North Shore Health, Cook County

08/29/2025

September 2025 Care Center Activities Calendar

Fall Fun!

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

08/28/2025

Sharing this WTIP article/interview with CEO Administrator Kimber Wraalstad and Board Chair Randy Wiitala:

North Shore Health board vote to raise levy in 2026.

This piece also addresses the purchase of the “Bunkhouse”, the strategic plan, the purchase of new radiology equipment, recent surveys, recognition and the upcoming Pain Management program.

https://wtip.org/north-shore-health-board-vote-to-raise-levy-in-2026/

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

The North Shore Health hospital board voted unanimously to raise the Cook County levy by 15% in 2026, an increase of $284,625. The board discussed the levy during its August meeting at the Schaap Community Center on the Gunflint Trail. The increase was the highest of the options presented to the boa...

08/27/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Shore Health Board Determines 2026 Tax Levy

GRAND MARAIS, MN, August 27, 2025 – During their August 21, 2025, meeting, the board of directors of North Shore Health unanimously voted a $284,625 or 15% increase to the hospital district property tax levy in 2026. The funds raised help to bridge the costs of providing essential medical services that Medicare, Medicaid and other insurances do not adequately cover.

CFO Nicole Siegner presented a detailed financial report to the governing body providing them with a broad overview of the data necessary to make a decision on a levy percent. This included the total amount of revenue needed to operate and maintain the organization and provide necessary, specifically projected capital purchases and debt service. Siegner also provided an estimate of the amount of tax increase each Cook County property owner would pay.

For property valued at: $100,000
estimated increase in annual property tax: $5.93

For property valued at: $200,000
estimated increase in annual property tax: $15.93

For property valued at: $300,000
estimated increase in annual property tax: $26.02

For property valued at: $400,000
estimated increase in annual property tax: $36.02

For property valued at: $500,000
estimated increase in annual property tax: $46.12

The levy is an ongoing investment in preserving and enhancing health care access for everyone in our region. North Shore Health relies on the continued support of property owners now more than ever as it prepares for expected cuts to reimbursement and grant monies from Federal and State healthcare programs.

To that end, we at North Shore Health want to thank all in Cook County for caring about others and helping to ensure that we continue to have vital health care services and emergency care for all of our hospital district residents and visitors.

For more information about NSH, please visit www.northshorehealthgm.org.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

#2026

08/26/2025

Sharing this Press Release on behalf of Wilderness Health.

Option for rapid access to mental health therapy introduces therapist Julie Soderberg

Julie Soderberg MSW, LICSW

(Two Harbors, Minn.) -- People across the Northland are waiting several months for their first therapy appointment. Wilderness Health has worked with its member hospitals and consultants at Digital Health Innovation to cut wait times and meet the needs of patients. Now, therapist Julie Soderberg joins the Ambulatory Therapy and Diagnostic Assessment program and accepts many health plans, including several commercial plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Specializing in relationship issues, women's issues, trauma/PTSD, abuse, chronic pain management, and adoption, Julie uses simple, body-based techniques to calm the nervous system and create lasting change. She also specializes in system navigation and caregiver support, which helps individuals, families, and caregivers find and access the appropriate mental health services and resources. This involves identifying needs, addressing barriers to care, and connecting people with the right support.
With over 25 years of experience, Julie helps people heal, grow, and feel more at ease in their own skin. "Whether I'm working with a child learning to trust again, an adult processing grief, or a family rebuilding relationships, I am driven by the privilege of witnessing transformation. I value the therapeutic relationship as a partnership—walking alongside clients as they rediscover their strengths and write new chapters for their lives."

The program has an easy-to-use platform that allows you to select a trusted mental health provider who can provide telehealth visits in Minnesota. Adults and children are welcome! Patients can view the in-network health plans, available times, and special areas of interest for each provider.

Referral options are available for diagnostic assessments, short-term therapy, or long-term therapy. Short-term therapy can fill the gap until patients are able to get into another local practice, get a learning plan in place at school, or address short term goals they may have.

Our program is currently available at Duluth, Ely, and Grand Marais locations. Rural sites include Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital and North Shore Health. Talk with your doctor or hospital for more information.

HRSA Funding Acknowledgement – Care Navigation program activities and materials produced by WH are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,188,000 with 10% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

About Wilderness Health- a non-profit collaborative of independent providers working together to improve rural health care in Northeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Headquartered in Two Harbors since 2013, Wilderness Health aims to create a unified and supportive network for its members through its core values of collaboration, independence, networking, and quality.

Wilderness Health Members:
Aspirus Lake View
Aspirus St. Luke’s
Bigfork Valley Hospital
Community Memorial Hospital
Cook Hospital
Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
Fairview Range / Range Regional Health Services
Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital
Aspirus Lake View
North Shore Health
Aspirus St. Luke’s
For more information visit www.wildernesshealthmn.org.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

08/20/2025

Here is the new NSH Call For Artists.
Please share with your artist friends, family and associates.

Note: We also are encouraging High School students to submit their work for this exhibit.

For questions and to submit work, contact Todd.Ford@northshorehealthgm.org

08/08/2025

GETTING TO KNOW NORTH SHORE HEALTH

Continuous Quality Improvement in Healthcare and the Legend of the Quality Ninjas

By Jason Yuhas, CG(ASCP)CM, Quality Improvement Coordinator, North Shore Health

Regulatory agencies, and best-practice standards, require that healthcare institutions have continuous quality improvement plans in place. This plan, primarily focused on improving high-volume and high-impact patient care, ensures that we continually improve our processes and regularly create new systems to improve our practice. These process improvements are required across all aspects of North Shore Health (NSH) services. NSH typically maintains more than 20 active quality improvement initiatives, many of which have evolved into additional projects through the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) methodology.

