered care.
As demand grew, so did the facility. Between 1972 and 1993, the original West St. Germain location expanded from one operating room to six, each addition thoughtfully designed by employees in collaboration with architects who understood the unique needs of surgical care.
Growing with the Community
In May of 1993, St. Cloud Surgical Center moved to its current home on Northway Drive, opening a new 25,266 square-foot facility with nine operating rooms. This move marked a major milestone and allowed the center to expand services while continuing to prioritize outpatient excellence.
Growth continued in 2002 with a significant expansion that increased the total footprint to more than 37,000 square feet. This phase included the addition of patient support spaces and two extra operating rooms, bringing the total to eleven. The business office was relocated to the lower level to create more room for patient admissions. Yet another example of how patient flow and comfort have always guided design decisions.
Modernizing for the Future: A Multi-Year Remodel
Over the years, one thing has remained clear: healthcare doesn’t stand still, and neither does St. Cloud Surgical Center.
Beginning in 2020, our center launched a series of intentional upgrades to ensure the facility could support advanced procedures, new technology, and a growing surgical volume. That year, the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) was relocated and expanded, growing from 1,100 to 4,000 square feet. This move allowed for the creation of larger operating rooms, a new breakroom, conference space, purchasing areas, and upgraded mechanical rooms. This allowed us to improve both efficiency and staff support.
The most recent remodel, completed in phases between June 2024 and August 2025, focused on enhancing patient experience, workflow, and safety across 9,300 square feet of the Center.
Key updates included:
- A refreshed open-concept front lobby, improving flow and visibility while incorporating additional security features
- Updates to the admitting nurses’ workstation, ensuring efficiency and privacy
- Expansion of Phase II Recovery, increasing patient rooms, and creating larger, more comfortable spaces
- Relocation of the Health History Nurse’s office to better support patient intake
- Renovations in the lower level, including a new IT space, a lactation room, updated locker rooms, and additional storage
Throughout every phase, care continued uninterrupted, a testament to the careful planning and teamwork of our entire staff.
The start of the long hall! First dig in 2020 to start the five-year remodel project.
Designed for Patients, Built for Care Teams
Every space inside St. Cloud Surgical Center serves a purpose, and each remodel phase was designed with both patients and staff in mind.
From Pre-Op and Admitting, where patients meet with nurses and anesthesia providers, to Phase I and Phase II Recovery, where comfort, monitoring, and education are priorities, SCSC continues to refine how care is delivered. The Center supports:
- Advanced recovery spaces with trained ACLS- and PALS-certified nurses
- A Recovery Care Unit (RCU) capable of overnight stays, making SCSC the first freestanding ASC in Minnesota to offer this level of care
- Operating rooms designed to accommodate advanced robotics, total joint replacements, and specialty procedures
Behind the scenes, expanded sterile processing, loading dock improvements, and upgraded support departments ensure safety and efficiency at every step.
Innovation That Sets the Standard
Throughout its history, St. Cloud Surgical Center has been a leader in bringing advanced procedures to the outpatient setting, often as a first in the region or nation. From early laparoscopic surgeries and LASIK to robotic joint replacements and retinal surgery, innovation has always been part of the culture.
Today, our center supports a wide range of specialties, including orthopedics, spine, ENT, ophthalmology, endoscopy, pain management, and more. In 2024 alone, the Center completed 9,500 surgeries, including more than 1,000 joint replacements—a dramatic increase from just 149 joint replacements in 2015.
This growth is supported by advanced technology, including robotic-assisted systems like MAKO and VELYS™, UV disinfecting lights throughout the facility, and carefully designed OR layouts that support precision and safety.
A Culture That Endures
While the building has evolved over the years, the heart of St. Cloud Surgical Center has remained constant. Our culture, built on teamwork, service excellence, integrity, and compassion, is reflected in the people who show up every day to care for patients. Of our 162 employees, 41 have been part of SCSC for more than 20 years, a true testament to the environment we’ve worked hard to create and protect.
That same commitment to excellence extends to our partnership with Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA), which began in 2008. Together, we share a mission to care for patients, serve physicians, and improve healthcare in America, all while continuing to exceed the expectations of the communities we serve.
This remodel is a direct reflection of those values. It’s not simply about refreshed spaces or modern design; it’s about supporting our people, advancing patient care, and preparing St. Cloud Surgical Center for the next generation of surgical excellence.
With thoughtful planning, advanced technology, and a team dedicated to continuous improvement, St. Cloud Surgical Center is ready to serve Central Minnesota for decades to come.
In September of 2025, we invited our team, both new and old, to an open house at the center. After a 5-year remodeling journey, the results are something to be proud of and a true reflection of Dr. Belshe’s lasting legacy. We are so grateful for the wonderful Central Minnesota community and our staff, who were patient with us during this process. We hope to see St. Cloud Surgical Center thriving for many years to come.
