Make a difference in the lives of patients, families, and staff by volunteering at Essentia Health-Fargo. Our volunteers are a vital part of everyday life here. We’ll work with you to find something that fits your talents and interests.

Volunteer Opportunities

Explore volunteer opportunities at our hospital and select clinics, including:

• Help desk (Greet guests and answer questions.)
• Department specific help (Cancer Center, medical/surgical, ER, NICU)
• Escorting patients or concierge
• Wig room
• Peer mentorship
• Mailings and special office projects
• Piano playing
• And more (Just inquire!)

Benefits of Volunteering

Besides the great feeling you’ll get by helping others, you can also take advantage of:

• Coupons for Harvest Grill or Starbucks®
  • A $3.50 coupon for shifts under four hours
  • Two $3.50 coupons for shifts over four hours
• Free flu shot
• Orientation and training
• Special recognition events
• Partner perks (Get discounts at select local businesses by showing your badge.)

Meet the leaders of Essentia Health-Fargo.

Management

• Dr. Mark Thompson, MD, President
• Al Hurley, Chief Operating Officer
• Richard Vetter, MD, Chief Medical Officer

Board of Directors

• Laurie Lewandowski
• Joel Haugen, MD
• Robert Wroblewski, MD
• Sister Beverly Horn
• Robert Overmoe
• Jerry Rogers, MD
• Jim Christensen, MD
• Mark Cooper, MD
• Tim Heilman
• Arrick Jackson, PhD
• Dr. Mark Thompson, MD

Previously known as Dakota Clinic and Innovis Health, Essentia Health-Fargo has a long history in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Over the years, our team has continued to focus on teamwork and promoting good health and healing.

History Timeline

1926 | Dakota Clinic is founded through a physician partnership consisting of 10 employees. The main forerunners are Dr. Kent Darrow, Dr. Frank Darrow, Dr. Paul Burton, Dr. William Long, and Dr. Ralph Weible. The original clinic building is housed at 702 1st Avenue South, just northwest of Island Park in downtown Fargo.
1957 | The South University clinic opens its doors. The building continues to expand throughout the 1960s.
1963 | The new 80-bed Dakota Hospital on South University Drive opens.
1980 | The need for outreach clinics develops. Over the next 20 years, 21 clinics come to life. 
1998 | The concept of Innovis Health is formed through the efforts of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the physicians of Dakota Clinic.
2000 | The Innovis Health campus at 3000 32nd Avenue South opens its doors.
2008 | Innovis Health and Dakota Clinic begin their integration into the Essentia Health System, an affiliation of the Benedictine and SMDC health systems. The clinic and hospital join under one name to become Innovis Health, LLC.
2010 | Essentia fully integrates its health systems to create efficiencies and reduce health care costs. The Innovis Health hospital is renamed Essentia Health-Fargo.