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At Sanford Health, we take pride in serving our community. Every three years, our provides us with a roadmap to better understand the challenges facing the Bemidji area and to align our strategy and investments with the community’s most pressing health priorities.

In December 2023, we conducted a survey of community members in Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard Counties. We also conducted a separate survey for Clearwater and Mahnomen Counties. Thank you to everyone who shared your feedback with us.

We have spent this past year working with the NDSU Center for Social Research analyzing survey results and meeting with local partners to assess the evolving needs of our community. The results highlighted both strengths we can build upon and needs that require our attention, including affordable health care, mental health services and support for healthy living.

One of the most striking takeaways from the CHNA was the range of challenges our residents face in accessing affordable health care. Despite survey respondents in the Bemidji area rating their own ability to access health care as good, several other concerns came up, including a lack of providers in their community and transportation issues.

Over two-thirds of respondents reported needing to travel outside of their community for health care within the last three years. To help address this, we are focusing efforts to assist patients with health disparities as they navigate the health care system to prevent duplicate visits and unnecessary travel.

We’re building expanded telehealth services, to allow residents to connect with providers without the added burden of travel expense. At the forefront of our strategy is clinician recruitment and retention which includes collaboration with Sanford Health in Fargo.

Mental health continues to be a key concern for our community. Bemidji area residents experience more mentally unhealthy days per month than other similar-sized markets, and the suicide rate is among the highest in the state.

In response, we are prioritizing the expansion of our behavioral health services. This includes hiring more mental health providers, integrating mental health screenings into primary care visits and increasing community education about recognizing and addressing mental health challenges. Our goal is to ensure that mental health support is as accessible and normalized as care for physical illnesses.

Chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart disease are a significant concern for our community. The CHNA revealed that 35% of adults in the Bemidji area self-identify as obese, and access to healthy food remains a barrier for many families.

To combat these issues, we are launching a Healthy Living Initiative that will focus on nutrition education and community fitness programs to increase access to fresh, affordable produce. We are also exploring the potential for a mobile mammography unit to bring 3D mammography screenings to underserved areas.

We are working with community partners to expand capacity for childcare. For families, we announced the opening of Pine Pals Nest this fall in collaboration with local childcare provider, Pine Pals. The new facility prioritizes affordability and extended hours to accommodate shift workers.

Community transportation was rated among the lowest-scoring issues in our survey. A total of 77% of survey respondents shared that they needed to travel for specialty care that was not available in their own town. With limited public transportation options, many residents struggle to access work, health care and other essential services.

Within our organization, we are specifically working to address travel concerns and the needs of patients who may need transportation to and from appointments.

As we move forward, it’s important to recognize that building a healthier community is not something Sanford Health can accomplish alone. It requires collaboration across sectors—schools, businesses, local and tribal governments and community organizations.

Every step we take together, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier, more vibrant community. The challenges are significant, but so is our resolve. The findings of our CHNA have reinforced our commitment to being a trusted partner in health for all who call northern Minnesota home.

At Sanford Health, we believe that access to high-quality health care is a right, not a privilege. Over the next three years, our focus will remain on closing the gaps identified in the CHNA, expanding access to care and addressing the social determinants of health that have a profound impact on well-being.

Together, we can transform our community into a place where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your health care journey. Let’s keep working together to build a brighter, healthier future for the Bemidji area.

Karla Eischens, RPh, is the President and CEO of Sanford Health’s Bemidji region located in northern Minnesota. She can be reached at (218) 333-5264 or  karla.eischens@sanfordhealth.org.