North Shore Health, Cook County

10/31/2025

North Shore Living
October 2025 Newsletter
Jean Marie Modl

October has been a month of music and movement at North Shore Living, the Care Center. BINGO and POKENO games give our week structure and routine, but it is the live music and movement that residents really look forward to each day.

Cellist Wilhelmina Smith graced our Care Center with beautiful music early this month. Funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts, Wilhelmina performed music by Victoria Yagling, a Finnish woman of Ukrainian, Russian, and Jewish heritage. Yagling lived from 1946 to 2011 and was recently rediscovered by Finnish publisher Fennica Gehrman. The music was technically advanced and musically sophisticated. Melody was shared in bits and pieces. Wilhelmina encored with Bach. It was a very special performance.

We were treated to a special OKTOBERFEST Happy Hour with Tom Novotny this month. We enjoyed polka music from all over the world. Refreshments were tavern fare: bratwurst, pickles, corn chips, humus, cheese and crackers, plus a good light beer. The dark German beer was not a big hit with the residents last year so we tried Summit’s Extra Pale Ale this year and it was well received. A good time was had by all.
The Portage Band once again entertained us on a Friday evening at the Care Center. Take great music, add important personal connections and history, plus wonderful graceful movement, and you have a very special community event.

Daily Morning Stretches with colorful Styrofoam noodles have felt very good. These are chair exercises that stretch and flex different parts of the body from head to toe. Recently, a resident has been sharing music with the group which has added entertainment, rhythm, and surprise to our movement. On occasion, the nursing staff and dietary staff will surround our exercise circle with their own graceful movements and smiling faces.
We hope you had a great Halloween. We enjoyed treats, games, movies, carving pumpkins, and good company at the care center. We even had a special Happy Hour to celebrate Halloween.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

10/22/2025

North Shore Health EMS had the pleasure of working with Tofte Rescue on their EMR refresher certification course.

Emergency Medical Responders are required to renew their certification every two years to stay current with patient assessments, basic life support techniques, medical emergencies, trauma care, CPR, and field operations.

Great work to Tofte Rescue – thank you for your continued dedication to your community!

- Karla, Director of EMS

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

10/17/2025

Here is a link to a recent WTIP article and interview with NSH Board Chair Randy Wiitala, Consultant Matt Anderson and NSH CEO/Administrator Kimber Wraalstad.

Consultant helps North Shore Health Board navigate first year with new members

https://wtip.org/consultant-helps-north-shore-health-board-navigate-first-year-with-new-members/

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

During the March 20 North Shore Health Board meeting, Chair Randy Wiitala recommended contracting with Matt Anderson of Atrede Consulting to provide board governance coaching. Anderson, who had presented the previous month on the role of hospital boards, was already familiar to all members. Wiitala....

10/17/2025

GETTING TO KNOW NORTH SHORE HEALTH

Investing in Care: North Shore Health Purchases Bunkhouse to Support Staff Housing

By Meghan Flynn, Facility Education Coordinator

Finding affordable, reliable housing has long been one of the greatest challenges for professionals who want to work in Cook County. North Shore Health (NSH) has faced this barrier for years as it seeks to recruit and retain qualified staff to provide vital services in our community.

North Shore Health employs permanent staff who live in Cook County year-round; some of the permanent and casual employees live far away and need to stay near the hospital when on call, for inclement weather occasions and to fill in when coming to work for a stretch. Likewise, NSH relies on agency and casual employees to fill positions to provide essential services for Cook County residents. Nurses, aides, lab scientists, radiology techs and emergency responders travel long distances to bring their expertise to Cook County. Agency professionals rotate in on 13-week contracts, with some extending their time here for multiple assignments, though agency staff can only stay up to one year before leaving the area. These staff work year-round, ensuring consistent coverage across specialized services and stepping in where permanent staffing alone cannot meet demand.

