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900 Hilligoss Blvd SE Fosston, Minnesota 56542
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Essentia Health-FosstonParking & Entrance Information
To reach our emergency room, park by our north entrance that faces Hilligoss Boulevard SE. Our signs will help direct you. For other hospital services, use the main entrance with the covered drop-off area facing Sather Drive.
Patient Information
Explore our patients and visitors section to find information about billing, financial assistance, medical records, patient rights and responsibilities, and more.
Facility Overview
Come to Essentia Health-Fosston for personalized care if you live in Fosston or the surrounding area. We’re a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital. We treat our patients like we’d treat our own family and friends. Our medical providers may even know you because many of them live in town.Get more of the care you need close to home, including 24-hour emergency care. You’ll find us attached to the Essentia Health-Fosston Clinic. We’re also next to the Essentia Health Living Center and Prairie Pines Community. Whether you’re in Bagley, Mahnomen, Oklee, or another city near Fosston, we’re here for you.
Hospital Services
Whether you need a little help along the road to recovery or around-the-clock medical care, Fosston hospital is here for you. Get healing support near you from a knowledgeable team of medical professionals who offer:
Not finding what you're looking for? Find other services and specialties at a location near you.
Services may be provided by a visiting medical provider who sees patients here on a limited basis.
Services may be provided here via a secure video chat with an off-site medical provider.
Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Hospital Services
If you have a test or procedure performed at a hospital but are not admitted, you’re an outpatient. Common outpatient procedures may include X-rays, labs, and emergency room visits. If your doctor admits you to the hospital for an overnight stay, you’re typically an inpatient.One exception to this is if your doctor places you on observation status. In this case, you may stay overnight in the hospital but are still considered an outpatient. If you’re a Medicare patient, your status can affect your coverage. Visit Medicare.gov to learn more.
Charges for Hospital Services
We are committed to price transparency and provide a full list of services offered at this hospital and the related standard charges. A charge is defined as the dollar amount Essentia sets for a hospital service and does not include any discounts negotiated with insurance companies.
24/7 Emergency Room
If you or a loved one have a severe or life-threatening medical concern, rely on our 24-hour emergency room. Fosston hospital has an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital designation. Rest easy knowing life-saving support is as close as your local hospital.
Compliments & Complaints
If you’d like to share a compliment, concern, or suggestion, please contact our administrator, Callen Weispfennig. You can also fill out our online compliments and complaints form.
Support Our Hospital
Have you been inspired by the care you or a loved one received? Support your local hospital and clinic by donating to the First Care Medical Services Foundation. The Foundation provides financial support to Essentia Health-Fosston with help from patients and family members like you.
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Amenities
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Volunteer
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Leadership
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History
Whether you’re a patient or a visitor, we want you to feel welcome. Enjoy our onsite amenities, including:
Cafeteria
Get hot lunch and dinner entrees seven days a week and salad bar Monday through Friday. You’ll find our cafeteria between our long-term care center and the hospital. We also deliver meals to hospital rooms for visitors by request.Cafeteria Hours
Lunch 12 – 1:30 pm daily
Dinner 5:15 – 6:30 pm daily
Gift & Flower Area
Pick up fresh flowers and books at Essentia Health-Fosston. Visit the reception desk in the hospital. Our volunteer greeters will be happy to help you.
Courtyard
Relax in our outdoor seating area. This peaceful space is great for getting some fresh air and sunshine.
Guest Wi-Fi
Take advantage of free guest Wi-Fi.
Volunteers at Essentia Health-Fosston make a healthy difference in the lives of others. Help our patients, visitors, and staff by sharing your time and talents.
Volunteer Opportunities
Explore hospital volunteer opportunities where you can:
- Staff the main lobby hospitality desk
- Organize special events and fundraising projects
- Round to offer patients comfort items and assistance
- Make blankets, hats, or gift baskets for babies
- Maintain the courtyard and garden
- Do mailings and special office projects
- Help with maintenance
- Help in hospice (This area requires 10 hours of training, which we’ll provide.)
- And more (Just inquire!)
Benefits of Volunteering
Besides the great feeling you’ll get by helping others, you can also take advantage of:
- Free lunch or dinner in cafeteria
- Free coffee in cafeteria while volunteering
- Free flu shot
- Annual recognition event
- Flexible hours
- Orientation and training
Become a Volunteer
Want to learn more about volunteering at Essentia Health-Fosston? Contact volunteer services at 218-435-7629, email [email protected] , or fill out our adult online application below:
When you’re ready, we’ll guide you through screening and orientation. We’ll also set up a short meeting to match your interests and skills with the right volunteer opportunities. Then, we’ll place you with staff who will train you in your specific area.
Essentia Health of Fosston Volunteers (EHFV)
EHFV, previously Fosston Auxiliary, raises money for Essentia Health facilities in Fosston and provides community health awareness.EHFV members help with:
- Fundraising – 100 percent of funds raised go to special requests that improve care and comfort for patients and residents. Buying these items may not be possible otherwise. Funds also help create a scholarship for Essentia staff looking to further their education.
- Community Outreach – Members look for ways to offer health education in the community.
Meet the leaders of the Essentia Health-Fosston hospital.
Management
- Callen Weispfennig, Administrator
Board of Directors
- Robert Overmore, Chair
- Dean Anderson
- Roy Dufault
- Mark Finstad
- Jodi Quade
- Julie Sundquist
- Cheryl White, MD
For more than 100 years, Essentia Health-Fosston has improved the lives of people in northwest Minnesota by offering high-quality health care.
History Timeline
1897 | Mrs. C. J. Rosser starts a cooperative medical care facility to treat lumbermen who work in the area. Each lumberman pays 75 cents a month to maintain the hospital and get treated at no extra cost.
1898 | Dr. Rosser and his daughter, Rose, take over the hospital.
1899 | Dr. McKinnon reopens the hospital.
1900 | Dr. McKinnon and Dr. Gilmore build a new hospital at a cost of $5,000. It is a two-story building with 1,500 square feet on each floor.
1947 | A fund drive raises $40,000 to buy the hospital and convert it to a nonprofit hospital.
1952 | A bond issue is passed for $32,500 to build a $57,800 addition to the hospital.
1959 | The Hill Burton Act is passed. The federal government agrees to pay 45 percent of the cost of the facility in exchange for providing indigent care. A new bond is issued for $280,000 and passed to build a new hospital.
1961 | The new 39-bed municipal hospital opens.
1964 | A small skilled-nursing care unit is built, adding 14 beds to bring the total license to 53 beds.
1973 | A 50-bed nursing home is built and occupied. The hospital goes from 53 beds to 43.
1993 | The hospital and nursing home reorganize to become First Care Medical Services, a nonprofit facility, and no longer a municipal facility.
1997 | Construction in the nursing home adds bathrooms and activity and therapy areas. Oklee and Fosston clinics open.
1998 | The Wellness Center opens to the public. The facility features exercise equipment for strength training, muscle toning, and cardiovascular conditioning.
2001 | Renovation and addition of a CT Scanner in the radiology department advances diagnostic imaging.
2002 | Construction of $800,000 surgery center is completed.
2004 | Construction of the ambulance services and outpatient addition is completed for $3 million dollars.
2009 | First Care joins Essentia Health.
2010 | Innovis Health Clinic in Fosston becomes part of First Care Medical Services. A $6.1 million construction and remodeling project brings the hospital and clinic together. The project adds 5,700 square feet to the medical campus and remodels 15,000 square feet. The hospital is renamed Essentia Health-Fosston.