SANFORD HEALTH OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA

Sanford Bemidji Peak Center grand opening canceled due to storm impact

Pioneer Staff Report — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:52:27 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sanford Bemidji's grand opening of its new Peak Center, originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, has been canceled in response to the recent severe storm that has significantly impacted employees, patients and the greater Bemidji community.

All outpatient therapy services, including occupational, physical, speech and children’s therapy services relocated to the Peak Center in May.

"While we were eager to celebrate the opening of our new Peak Center, our priority now is supporting the recovery and well-being of those affected by this devastating weather event," said Karla Eischens, president and CEO of Sanford Bemidji, in a release. "Our focus must be on healing and rebuilding—both our homes and the community we are proud to serve."

Sanford Health remains committed to sharing the new Peak Center with the public, but has decided to cancel the event to prioritize community safety.

"In the meantime, Sanford encourages everyone to stay safe and continue looking out for one another during this challenging time," the release said.

More information can be found at sanfordhealth.org or by calling (218) 333-5898.

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Sanford Bemidji Peak Center to celebrate grand opening

Pioneer Staff Report — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:31:30 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sanford Bemidji invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sanford Bemidji Peak Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. The Peak Center is located at 2017 Net Way NW, in the former Delta Dental building.

All outpatient therapy services, including occupational, physical, speech and children’s therapy services relocated to the Peak Center in May. Some non-patient-facing departments will also be moving to the new location.

Bemidji's branch of Kraus-Anderson Construction recently completed an overhaul of the $3.3 million, 23,000-square-foot facility. Construction began in January to convert the former Delta Dental call center into a fully equipped physical therapy clinic featuring dedicated areas for rehabilitation and wellness, according to a release from Kraus-Anderson.

"Designed by EAPC Architects Engineers, the new PT facility will enhance patient experience, maximize functional space and support a diverse range of rehabilitation services," Kraus-Anderson said. "The comprehensive interior remodel features semi-private treatment rooms for individualized patient care; sensory and pediatric gyms designed for child-focused therapy and rehabilitation; an adult fitness area equipped for strength-building and mobility improvement; and a specialized cardio gym to enhance patient care and recovery."

The project also includes physical therapy treatment and neurotherapy spaces, as well as office workspaces and support staff areas for enhanced operational efficiency. Exterior improvements will include the addition of a new playground and a redesigned employee entrance, the release said.

“We are excited to celebrate the new home of our therapy services with the community as we continue to provide the same high-quality care,” Tanya Engesether, director of therapy and rehabilitation for Sanford Health Bemidji, said in a release.

During the open house, there will be a brief program followed by a meal from Black Hat BBQ, live music by Brock Beaulieu, facility tours, yard games and family-friendly activities.

More information can be found at sanfordhealth.org or by calling (218) 333-5898.

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Sanford Health of Bemidji recognized by American College of Cardiology

Pioneer Staff Report — Sun, 25 May 2025 15:00:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Five Sanford Health hospitals, including Sanford Health of Bemidji, were recognized for their dedication to heart patients by the American College of Cardiology in the ACC advertising insert in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report "Best Hospitals" Guidebook.

Along with Sanford Bemidji, Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls and Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center were honored in South Dakota, and Sanford Medical Center Fargo and Sanford Medical Center Bismarck were honored in North Dakota.

All five hospital locations are committed to providing top-level care, a release said. Through participation in the ACC’s proven quality programs, these hospitals inform their robust quality improvement processes using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart patients.

"Sanford Health continues to be a leader in providing world-class care to our cardiovascular patients," Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, said in the release. "With five of our hospitals across three states recognized by the American College of Cardiology, it reflects our commitment and dedication to deliver consistent and quality care across our footprint."

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Sanford Health's Outpatient Therapy Department to relocate to Peak Center

Pioneer Staff Report — Mon, 12 May 2025 20:48:49 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sanford Health’s Outpatient Therapy Department will relocate to the Sanford Bemidji Peak Center in the former Delta Dental building at 2017 Net Way North, starting Tuesday, May 20.

The department is currently located within the Sanford Bemidji Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center.

