Essentia Health-The Lights West Fargo Clinic

Essentia Health is proud to support the Central Range Pickleball Club in Hibbing, Minnesota, with a contribution of $10,000 to the Bennett Park Pickleball Courts!

Renovations have been completed and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month. Our colleagues were honored to be in attendance, and Essentia is thrilled see this project come to fruition in our efforts to achieve health and vitality in the communities we're privileged to serve.

Community Engagement: https://ow.ly/ANqK50SEGNq

Kristi Hautamaki, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, was recently diagnosed with adult acute myeloid leukemia — an aggressive but treatable cancer with a bone marrow transplant.

Essentia is hosting a bone marrow drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in the atrium of SMMC in Duluth, Minnesota. Participants between the ages of 15-44 simply need to have their cheek swabbed.

"A simple cheek swab could give you the potential to save a life,” says Hautamaki. “It can take months for those in need to find a match, and without it those who are impacted by blood disease are at risk of dying."

Essentia Health hosting bone marrow drive in Duluth Each year, about 18,000 people are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness in which a bone marrow transplant is needed, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Congratulations to Chief Nursing Executive Rhonda Kazik! She has been recognized as an accomplished nurse leader and accepted to the 2024 American Academy of Nursing’s Class of Fellows.

The academy has more than 3,000 fellows, who are identified as nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, administration, research, practice and academia. Together, these nursing leaders aim to create positive, lasting change in their organizations and communities.

Please help us welcome these newly hired professionals to the Essentia Health family.

Brown: https://bit.ly/3WEpJ3r
Marvig https://bit.ly/4crblkO
Williams: https://bit.ly/4clShEA

Essentia Health's colleagues make a healthy difference in people's lives every day, and we want to celebrate that together!

It's been wonderful seeing your smiling faces at our appreciation picnics this summer — and we look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming picnics. Thank you for everything you do to achieve health and vitality in the communities we're privileged to serve.

Essentia Health is a proud to support Second Harvest Northland's "Nourish the Northland" Capital Campaign with a $75,000. Second Harvest is increasing its capacity and improving services by renovating their new facility in Duluth, Minnesota, which will serve as their central distribution point.

Extended capacity in the new building will increase the number of meals they distribute throughout the Arrowhead Region from 6 million to 10 million each year!

Essentia’s Nutrition Services has also partnered with Second Harvest since 2012, donating over 200,000 pounds of food to their food rescue program, which redistributes food to agency partners for food insecure neighbors in the Twin Ports.

Community Engagement: https://ow.ly/ANqK50SEGNq

From July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, we're thrilled to say Essentia Health offered nearly 480,000 hours of clinical training to more than 2,700 students.

These students are future providers, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, rad techs, surge techs and other professionals.

Essentia offers nearly half a million hours of clinical training in latest fiscal year Of the many challenges facing health systems, one of the most pressing involves workforce shortages. That's especially true in rural communities, where recruiting physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and other medical professionals has become increasingly difficult.

Kudos to the Essentia Health-Casselton Clinic Family Medicine team! They recently participated in the community's annual Summer Fest Parade to enjoy a little fun with our patients and neighbors.

The parade is a community gathering that offers our colleagues a chance to build closer relationships with those we care for.

"The Casselton staff prides themselves on holding a strong connection to the community," says Danielle Olsen, operations manager. "We are proud to serve these people."

"Nothing was working, and I was really starting to freak out," explains Roberta Dubs as she debated canceling her race.

Dubs made an appointment with her primary care provider, Rachel Hare of the Essentia-South University Clinic, who quickly put in for an urgent colonoscopy with Dr. Kimberly Kolkhorst, a gastroenterologist at Essentia-Fargo.

Roberta's story: https://ow.ly/WpLW50SKq4W
Colon Cancer Screenings: https://ow.ly/J5G550SKq5M

Trust your gut: Colonoscopy helps keep Fargo woman running It was her sister that got Roberta Dubs into running.

