Essentia Health-Ada’s roots go over 90 years deep. Learn about our commitment to offering quality health care to rural areas in northwestern Minnesota. View our history timeline.

History Timeline

1926 | The Norman County Memorial Hospital Association is organized by local businessmen. Donations are sought to finance a hospital project, and 2,000 shares are sold for $25 each. A large house at 601 West Main Street is rented for the new Norman County Hospital. The facility has 10 beds. 1942 | More than 3,000 people attend the grand opening of the new Ada Municipal Hospital. Constructed with funding from two city bond issues, it features 30 beds, two operating rooms, an X-ray, lab and a standby generator. 1964 | A new 31-bed hospital building is constructed, financed by a $70,000 donation from John Wimmer, along with money from the Hills-Burton Fund and a city bond issue. The new hospital is connected to the old building, which is converted to a 26-bed convalescent and nursing care unit. 1966 | Wimmer donates an additional $70,000 to increase the capacity of the nursing home by 28 beds.1968 | Wimmer gives another gift of $80,000 to the city to be used for the construction of a medical clinic. 1991 | Norman County Commissioners, Ada City Council, and Ada Municipal Hospital Board reach an agreement for the hospital to take over the operation of the Norman County Ambulance Service with a county subsidy to help fund it. At the same time, a name change is approved and Ada Municipal Hospital becomes Bridges Medical Services.1997 | Record flooding in the region destroys the hospital, clinic, and nursing home, causing the evacuation of all patients and residents. The Bridges Clinic reopens in a matter of days, first in a mobile home, then at the American Legion Post. By the end of the year, a temporary facility is opened with an eight-bed hospital, clinic, emergency room, outpatient procedure room, lab, X-ray, and physical therapy departments.2000 | The new $15-million city-owned Bridges Medical Services opens, receiving a prestigious design award for its large commons areas, outdoor courtyard, unique room design, and skylights.2004 | The Benedictine Health System takes over management of the hospital. The name is changed from Bridges Medical Services to Bridges Medical Center.2004 | Essentia Health is formed as the governance body for the St. Mary’s/Duluth Clinic and Benedictine health systems. Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics is created to better organize Essentia’s community hospitals and assure rural communities access to the resources of the larger Essentia Health System.2008 | Bridges Medical Center and Bridges Care Community become separate entities managed by ECHC and BHS, respectively.2010 | Essentia fully integrates its health systems to create efficiencies and reduce health care costs. Bridges Medical Center is renamed Essentia Health-Ada.