Essentia Health highlights legacy of St. Mary’s Medical Center through community giving as demolition reaches final phase

As Essentia Health ushered in a new era of health care in the Northland with the completion of the brand-new St. Mary's Medical Center in 2023, it marked the beginning of the end of the former hospital. Almost two years later, demolition of the legacy St. Mary's was recently completed – but the spirit of giving remains.

While moving down the Hillside a couple blocks, Essentia donated countless supplies to community-based organizations across the region and even internationally. From office supplies at Denfeld High School to medical equipment for Duluth firefighters and office furniture at nonprofits serving vulnerable community members, supplies and equipment from the former St. Mary’s Medical Center are being put to good use across the communities Essentia serves.

“It is special to have the legacy of the former St. Mary’s Medical Center live on in our communities through these donations,” said Luke Eastep, Essentia Health’s facilities technology manager. “This allowed us to reduce waste and support the work of our amazing community partners who are making a healthy difference.”

“We want to thank [Essentia Health] for the donation of equipment and supplies … which has helped us with our operational costs and also helped us achieve our sustainability goals of keeping things out of the landfill,” said Deputy Chief Mike Consie with the Duluth Fire Department.

Essentia staff worked diligently over the course of the last two years to identify opportunities for re-using the equipment and supplies with the overarching goals of supporting community partners and reducing waste as a result of the demolition.

Donations included:

• Rural health care clinics in Ghana: A donation of nursing and lab supplies, hundreds of blankets and PPE gear and operating lights.
• Essentia Duluth Heritage Center: More than 100 furnace filters, carts, light fixtures, office furniture and supplies, cleaning supplies and a band saw.
• Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center: Four air compressors, refrigerants, an air dryer, tool cart, door locks and boiler pump parts.
• Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity: File cabinets and office furniture.
• Chum: Sofas, tables, sleeper chairs, desks, shelving and carts.
• Denfeld High School: Furniture, lockers, file cabinets and other supplies.
• Duluth Fire Department: Office supplies, medical equipment, cabinets, desks and shelving used to support operations at eight fire stations around the city. Additionally, before the building was taken down, the Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Police Department both used the space to conduct various types of training and simulations. This training was described as “invaluable” by the fire department.

VIDEO AVAILABLE: Community members — including the Duluth Fire Department, DECC and Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity — highlight Essentia Health contributions here.