Minnesota veteran works to create ‘first-of-its-kind’ wellness campus in Dayton

A Minnesota veteran is building what he is calling a "first-of-its-kind" wellness center for fellow veterans and their families.

Shawn Alderman served 31 years in the military, first enlisting in 1988. He served as a special forces operator in the ’90s, and after 9/11 returned to the Middle East as a surgeon for special forces units.

In all his travels and service, he would think back to one place in Minnesota that made him feel at peace — his aunt and uncle’s sprawling 36-acre estate in Dayton.

"This is ‘Epiphany Way’ here," Alderman said while walking the property, remembering the day he came up with concept.

"I looked up and it hit me," he said. "This is the most serene and peaceful place I’ve ever been. I know what this can be."

Alderman went to his aunt and shared his vision.

"My aunt, being the patriot she is and has tremendous love for veterans, gifted this to the Magnus Foundation to create our wellness campus," he said.

Over the last year, Alderman has been working to transform the land and buildings into what he describes as a comprehensive care model for veterans and their families, an ambitious project that will take millions of dollars to complete.

"I honestly feel like I’ve been called to do this and I feel my whole life has sort of been heading in this direction," Alderman said during a recent interview.

Alderman modeled the center off of a Special Forces Unit initiative he participated in that seeks to care for active duty soldiers in a more holistic way that incorporates physical and mental health, with social and spiritual practices.

"I saw what this could do for individuals," he said. "I saw what this could do for families."

The family’s estate will transform into a campus dedicated to healing. The main house will be remodeled to create outpatient care offices and spaces for psychological services.

A large, red barn on the property will be retrofitted for the physical performance space, equipped with workout gear and space for physical therapy.

Alderman said the large, open spaces and access to a nearby lake create a sense of calm and a unique option for veterans seeking to improve themselves and their lives.

"We don’t want to recreate what other nonprofits, or the VA, or other medical clinics are out there doing," he said. "Our goal is that we prove this concept, we show this is the way to take care of veterans, and then we take it to other communities."

The foundation plans to open the campus to veterans in November 2021. If you’d like to donate to the cause or learn more information, click here.