The Lloyd and Ardis Peterson Cancer Symposium is held annually in the fall and comes from the generosity of the Lloyd and Ardis Peterson Family Foundation who wished to honor their parents in the community where they lived and worked while also recognizing the quality care they received from the medical center in Albert Lea.

Lloyd and Ardis Peterson were born, raised and made Albert Lea their home until they passed away. They believed strongly in being an active part of the community and in giving back with their time and money.

They established the Lloyd and Ardis Peterson Family Foundation with all grants benefiting the Albert Lea area. Both Lloyd and Ardis were cancer patients, prompting the Peterson family – Valerie Koens, John Peterson, and Steven Peterson along with Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea and Austin – to create the Lloyd and Ardis Peterson Cancer Education Symposium.