ST. CLOUD -- Patients at St. Cloud Medical Group may start seeing some subtle changes in the coming months as CentraCare Health has announced they are merging with St. Cloud Medical Group.

CentraCare President and CEO Dr. Ken Holmen says they are keeping all of the Medical Group clinics open so patients can still go see their usual doctor. He adds, all employees will also be retained as operations continue as normal at all of the Medical Group campuses.

The merger goes into effect immediately after getting approval from the Federal Trade Commission Thursday.

The integration of the two health care systems will take up to 18 months to complete.

Calls to St. Cloud Medical Group officials seeking comment, have not been returned.

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