This summer, NSH took a major step forward by purchasing the property known as the Bunkhouse at 120 W. 2nd Street in Grand Marais. The former Cavallin Funeral Home has been used for seasonal lodging for J-1 visa workers, and most recently served as a rental for international college students working summer jobs in the area and other area workers.

In July 2025, after a thorough inspection by then–NSH Facilities Director Jason Hofker and a detailed financial analysis by NSH CFO Nicole Siegner, the NSH Board of Directors approved the purchase for $380,000. An additional $30,000 was authorized to replace the roof shingles and address other maintenance needs. The expected closing is October 31, 2025.

The lack of affordable housing has made it difficult to attract and keep professionals. Many have struggled to find accommodations, especially during the busy tourist season. The Bunkhouse will directly address this challenge by providing convenient, transitional housing for agency and casual staff, making it easier for them to live and work in Grand Marais. In addition, NSH is actively recruiting family members of current employees from other countries, and the Bunkhouse will offer them a safe and welcoming place to stay as they begin their new lives in the United States. The Bunkhouse provides a stable housing option, reducing barriers to recruitment and helping NSH continue to provide high-quality care to the community.

The purchase was funded from NSH’s “Cash and Cash Equivalents” balance sheet line item — dollars not otherwise committed to capital priorities, ensuring that long-term planning remains intact. Ongoing costs will be built into the annual capital planning process, drawing from prior ownership data for realistic budgeting.

The Bunkhouse comes furnished, requires no zoning changes, and can be maintained with current NSH Facilities Department capacity. It will not be managed as an Airbnb or VRBO property. Instead, Human Resources and department leaders will determine occupancy based on staffing priorities, with a focus on temporary, transitional, and on-call personnel.

Strengthening the community

By investing in housing for health care workers, NSH is investing in the health and stability of the entire community. With improved access to housing, we can recruit and retain the staff necessary to sustain services such as emergency care, swing bed recovery, chemotherapy, colonoscopy clinics, and more.

As CFO Nicole Siegner noted in her financial review, the Bunkhouse purchase is “a cost-effective solution that aligns with NSH’s overall staffing strategy and reduces barriers to care.”

Looking ahead

The Bunkhouse is more than a building — it’s a commitment to ensuring that Cook County continues to have the staff, expertise, and stability needed to deliver quality health care close to home. By supporting our staff with stable housing, NSH can maintain services, keep more residents close to home during recovery, and provide a strong foundation for future recruitment and retention.

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

10/16/2025

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States according to the CDC. A mammogram can detect a problem before there is any outward physical sign. The CDC statistics also report that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed among women. Screenings and breast exams are a part of the early detection process.

National Mammography Day is important because it serves as a reminder and encouragement to women to get screened for breast cancer through receiving a mammogram. When detected early, in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 99%, and mammograms are key to the early detection of breast cancer.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org/diagnostic-imaging

10/15/2025

October is National Physical Therapy Month! We would like to take a moment to recognize the hard work and dedication our rehab staff bring to the community. We also like to have a little fun on occasion! Have you ever wondered what is going through your therapist's mind when working with them? Here is a little insight into the thought process of your interactions with your PT.

When you walk through the hospital, you might see the Physical Therapist walking with a patient down the hallway and from the outside it seems straight forward. But in the PT’s head, they are constantly assessing the person in front of them. Is the person a fall risk, what are the patients muscles/joints doing as they step, are there compensations present, what is the person’s stride length and does it change based on pain, weakness, or fatigue? Can the person complete the course of walking while talking? Indicating that their brain has the ability to complete two tasks as once, which might mean they are safe to navigate independently or will they need extra help at home? Are the person’s lungs able to handle the duration of walking, can the lungs handle walking and expend the energy to talk at the same time? All of this takes place simultaneously with a smile on the PT’s face. At its heart, the art of rehabilitation practice exists as the illusion of simplicity, but is actually the result of skill and expertise curated in a simple form to give you the best outcome.

If you see you physical therapist wish them a happy national PT month! We do appreciate them!