All outpatient children’s therapy, occupational, physical and speech therapy services and team members will be relocated, and some non-patient-facing departments will also move to the new location, which neighbors Beltrami Electric Cooperative and Pinnacle Marketing.

“We are excited to relocate our therapy services and continue to provide the same high-quality care,” Director of Therapy and Rehabilitation Tanya Engesether said in a release. “The larger space allows us to enhance the patient experience and personalized care in a fresh setting.”

Open to the community, a grand opening event for the Sanford Bemidji Peak Center will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. The event will include a brief program, tours, live music, games and a meal.

“The Sanford Bemidji Peak Center represents our continued investment in meeting the needs of our patients, staff and community,” President and CEO Karla Eischens said in the release. “This move reflects our commitment to keeping care close to home and supporting the healing and growth for patients of all ages.”

More information can be found at sanfordhealth.org or by calling (218) 333-5898.

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Sanford Health of Bemidji receives Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace designation

Pioneer Staff Report — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 16:48:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sanford Health in Bemidji was recently named a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace by the Minnesota Department of Health for its contributions to the health of parents and their babies.

MDH recognizes workplaces and county health departments that have demonstrated their commitment to supporting breastfeeding families by creating a workplace lactation support program.

"Employers who support new parents choosing to breastfeed not only nurture the well-being of families, but also foster a culture of care, balance, and productivity — empowering parents to thrive both at home and in the workplace," Erin Echternach, Sanford Health human resources advisor, said in a release. "To better support our breastfeeding employees, we have worked diligently to identify multiple lactation spaces that meet state and federal regulations within our hospital and clinic locations."

Sanford Health leaders also have resources available to actively support staff and families, such as family building benefits, because "supporting parents in the workplace is not just an investment in individuals, but in the future of the entire organization," the release said.

Studies show that infants who are breastfed have better health outcomes as they grow, the release noted. MDH recognizes organizations that have taken a leadership role to improve breastfeeding rates and meet their "Healthy 2030" goals.

The designation is achieved by adopting a written policy and educating staff about it; ensuring adequate break time for breastfeeding employees; providing a clean, private place to pump breast milk; and demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace designation was created and is supported by the state Women, Infants and Children program and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership.

To learn how to apply for recognition, visit health.state.mn.us/breastfeedingfriendly.

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Annual Bemidji Sanford Improvement Symposium highlights 40 projects

Daltyn Lofstrom — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:04:09 GMT

BEMIDJI — In a record-setting year, 40 posters created by Sanford Health employees — clinical and non-clinical alike — displayed their commitment to improvement on Thursday.

As part of the 2025 Bemidji Sanford Improvement Symposium, professionals representing a wide swath of departments featured posters focused on various aspects of care from safety to cost and quality of life to evidence-based practice.

Sanford Improvement’s overarching purpose is to enhance quality and safety by improving clinical outcomes, increasing patient/staff satisfaction, making processes more efficient and increasing cost-effectiveness. The symposium aims to encourage the sharing of improvement ideas across the health system and celebrate successes.

“This really captures every facet of what it takes to provide health care for the community,” Chief Medical Officer Dan Hoody said. “The diversity of projects reflects the team effort it takes to put quality and safe care in front of our community members every day.”

Following a welcome and keynote speech by Hoody, presenters dispersed to their respective posters to highlight their research and findings to judges and other passersby.

Among the crowd was Housing Case Manager Catie LeMay, who presented “Outreach to Permanent Housing.” The project evolved out of the need to meet clients that are experiencing homelessness where they are at.

“Within our housing department, we help individuals that are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to navigate the housing system because it’s a complicated system to navigate,” LeMay said.

In July 2023, Sanford Stable Housing received $100,000 in Emergency Services Program funding to expand housing navigation services and direct service into the community. During its award period of July 2023 to June 2025, the group hired a behavioral health counselor in February 2024 to offer services at Bemidji’s New Day Center Tuesdays through Fridays.

From May to December 2024, staff reviewed 39 program referrals, processed 21 admissions, ensured 49 clients received basic survival needs and successfully housed five individuals.

Though Thursday’s event marked LeMay’s third time presenting, other exhibitors were a bit more green. For her first time presenting, Registered Nurse Katie Korhonen presented “Toss Out Tumbles with Telesitters,” a project aimed at reducing inpatient falls by increasing the use of telesitters — remote video monitoring systems used to observe patients.