North Shore Health has been fortunate to be recognized for our quality improvement initiatives over the past several years. While wandering through NSH’s public areas, you might notice distinguished recognitions from the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) and the Superior Health Quality Alliance prominently displayed. These accolades could not have been possible without the quality-focused projects completed by the leadership and staff at NSH. We continue to work to bring the highest quality care to our patients and residents through our ever-improving processes and attention to quality improvement. These changes take serious effort and a keen eye to establish the best ways to do things differently to continually improve.

The Legend of the Quality Ninjas

As I learned from one of my educational mentors, and through my own ongoing learning in leadership practice, positive reinforcement generates the greatest return when fostering positive change. This is where the legend of the quality ninjas began at NSH.

The family of quality ninjas, and their legacy, began decades ago in the Zhejiang district of mainland China. These ninjas travel by surface (no airfare) to help us recognize the quality improvements performed at NSH. Though small (2 inches) and diverse in color (RYOGBV), they award pioneers of quality change with their guarded presence at their offices, desks, or work areas. Once the ninja arrives, their picture is taken and their location (and the quality improvement that initiated its arrival) is presented at a quality improvement committee meeting. Additional quality improvement ninjas may be awarded for new quality initiatives and proven, data-driven improvements. Thus far, 19 quality ninjas have found their forever homes with many more making the quality pilgrimage for quality improvement projects currently underway.

In March of 2025, I (the NSH Quality Sensei) was awarded the largest green quality ninja for my efforts in establishing the quality ninja program at NSH.

Archy, the largest green quality ninja, attends quality improvement committee meetings and helps to inspire continued quality improvements at NSH.

For more information, visit: https://www.northshorehealthgm.org. Stay tuned for future informative Getting to Know North Shore Health articles published monthly in the Cook County News Herald.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

08/01/2025

Reunions

“That’s the fun of going to a high school reunion: its seeing the people who you were close to all those years ago, and re-exploring the relationships of the past.”

Jon Hurwitz

“I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul remembering my good friends”

William Shakespeare

My brother Charlie and I attended our 50 year high school reunion in Green Bay, Wisconsin recently. It was quite a special event. A small committee driven by one dedicated classmate rounded up 265 of our 475 classmates. The memoriam was solemn as more than 100 of our classmates had passed away.

Our name tags had our high school graduation photos on them and it was remarkable how we had changed and stayed the same over the years. Since we were a class of almost 500 people, it was easy to say, “Oh, I don’t think we knew each other very well.” Then we would study our photos and remember that in fact we had classes together or were both in the band. Our large group was defined by many small groups.

When a new resident, staff person, or volunteer becomes part of the care center family, there are often surprising reunions. I have been able to re-unite with friends from the last century that I have not seen in a long while. One friend and I recognized each other, but honestly cannot remember how we became friends; it always makes us laugh when we try to figure it out.

Another good friend was near the end of her life when I entered her room to clean it as her housekeeper. She recognized me and held out her hand. I was wise enough to take off my cleaning glove and hold her hand for a few minutes. It was a quiet moment of grace for both of us and I am grateful for it.

A little girl grew up to become a nurse and now takes care of a close friend of her family. The friend remembers fondly the years of watching the little girl grow up. We are a small community and often have personal and family connections between us. It adds layers of kindness and history to the family feeling here at the care center.

Music

“To live is to be musical, starting with the blood dancing in your veins.

Everything living has a rhythm. Do you feel your music?” – Michael Jackson

“You are the music while the music lasts.” – T. S. Eliot

Our Music Man Tom Novotny hosted a special Happy Hour this month. Some members of his family were able to join us for the event, including his baby grandson Yves. It is remarkable how a baby changes the energy of a room, all eyes and attention were on the child. Yves has a sweet nature and expressive face; he is also a good dancer and favors the polkas. He makes everyone smile.

Our summer has been filled with music thanks to our dedicated volunteers: The Portage Band, Tom Novotny, The Sing A Long Group: Marsha, LaVona, Linda, Ken, Tammie, and others, Piano Man Doug Sanders, Piano Man Chris Gillis, and Harpist Susan McCormick. Thank you to everyone!

-- Jean Marie Modl

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

07/30/2025

Forgot or Ran Out of Your Meds?

We Want to Help You Avoid Complications

Please remember your meds when away from home. In case you forgot or ran out while in Cook County, here is what to do. Contact your healthcare provider and have them send a “vacation supply” to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, then get your prescription refilled at SMC Pharmacy. If SMC is closed, the North Shore Health Emergency Department can help (med-only) if the medication is in stock.

For more information, call Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Pharmacy at 218-387-2330 or North Shore Health Emergency Department at 218-387-3040.

In case of emergency, call 911.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

07/21/2025

Thank you Flavia Alvarez Maldonado for representing NSH at the Brain Health Fair on Saturday, July 19!

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

07/18/2025

North Shore Health has received the Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Bronze achievement award.

Rural Acute Stroke Composite Score Criteria: At least 75% Compliance.

Rural Get With The Guidelines Awards recognize hospitals that work in rural areas. The measures are focused on a unique set of performance metrics related to the rural setting.

Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to the latest scientific treatment guidelines.

The North Shore Health staff are passionate about providing quality care and their achievement is making a positive impact on people in Cook County.

Heart Association

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

07/17/2025

Please join us in congratulating Troy Batchelor, NSH Director of Nursing – Hospital! Troy has been awarded the NRHA Rural Hospital CNO Certification. We are all proud of you and appreciate your leadership, Troy!

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org