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

10/14/2025

As the federal government shutdown enters its 14th day, North Shore Health is assuring patients that Medicare remains an essential service and reimbursements will continue. Medicaid, which is funded through the first quarter of 2026, will also remain supported. Still, the shutdown is having ripple e...

10/09/2025

To Echo Flavia’s sentiments… our Dietary staff are the very best!
We honor, appreciate and thank you for all of your wonderful work.
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Dear staff,

Today I’d like to recognize my team for their work as a Foodservice Worker in Healthcare, celebrated in the US from October 5th to the 11th, where we recognize the vital contributions of foodservice professionals in healthcare settings.

I appreciate every one of you who work full, part-time and casually in Dietary. Your work is essential and know that our residents, patients and fellow employees have a better quality of life thanks to the work you do. Even when we still have work to do to improve some details on our work I’ve heard many compliments on the first year I’ve been proudly their manager. Thank you for your work, trust and team efforts to make this operation work.

Thank you Wendy, Beth, Elsa, Patty, Madi, Liz, Jennifer, Sue, Levi, Mike, Amanda for all that you do.

Sincerely,

Flavia Alvarez,

Dietary Manager

North Shore Health

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

10/07/2025

The Bridge to Health Survey is coming to randomly selected households in fall of 2025! If you get the Survey, please fill it out! It's your chance to shape the future of health in NE MN and Douglas County WI. It is 100% anonymous and trusted by 40+ local organizations for over 30 years.

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org

10/06/2025

Todd Ford’s last day as public information coordinator for Cook County and North Shore Health will be Oct. 31. Ford has held the role since March 2022, helping the county and hospital navigate a post-COVID landscape. The Board of Commissioners announced and accepted his retirement during its Aug. ...

10/06/2025

Immediate Opening:

Public Information Coordinator

This is a shared full time position between North Shore Health and Cook County MN Administration Dept.

Under general supervision, develops and coordinates Cook County’s and North Shore Health’s (NSH’s) Public Information programming, including communication policies and programs, media relations, management of visual identity and brand, public engagement, communication plans and communication training programs for staff. The Public Information Coordinator serves as the primary contact for media outlets, spokesperson for the County and NSH, and is responsible for providing accurate and timely information to members of the public and the media. Provides communications recommendations to County and NSH leadership on sensitive and major issues and anticipates and coordinates communication issues of organizational and community concern.

Cook County is in the northeastern corner of Minnesota and shares an international border with Canada. To the east, the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior’s North Shore is awe-inspiring. Four distinct communities dot the shoreline; Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder (the West End), the quaint harbor village of Grand Marais, historic Grand Portage and further inland lies the Gunflint Trail. Cook County’s employees are part of an innovative team committed to supporting community through quality public service. We offer rewarding career opportunities with great benefits in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Cook County offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental and vision insurances, life insurance, short and long term disability insurances, PERA, employer matched deferred compensation (457b) plan, employer paid VEBA, 13 paid holidays, paid time off and flexible work schedules.

For more details and to apply for this position: https://secure3.entertimeonline.com/ta/6130510.careers?CareersSearch=&lang=en-US

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org
https://www.co.cook.mn.us

10/06/2025

The NSH Rehab Department hosted a fun successful Fall Prevention Day at the Community Center with 23 attendees joining in- co sponsored by the community center and had informational booths with Bone Builders, Sawtooth Mountain Clinc, Care Partners and the YMCA. Participants were involved in education, fall risk assessments, and resources to help reduce risks and continue to promote independence in their homes. In addition, “Get Up Off the Floor” event, led by Treg Axtell NSH Physical Therapy sponsored by Bone Builders gave hands-on practice with safe techniques to rise from the floor along with exercises and demo of equipment that can aid in transferring individuals safely from the floor if needed. These events highlighted the importance of strength, balance, and preparation required in everyday life up on the North Shore. The events coincide with national Fall Week and October is National Physical Therapy Month. Thank you to all who attended and supported these efforts to keep our community safe and active!

https://www.northshorehealthgm.org