Korhonen’s project noted that fall rates have been higher at Sanford Bemidji compared to the Minnesota State average.

“Falls in a hospital are a huge dissatisfier with patient safety and good outcomes in the hospital,” Korhonen said. “By implementing these, we were able to decrease fall rates and gain back some staff trust.”

Standing amongst a bevy of other Sanford Health departments allowed Korhonen her own opportunity to learn while teaching others.

“It’s been really cool to see everybody’s projects and the different things they’re working on,” Korhonen added. “You think you kind of know everything that’s going on (at Sanford), then you walk around here and you find out there’s a lot more to it.”

Different domains

After the judges confer, awards are given out to first, second and third place winners. Additional awards include the Equity Award and Board’s Choice Award chosen by the Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota Board of Directors among others.

“We have multiple different awards based on different domains of quality, safety and patient experience excellence,” Hoody said. “It’s a nice little memento for the wonderful work they’ve put together, then the teams go back the next day and keep up the excellent care that they’re providing.”

As the grand prize, winning presenters attend a health conference of their choice which is appropriate to their department, all expenses covered by Sanford. Last year’s winners attended the World Hospital Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Such an opportunity to meet with other health care professionals on the world stage underscores the purpose of the symposium: improving health care in Bemidji’s back yard.

“We’re very fortunate to have a lot of great professionals here that are keeping us on the forefront, making sure we can offer the best care we can close to home,” Chief Nursing Officer Renee Axtman said. “Our community should know that we’re always looking to be better.”

“We have a tremendous workforce here in Bemidji. It’s an asset to the health of the community,” Hoody left off. “We’re just excited to be able to shine a spotlight on some of the teams that don’t otherwise get it, because they deserve it.”

Results

Award winners include:

1st Place: Hail Mary! Touching Down on Patient Safety and Satisfaction Through Timely Pain Reassessment (Emergency Department) 2nd Place: Building a HAPI Culture (MSO) 3rd Place: Implementation of Depression Screening in Urgent Care (Walk-In Clinic) Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota Board Award: Screen Early/Treat Early — The Recipe in Preventing Illness (Primary Care) Equity and Experience Award: Rebuilding, Restarting, Renewing — The New Beginnings Program (Behavioral Health) Excellence in Patient Experience Award: The 5 P's (Critical Care) Commitment to Quality and Safety Excellence Award: Sharing is Caring (Medical Oncology)

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New PET/CT imaging system installed at Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center

Daltyn Lofstrom — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:30:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Installed this past fall and used by its first patient in December 2024, the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center boasts a new PET/CT imaging system aimed at improving patient experiences.

Conversations about adding an indoor imaging system took root prior to the coronavirus pandemic. At that point, Sanford Bemidji made use of a mobile PET/CT scanner to diagnose patients as well as evaluate how well their treatment plans were working.

“For many years, we had utilized that scanner which was parked out in front of the emergency room,” Vice President of Operations Chris St. Peter said. “It required patients to travel around 30 yards from the building out to the coach during all types of weather. … The physician team and executive leadership quickly recognized that was not a great way to be treating our patients and we could provide a better patient experience.”

Consequently, Sanford team members made such a project a priority — bringing a PET/CT scanner in-house in an easily accessible area. A fundamental piece of the puzzle was the support of 185 donors who raised $746,000 to supplement the costs of the project.

Sanford Health Foundation Senior Development Officer Emily Aitken-MaGaurn noted a project cost of $2.5 million and an additional $1 million spent to renovate the space that the scanner occupies.

“The foundation is typically part of these big projects and they asked us to help supplement some of the costs,” Aitken-MaGaurn said. “The community saw the need to help improve the experience of all patients and their families moving forward.”

Prior to the scanner’s installation, St. Peter mentioned that many more oncology patients would have to travel to Duluth for treatments.

“Unfortunately, we do see a broader population of patients every year with cancer diagnoses,” he said, “so it’s really important that we offer this service in the Bemidji area and help these patients closer to home.”

St. Peter added that the center plans to scan around 40 patients a week with a particular focus on cancer patients, though the scanner may be used to diagnose a range of other conditions.

