Donate
Contact Us
Careers
Pay a Bill
Get Care
MyChart
Essentia Health's commitment to Fosston
December 18, 2024 By: Louie St. George
Essentia remains committed to providing high-quality care in Fosston and retaining ownership of First Care Medical Services
In a letter sent to the City of Fosston today, Essentia Health and First Care Medical Services (FCMS) assert that the City does not have the authority to unilaterally terminate the 2009 affiliation agreement or force the transfer of FCMS to the City. Instead, it is Essentia's position that the City can only terminate its own participation in the affiliation agreement overseeing health care in the Fosston area.
As a result, Essentia accepts the City's Nov. 26 decision to remove itself from the affiliation agreement, while we continue to own and operate FCMS, which includes the Fosston hospital, nursing home and neighboring clinics.
As always, we remain committed to providing excellent local health care, and patients should not expect to see any operational changes despite the City's action.
Essentia responds to City of Fosston's "notice to terminate"
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, Essentia Health responded to the City of Fosston's late-November announcement about terminating its affiliation agreement with Essentia.
In a letter to the City, Essentia and First Care Medical Services (FCMS) reinforced our belief that the City doesn't have the authority to unilaterally terminate the 2009 agreement or force the transfer of FCMS to the City. Instead, we believe the City can only terminate its own participation in the affiliation agreement overseeing health care in the Fosston area.
READ ESSENTIA’S LETTER TO THE CITY OF FOSSTON
Complete arbitration panel ruling
In September 2024, a neutral arbitration panel ruled that Essentia Health is meeting the requirements of our 2009 affiliation agreement with the City of Fosston. As a result, the panel noted that "the City does not have the right to terminate the Affiliation Agreement or compel the transfer of Essentia's interest in First Care (Medical Services) to the City."
The panel also determined that Essentia has continued to provide comprehensive care and services in Fosston.
The ruling ensured that Essentia will continue to operate the hospital, clinic and nursing home in Fosston, as well as clinics in Bagley and Oklee.
READ THE ARBITRATION PANEL'S COMPLETE RULING
Statement from Essentia Health
Here is a statement from Essentia Health regarding the City of Fosston's announcement on Nov. 26 that elected officials voted to terminate the city's affiliation agreement with Essentia:
"We have received notice that elected officials with the City of Fosston voted this morning to terminate the city’s affiliation agreement with Essentia Health. Essentia, like many members of the public, was unaware of this special meeting. We are reviewing the notice to determine our next steps.
We do not believe the city has the right to terminate the affiliation agreement. A neutral arbitration panel in September ruled in Essentia’s favor, affirming our longstanding belief that we have operated within the requirements of the 2009 agreement with the city. The panel also ruled that the city didn’t have the right to terminate the agreement.
This is another distraction from the important work of advancing health care in Fosston. As it has throughout this process, that will remain our focus — to provide the best care we can for patients across this region."
Essentia Health holding annual tree walk and angel fundraiser for hospice
This holiday season, Essentia Health-Fosston will host its 20th annual Tree Walk for Hospice from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. Open to all ages, this community event will be held at Magelssen Elementary School at 700 First St. E. in Fosston.
Angel tree ornaments — a pair of angel wings — will also be available for purchase in honor or memory of a loved one. The suggested donation is $10 per ornament. Ornaments can also be mailed and will be available while supplies last.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY EVENT AND FUNDRAISER
From the Fargo Forum — October 2024
Letter: The future of health care in Fosston
Dr. Stefanie Gefroh writes about arbitration between the city of Fosston and Essentia Health.
READ THE FULL LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Essentia Health welcomes two new Fosston providers
Dr. Amanda Jackson-Morgan, who specializes in family medicine, is excited to join the Essentia Health-Fosston Clinic.
"I wanted to practice at Essentia Health-Fosston so I could continue to practice full-spectrum rural family medicine," explained Dr. Jackson-Morgan. "I enjoy working in all aspects of patient care — clinic, hospital and OB. The welcoming and supportive community was also an important factor in choosing to come to Fosston."
READ MORE ABOUT DR. JACKSON-MORGAN
Breah Christianson, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner specializing in emergency medicine, is excited to join Essentia Health-Fosston.
