News Release: 2/20/2025

Community contributions report highlights Essentia Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care, creating healthier communities
At Essentia Health, we are committed to making a healthy difference in people’s lives and achieving healthy outcomes in the communities we serve. That includes enhancing access to high-quality care, as well as being engaged and supportive community partners.
 
Our latest community contributions report was recently finalized and underscores Essentia’s commitment to ensuring underserved populations get the care they need. Our community contributions had a total value of $490.8 million over the most recent fiscal year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). As a nonprofit health system, Essentia is committed to providing quality, comprehensive care to all the patients we serve regardless of their ability to pay. This includes providing free or discounted health services for those unable to pay for their care, discounted care for uninsured patients, and care that isn’t fully reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid.
 
“Our mission is to make a healthy difference in people’s lives,” Essentia CEO Dr. David Herman said. “As a not-for-profit health system, we support the health of our communities in many ways that personally touch our patients. We continue to be committed to providing care to patients and families who cannot pay for that care, and working with our communities to provide support to keep people healthy. We are proud to collaborate with affordable housing leaders, food banks and many other community partners to extend our impact beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics.”
 
Josh Johnson, superintendent of Valley City Public Schools in North Dakota, was looking for a way to make health care more readily available for his students. What followed was an innovative collaboration with Essentia Health and Medica. Essentia operates a virtual visit access point in the high school that makes it easier to access care during school hours and is raising awareness about behavioral health.
 
“We’re a rural state, and access to health care can be challenging,” said Johnson. “Essentia’s support to meet the needs of our kids serves as an outstanding model to other school districts.”
 
Essentia reinvests in expert and accessible care across our mostly rural service area. That means opening new, state-of-the-art clinics in Deerwood, Staples, Cloquet, Hinckley and Moose Lake, among other communities. It also means investing in medical technology; hiring and retaining talented people; and engaging in robust research and education programs.
 
What others are saying
 
“We are grateful for the support of community partners like Essentia Health, who share our commitment to investing in children’s futures. Together, we can empower every child, regardless of their background, with the opportunities and support they need to thrive.” — Fatma Hussein of Jasmin Child Care and Preschool, which received a $50,000 grant from Essentia in order to reach more people.
 
“United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is proud to call Essentia a partner in helping Iron Range residents and communities thrive. For years, Essentia has invested time and resources into our organization — and given employees the opportunity to do the same — in a way that highlights our shared commitment to improving our neighbors’ well-being. Together, we’ve been able to make differences that matter while we continue to work toward a healthier, more vibrant future for our communities.” — Erin Shay, executive director of the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota
 
Proud of our community partnerships
 
Essentia continues to make these investments despite unprecedented financial challenges facing health care, especially in rural communities. We continue to work with community partners from across our service area to help address key determinants of health in the places we call home. Additional examples include:

 

• Contributing to affordable housing. READ MORE.
   
• Our commitment to train physicians to practice in rural areas. READ MORE.
   
• Our robust community health worker program. READ MORE.