Cook County residents scheduling appointments at St. Mary’s-Duluth Clinic (SMDC) in recent weeks may have been surprised at the new telephone greeting, “Essentia Health, Duluth Clinic.” Patients need not be alarmed. According to SMDC spokesperson Kim Kaiser the new name should not impact day-to-day interaction between patients and caregivers. Kaiser said Essentia Health symbolizes the consolidation of numerous health care facilities in a four-state region and will benefit patients in the long-term.
In a press release, Kaiser explained, “Thirteen thousand healthcare workers are uniting in a common purpose—to revolutionize the process of delivering high-quality, highvalue health care in rural communities. They are all employees of the new Essentia Health, based in Duluth.”
Formerly the parent company of four health systems, Essentia Health now brings together 17 hospitals, 62 clinics and 750 physicians into a single organization. “This exciting transition will take us from a ‘system of systems’ to one unified organization,” explains Dr. Peter Person, CEO of Essentia Health. “By working together, we can do an even better job providing health care that delivers real value to the families and communities we serve.”
Kaiser said that changes evident to the patients will be “minimal,” but said streamlining operations will create efficiencies and reduce health care costs. She said all Essentia Health physicians will be backed by the extensive member organizations and will be able to share their expertise.
Other changes will be more visible, as member organizations take the name Essentia and leave behind the familiar names of Innovis, Brainerd Lakes and SMDC.
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