Essentia Health-Oklee Clinic

07/04/2025

"Hands-on experience through simulations [and] education ... gives [students] the opportunity to ask questions [about] these various different areas of health care," says Krista Lardy, pediatric nurse at Essentia Health.

We're proud of our school-to-career partnerships — like this phenomenal example with Minnesota State Moorhead — which provides students with real experiences that help shape their futures in health care.

InForum: https://tinyurl.com/5n7mw7j9
KVRR News: https://tinyurl.com/yckdkaym

Scrubs Camp at MSUM and Essentia Health is helping 24 teens explore careers in health care through hands-on lessons and simulations.

07/04/2025

"That’s something we see too: fireworks that have a delayed fuse, didn’t go off, somebody goes to pick it up and then it explodes,” says Essentia Health's Josh Honeyman, DO (emergency medicine).

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, there is a much higher chance of fireworks-related injuries. Already this year, a 33-year-old man in Iowa was killed while shooting off fireworks. In 2024, nearly 15,000 people in the U.S. were treated for fireworks-related injuries in...

07/03/2025

Did you know that simple social connections — or even strawberries 🍓 — can help support brain and mental health?

Essentia Health's Alexandra Kohlhase, PsyD,LP, and Eric Jacobson, MD, recently joined Prairie Public to discuss men's health and well-being, as well as Alzheimer's and brain awareness.

Dr. Jacobson: https://tinyurl.com/59rmr3sj
Dr. Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/4hhkedc

We spotlight Men's Health Month with Dr. Eric Jacobson, meet Maartje Murphy of Cows & Co Creamery, and revisit deadly storms on Prairie Beat with firsthand accounts.

07/03/2025

At Essentia Health, we take pride in the care we provide our patients and communities in our mission to make a healthy difference in people's lives. We also like to recognize the contributions of our caregivers.

We encourage you to share your appreciation for the services our colleagues provide by casting a vote for Essentia and our teammates in the Brainerd Dispatch's “Best of the Best 2025" — voting open through July 31!

Nomination period began June 1 and runs through midnight June 14.

07/02/2025

"We've seen mangled hands and extremities from fireworks explosions," says Essentia Health's Chris Anderson, MD (emergency medicine).

Even fireworks marketed as “kid-friendly” or “safe,” such as sparklers — which can reach temperatures as high as 1,200 degrees — can still lead to serious harm.

Fargo ER doctor says fireworks, alcohol and hot weather are a dangerous mix for holiday injuries.

07/02/2025

Congratulations to our 2025 Values Awards recipients from Virginia, International Falls, and Aurora, Minnesota!

Please join us as we celebrate Essentia Health colleagues who are honored for exemplifying one of our seven values — quality, hospitality, respect, joy, justice, stewardship, and teamwork.

▪ Quality: Kelly Thelen, registered nurse, Virginia
▪ Hospitality: Michele Bergstrom, pharmacy technician, International Falls Clinic
▪ Joy: Paul Martens, senior finance business partner, Virginia
▪ Justice: Leah Bueckers, administrative supervisor, Virginia
▪ Respect: Justin Peyla, rehabilitation services supervisor, Northern Pines (Aurora)
▪ Stewardship: Amber Hippolt, registered nurse, Virginia
▪ Teamwork: Tara Helms, human resources business partner, Virginia

07/01/2025

"For five decades, we’ve trained brilliant, compassionate physicians who are uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of rural and underserved communities," says Dr. Caryn Ge**er, Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program manager.

"Their impact is felt across Minnesota and beyond, and it’s a testament to the power of intentional, community-focused medical education."

Since then, 425 graduating clinicians have been prepared specifically to practice in small towns, which face a shortage of providers and thus reduced access to quality health care.

06/30/2025

“We are proud to have a meaningful presence in the communities we serve. We’re thankful these new providers have chosen to join Essentia Health, and live our mission of making a healthy difference in our patients’ lives,” says Essentia Health CEO David C. Herman, MD.

Hughes: https://tinyurl.com/bdhsny4y
Roche: https://tinyurl.com/3z6b78hc
Heermans: https://tinyurl.com/mu35knsh

06/27/2025

It's fun making a healthy difference in people's lives — just look at our colleagues' smiles!

Special thanks to our Brainerd Lakes teammates and Crow Wing Energized for volunteering to pack more than 2,100 meals recently at The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, which is dedicated to providing food assistance and enriching the lives of families in need.

Kudos to our Fargo colleagues, as well, for joining the Cass Clay Hunger Coalition recently to assemble t-shirt totes for the River Keepers, a Fargo-Moorhead lnonprofit that connects neighbors safely to the Red River through education, stewardship, and engagement.

Community Engagement: https://ow.ly/ANqK50SEGNq

06/27/2025

Congratulations to some of Essentia Health's latest DAISY Award honorees! The DAISY Foundation honors nurses who provide above-and-beyond compassionate care to patients and families.

🌼 Richard Andrews, Jr., RN
🌼 Jessica Berg, RN

06/26/2025

Medicaid helps tens of thousands of our patients access life-saving and life-changing care and treatment.

At Essentia Health, we’re committed to ensuring families with kids like Mason have access to high-quality health care across the communities we serve.

Essentia Health concerned Medicaid cuts could lead to hospital closures and busier emergency rooms.

06/26/2025

We're "real gone" with the 50s at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota! At least, that was the theme of this year's Resident Picnic 👠 🎶

More than 160 residents, family members, and volunteer joined our colleagues for a picnic in poodle skirts and scarves while fuzzy dice and hot cars jazzed up the back parking lot. Everyone flipped their lid when Elvis made his grand entrance and sang some of his greatest hits!