Regarding its capabilities, he explained that patients are injected with a radioactive tracer designed to show which areas of the body have higher-than-normal metabolic activity — namely areas with cancer cells and tumors. The PET scan shows these areas while the CT scan takes a series of images to create a 3D rendering of the body.

Scan times vary between 10 and 15 minutes.

“Scan times are faster compared to the mobile unit’s,” St. Peter said, “and the scanner is ergonomically designed.”

Given the discontinuance of its mobile unit and the addition of the dedicated space, Aitken-MaGaum hopes that patients will attain the greatest level of comfort when they need it most.

“It’s really neat to hear stories from patients that become donors because they saw the need,” Aitken-MaGaurn left off. “Some donors who may become patients someday, they are grateful that we were able to contribute to such an awesome project.”

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Greater Bemidji provides detailed update on proposed YMCA facility

TJ Rhodes — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:00:44 GMT

BEMIDJI — A Rail Corridor project years in the making was the primary focal point of a Bemidji City Council work session on Monday, as the council could vote to approve the project, which includes bringing a YMCA to Bemidji, as soon as next month.

The Rail Corridor is an underdeveloped and contaminated area south of downtown Bemidji in the vicinity of the Beltrami County History Center. Developing the area has been a topic of discussion for numerous years and Greater Bemidji, a 501c3 nonprofit that promotes development in the region, has been spearheading the project.

First proposed in 2021, Sanford Health initially brought the idea to the city to aid in the development of the area and was set to own and operate the facility but backed out in 2023 citing costs, while still maintaining its $10 million pledge to support it.

In 2024 a partnership was formed with the YMCA of Northern Sky based in Fargo, which will bring community-specific programming — roughly 50,000 free meals a year for youth and seniors, 100 child care slots and access to the facility regardless of income — to Bemidji's Rail Corridor all while owning and operating the facility.

Greater Bemidji Executive Director David Hengel presented an overall project recap and update to the council during Monday's meeting, and fielded a few questions from the councilors.

"We're cleaning up a contaminated site that's been in the heart of our community for many years," Hengel said in opening. "Revitalizing our downtown, already a vibrant downtown, grateful for all the work people are doing downtown, but this would be an additional jolt to our downtown area. This is in support of our history center and our veterans memorial folks who are both very excited about the project. This is improving our safety in the area.

"I'm confident that this is the best, most feasible project that has the greatest social and economic benefit that we can incur as a city."

The project comes at a cost of roughly $38 million. To fund the project, the city has secured two Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development grants to push the project forward, one for $902,082 and another for $590,000; Greater Bemidji will purchase the land at $500,000; and the city will contribute $992,000 for the cleanup and infrastructure.

Currently, $25 million of the total costs are being raised by Greater Bemidji through community giving. Presently, $19.5 million has been raised from just 20 donors, including the $10 million pledged by Sanford Health. The YMCA of Northern Sky will take responsibility for the remaining $10 million or so in estimated project costs.

Mayor Jorge Prince questioned what would happen if the funding goal was not met.

"I am confident we'll get to that $25 million," Hengel remarked, "can I guarantee we're going to get to 25? I really can't. But I don't think this project doesn't happen (if funding is not met), it just might be a little different."

Hengel elaborated that if funding is not met, he would want the YMCA of Northern Sky to voice what they would want to do, whether that is a smaller facility or something else. He then stated that over funding was a greater likelihood and if that happens, YMCA of Northern Sky will have more options to expand.

After hearing the proposal, the council thanked Greater Bemidji as some councilors spoke in favor of the project.

"What I see here is a $38 million project, and less than 2% of that investment comes from the city, that's a bargain," said Ward 5 Councilor Lynn Eaton. "I don't see any doubt at all to this project, and it's beneficial to the entire community. I'm looking forward to moving (this project) forward."

Prince echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the community.

"As I travel the community, I hear from a lot of citizens and I think the majority are excited about a YMCA, especially when we start talking about another 100 spots for child care," Prince said. "Then we start talking about 50,000 free meals for kids and seniors, the environmental cleanup of the site and obviously just the revitalization of the downtown area, those are all very serious benefits."