"I did my nurse practitioner clinicals within the Essentia system and enjoyed how things worked and the providers I worked with," said Christianson. "I enjoy the values that guide Essentia."
READ MORE ABOUT BREAH CHRISTIANSON
Community health impact survey seeks input from Fosston area
Every three years, Essentia Health and all nonprofit health systems in Minnesota conduct Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) in collaboration with the communities we serve.
Through the Community Health Needs Assessment process, we work together with community partners to pursue shared goals that will make a meaningful impact and a healthy difference beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics. That process is about to begin in Fosston and the surrounding area.
We invite the public to participate in the Fosston area community health survey now through Oct. 31. It is available online in both English and Spanish at Fosston Community Health Needs Assessment Survey.
Arbitration panel rules in favor of Essentia Health — September 2024
An arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Essentia Health in its dispute with the City of Fosston.
The neutral panel of arbitrators has shared its decision, affirming our position that we have operated the Fosston hospital within the requirements of the affiliation agreement we signed with the City in 2009. The arbitration hearing occurred in the middle of July.
This ruling means that Essentia will continue to operate the hospital, clinic, assisted-living and long-term care facilities in Fosston, as well as clinics in Bagley and Oklee.
"Now that the arbitration process is over, Essentia is focused on the opportunity to engage our patients, colleagues and the community in building a shared vision for the future of health care in Fosston," said Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, interim president of Essentia Health's West Market. "We look forward to working with city leaders in support of that objective and for the patients we're honored to serve."
This dispute has brought new awareness to the many challenges faced by rural health care providers. As leaders in rural health care, Essentia is committed to ensuring patients have high-quality, compassionate care as close to home as possible.
Statement from Essentia Health
Here is a statement from Essentia Health on Friday, July 19, regarding misinformation being shared by the City of Fosston and Mayor Jim Offerdahl:
"It is unfortunate that the mayor continues to provide misinformation to the public. Essentia Health will remain in Fosston and operate the hospital if we are successful in arbitration. This announcement by the City of Fosston is premature, as there has been no ruling by the arbitration panel. The panel will collect information through Friday (July 19), after which it has 60 days to issue a ruling. Essentia will respectfully await the panel's decision.
Essentia's commitment to Fosston is unwavering. Our valued professionals continue to provide expert and compassionate care for the patients in this community we are honored to serve."
Community discussion insights — spring/summer 2024
Essentia Health would like to stay in Fosston and is working in good faith through the arbitration process that begins with the city in July.
Every day, Essentia Health-Fosston serves people with diverse health care needs. As we discuss the future of care locally, Essentia believes all voices deserve to be heard and respected.
From the Fargo Forum — July 2024
Letter: Essentia Health wants to stay in the Fosston community
The future of health care in Fosston is in the hands of a three-judge arbitration panel that will hear testimony this month from Essentia Health and the city of Fosston.
READ THE FULL LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A letter to our community — June 2024
Every day, Essentia Health-Fosston serves people with many health care needs. As the future of care in Fosston is discussed, we’re engaging the community to ensure all voices are heard, understood and valued.
Essentia would like to stay in Fosston and continue providing high-quality care for the community. We understand the dispute with the City of Fosston raises many questions and concerns. Essentia is working through arbitration, which will occur in early July.
A letter to our community — April 2024
Since 2009, Essentia Health has been the main provider of health care in Fosston and the surrounding area. Because of our deep roots here, we want to share our thoughts and hear from you about the future of care in this community.
First and foremost, Essentia does not want to leave Fosston. Caring for our community is Essentia's top priority. We will continue to provide the high-quality health care our patients expect and deserve, even now during the city’s desire to enter into arbitration and take back First Care Medical Services as owned and operated by Essentia Health, which includes the hospital, nursing home and clinics in Fosston, Bagley and Oklee.
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune — February 2024
Counterpoint: Why Essentia is adjusting baby delivery services in northwestern Minnesota
The discontinuation or relocation of hospital services has made headlines across the state. Those conversations are often accompanied by assertions that finances are the only factor driving these decisions.
A focus on specialty services in Fosston
Share additional feedback by emailing [email protected].