We're happy to welcome these new providers on board. See if they're bringing care to your area.

Loegering: https://bit.ly/3WQCCIY
Voss: https://bit.ly/3YtG7WT
Mosher: https://bit.ly/3yCTE3Q

Essentia Health is inviting community members to provide input about community health needs in its service areas.

This input opportunity is part of Essentia’s Community Health Needs Assessments, which are completed every three years and guide the work and partnerships of Essentia’s Community Health Department.

The survey is open through Sept. 30. If you have questions or need assistance, please email [email protected].

Essentia Health seeks public input on community health needs Essentia Health is inviting community members to provide input about community health needs in its service areas.

Essentia Health is honored to be one of five recipients across the country to receive the American Hospital Association Dick Davidson NOVA Award in 2024.

Essentia was recognized for its Resourceful program — a public resource directory connecting community members with thousands of verified programs providing free and reduced-cost services.

Essentia Health receives national recognition for its commitment to healthier communities The American Hospital Association (AHA) on Wednesday presented Essentia Health with the prestigious AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award for hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health.

Essentia Health is proud to announce that the replacement St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota, has been recognized as 2023’s top project in Minnesota by Finance & Commerce.

“[SMMC] included 3.2 million hours of union labor work,” says Jack Carlson, president of the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council.

“The men and women of the skilled construction trades are proud to have built this award-winning medical center that provides crucial care for our community.”

Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center recognized as top project statewide Essentia Health is proud to announce that the replacement St. Mary’s Medical Center has been recognized as 2023’s top project in Minnesota by Finance & Commerce, an independent newspaper dedicated to business reporting.

“We are proud to have a meaningful presence in the communities we serve. We’re thankful these new providers have chosen to join Essentia Health, and live our mission of making a healthy difference in our patients’ lives,” says Essentia Health CEO David C. Herman, MD.

Suihkonen: https://bit.ly/3SrZETI
Karls: https://bit.ly/3LGFVMn
Renton: https://bit.ly/3YnOFyO

"Initially, I went out of curiosity," explains Essentia Health's Julie Dinius. "I cannot imagine not going. It's hard to say no because it's just amazing what a group of people can do for those who don't have any way of getting that kind of care. It's incredibly rewarding."

In late April, a team from Essentia Health-Ada traveled to the Dominican Republic with Haiti Eye mission to help provide life-changing eye care.

Full story: https://ow.ly/nOtr50SLh2T

One way Essentia Health achieves health and vitality with our communities is by supporting local farmers markets, which bring people together over locally-grown food, artisan craftsmanship, and a sense of connectedness.

Find an Essentia-supported farmers market near you:

Detroit Lakes Area:

▪ Lakes Area Farmers Market: Open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays
▪ Pelican Market: Open 3-6 p.m. Fridays in Downtown Pelican Rapids
▪ Park Rapids Farmers’ Market: Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
▪ White Earth Community Farmer’s Market: Open 3-6 p.m. Thursdays in Mahnomen.

Duluth:

▪ Hillside Farmers Market: Open 2-5 p.m. Tuesdays at the Essentia parking lot across from 503 E. 3rd St.
▪ Lincoln Park Farmers Market: Open 3-6 p.m. Thursdays at the Harrison Community Center

FM Area:

▪ Red River Market: Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at Broadway Square in Fargo
▪ Moorhead Farmers Market: Open 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Hjemkomst Center Parking Lot

Grand Rapids:

▪ Grand Rapids Farmers Market: Open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through September and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays in October at 11 Golf Course Rd.

Minnesota's Iron Range:

▪ Virginia Market Square: Open 2:30-6 p.m. Thursdays at 111 S. 9th Ave. W.
▪ Hibbing Farmers Market: Open 2-5 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 1309 E. 40th St.
▪ Cook Area Farmers Market: Open 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at 127 S. River St.
▪ Tower Farmers Market: Open 4-6 p.m. Fridays at the Depot in Tower

“Much like any AI or other robotic system, it’s guided by a human. This makes my job easier, but it doesn’t replace what I do,” explains Essentia Health Neurosurgeon Anthony Burrows, MD.