He also expressed his gratitude for all the work that has gone into pushing the project forward.

"I think (this project) came to us in my first year on the council," he added. "So, I think to have this proposal in front of us in this manner at this point is a testament to a lot of work that's been done by staff, by Greater Bemidji, by council, by just everybody that's been involved with YMCA."

Ward 2 Councilor Josh Peterson raised one poignant question: Would the city's nearly $1 million contribution constitute a tax levy or would property sales cover it?

"The scope that the staff has taken is that levy funds would not be used for this project," Hengel replied. "All of our funding sources are not levy-related."

Prince further clarified the levy concern.

"If there's any community concern that I've heard out there, it's 'Is it going to come back on the levy? Are we going to have a repeat of the Sanford Center?'" he said. "I don't think this project is anywhere near what the Sanford Center project (was)."

Hengel concluded by asking the council to take swift action in pushing the project forward as cleanup of the site could begin as early as this spring.

The council will welcome Greater Bemidji back during a February meeting to take official action on the project.

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Sanford Bemidji contends with uptick in influenza cases

Daltyn Lofstrom — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:31:24 GMT

BEMIDJI — Surpassing the halfway point and peak of a typical flu season, Sanford Health of Bemidji has experienced its own uptick in illnesses.

Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health shows that 26.2% of influenza laboratory tests in Minnesota came back positive for the week ending Jan. 11. Hospitalizations since the start of this year’s flu season totaled 2,716 with the most common strain being influenza A — a trend that the Bemidji area has followed.

“The most common thing that we’re seeing in the emergency department is influenza A,” Emergency Dr. Matthew Hallanger said. “We are seeing higher volumes in the emergency department and in the hospital compared to other years.”

For the week ending Jan. 4, positive lab tests came in at 22.1% with 1,763 hospitalizations in the state. The week ending Dec. 28, 2024, saw a 22.8% positivity rate and 536 hospitalizations.

While difficult to compare to the COVID years, Hallanger noted this flu season as “particularly bad” compared to pre-COVID flu seasons.

“The number of hospitalizations for influenza cases is the highest that we’ve seen since 2019,” he said, “so this has been the worst influenza year that we’ve seen in quite some time.”

Amidst Minnesota being classified as a high-activity state for influenza by the Center for Disease Control, Hallanger pointed to other viral illnesses that occasionally crop up at Sanford including COVID-19.

“We are seeing other illnesses that are causing people to get quite sick, as well,” he added. “I would say between a quarter and a half of our patients, on any given day, are here because they have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and the most common finding is that they are positive for influenza A.”

A major factor of the early-January peak is students heading back to school after the holidays. Seasonal visitor restrictions have been in place at Sanford Bemidji and Sanford Bagley Medical Centers, which dictate the number of visitors allowed per patient among other logistics.

The hospital has seen an ongoing flu positivity rate greater than 30%, causing the implementation of the visitor restrictions. Once the positivity rate falls below 30% for two consecutive weeks, restrictions may be lifted.

With anticipation that the number of new cases will decline in the near future, Hallanger emphasized several preventative measures aimed at reducing transmission of flu-like illnesses. Such measures are especially important for vulnerable populations including children less than 1 year old, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

“A lot of preventing transmission is the kind of advice that our elders gave us when we were younger,” Hallanger said. “If you’re sick, getting some rest would be good and limit your exposure to other people.”

Hallanger also encouraged the use of face masks in public as well as covering one’s cough, frequent hand-washing and getting vaccinated.

“Our flu season is roughly half over, so we still have the second half to go,” Hallanger left off. “We may be at or near our peak, but it’s not too late to get an influenza vaccine or an updated COVID shot to protect yourself for the rest of the respiratory illness season.”

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Mississippi Music board donates $3,000 to Sanford Health Mobile Mammography Unit

Pioneer Staff Report — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 17:00:00 GMT

Members of Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront recently donated $3,000 to the Sanford Health Foundation in support of its fundraising for a new 3D Mobile Mammography Unit.

This first phase for mobile mammography in the Bemidji region will include Walker, Bagley, Blackduck, Cass Lake and Park Rapids, with additional locations to be added later.

Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront is a free summer concert series that began in 2016.

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