Meet the Birchems

Jim and Kathy Birchem are the owners of ElderCare of MN.  They both grew up on farms in Morrison County near the town of Sobieski.  After both graduated from the Little Falls High School, Kathy received her 3 year RN Diploma at  St. Cloud School of Nursing and Jim received his B.A. in Business Accounting from St. Cloud State University.  They married in 1973 and were blessed with their daughter, Steffanie.  Jim also served in the active Army for 2 years.  Following that, he served in the Army National Guard for 30 years.

Jim and Kathy purchased their first Nursing Home in Bemidji, MN in 1996.  They have been involved in Senior Health Care for 30 years.  Jim has been involved at the Community, State, and National level with building projects and organizations.

Jim Birchem is a licensed nursing home administrator with an extensive accounting and management background.  He is presently administrator of St. Otto's Care Center, Little Falls, MN, and CEO of ElderCare of MN.  He serves on the board of the National Center of Assisted Living in Washington, D.C. and is treasurer of Care Providers of Minnesota.  Jim was recently appointed to the veterans Health Care Advisory Council by Governor Pawlenty and is actively involved in veteran care issues.

Kathy Birchem is a registered nurse and has been involved in health care since 1968, working as a dietary aide, nursing assistant, and RN.  She has extensive experience in all levels of senior care that includes nursing home, home care, and assisted living.  Since 2000, she has assumed educational duties within the corporation, along with development/ownership of new locations.  Kathy is an active member of Care Providers of Minnesota while serving on the foundation and education committees.  She is also a licensed public school teacher and corporate RN for ElderCare of MN.

Currently the Birchems own 7 skilled nursing facilities (manage 3 others) and 12 assisted living facilities (managing 2 others).  Their philosophy is to assist small towns in rural Minnesota by helping the Elderly remain in their home town communities.  They are involved on a daily basis environment somewhere in their facilities.  They enjoy working with the Elderly and making a home-like place for them - therefore you will not be surprised to see them walking the hallways visiting at any time of day.

The staff members of ElderCare of MN have knowledge and experience in geriatric nursing, healthcare finance,  building projects, grant proposals, and managing human resources in the health care industry.  Putting all of this expertise together allow ElderCare of MN to analyze, audit, and offer solutions to many of the unique situations that senior care organizations are facing in today's ever changing market.

We welcome you to contact us anytime for questions or information.  We love what we do; helping others continue to offer housing options to the senior population is our passion and we take pride in our work and success.