A very big "thank you" to everyone who came to Essentia-St. Mary's Medical Center to meet our robots this week!

Duluth News Tribune: https://ow.ly/8akE50SJK1f
Northern News Now: https://ow.ly/Q5BM50SJK1y
Fox 21 News: https://ow.ly/ukAg50SJK2l
WDIO: https://ow.ly/CAtO50SJK2J
More: https://ow.ly/zhR750SJK3j

Meet the robots used in Essentia surgeries Surgeons offer an inside look at how the advanced tools work.

"Diuretics, you’re thinking, 'Alright, I’m trying to reduce fluid,’ explains Essentia Health Medication Safety and Regulatory Director Jeffrey Ferber.

"But, you may not think about it in the way that 'if I reduce fluid and then I go out in the heat, then I could get dehydrated more quickly, because I don’t have as much fluid on board.'"

Feeling hot? Your medication could be making it worse If you take certain medications, you might be even more prone to feeling the heat than your non-medicated counterparts.

Please join us in congratulating Essentia Health's Volunteers of the Year! Thank you for your commitment to making a healthy difference in people's lives.

Volunteer of the Year:

▪ Darian Slama, registered nurse, Intensive Care Unit, Essentia Health-Fargo

▪ Cassie Voltzke, patient experience transformation partner, Support Services Building (Duluth)

Lifetime Volunteer Achievement:

▪ Christine Barnard, department coordinator, Anesthesiology, St. Mary’s Medical Center (Duluth, Building B)

We are proud of the trust our communities place in us to make a healthy difference in their lives. Please help us spread the word by voting for Essentia Health in the Duluth News Tribune “Best of the Best” contest!

Voting is officially open — you can vote once per day through Aug. 9. Thank you for your support in our mission to make a healthy difference in people's lives. Categories include:

▪ Best Large Company to Work For (50+)
▪ Best Customer Service – Health & Wellness
▪ Best Exercise Facility: Essentia Health Center for Personal Fitness
▪ Best Eye Doctor: Michael Fuchs, OD; Jason Stowe, OD
▪ Best Medical Facility: Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center
▪ Best Medical Professional: Krisa Keute, MD
▪ Best Pharmacy: Hermantown Pharmacy; Superior East Pharmacy

Best of the Best 2024 nominations are open The Duluth News Tribune's 2024 Best of the Best Contest is a celebration of the best the Northland has to offer when it comes to businesses and organizations that make this a better place to live.

Looking for a new provider? Then we hope you’re as excited as we are to have these experts join Essentia. See if they’re practicing near you.

Johnson: https://ow.ly/SzFK50SGfum
Kohn: https://ow.ly/jXeu50SGfuY
Marinov: https://ow.ly/cKQG50SGfwz

Essentia Health is thrilled to have been part of the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for the new early childhood playground at the Washington Center in Duluth, Minnesota. In 2022, Essentia Health contributed $20,000 toward purchase of the play equipment.

This project is the result of a partnership among Duluth Public Schools, DuluthParksMN, Essentia Health, Duluth Library Foundation, Every Child Ready Duluth, and Duluth Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). It strategically responds to mental and social well-being needs in Duluth's Central Hillside neighborhood, as identified in our Community Health Needs Assessment.

Community Engagement: https://ow.ly/ANqK50SEGNq
Community Health Needs Assessments: essentiahealth.org/about/chna

"You've really got to pay attention. Listen to what your body's telling you," explains Essentia Health's Christopher Anderson, MD (emergency medicine).

"If you're ... feeling thirsty, make sure you're getting adequate fluid."

Tips to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors during high temps Doctors share tips to avoid heat-related complications

According to National Institute of Mental Health, did you know nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness?

All of Us Research aims to enroll one million or more people from diverse backgrounds so researchers may better understand the conditions that affect our physical and .

Learn more at essentiahealth.org/allofus.