
Essentia Health is an integrated healthcare system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It is a Catholic, Benedictine-sponsored healthcare system with a mission to promote Christ's ministry of holistic healing for all human life, with a special focus on the poor and powerless. The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery guide the spirit of the Benedictines through Essentia's numerous Catholic-sponsored facilities. Essentia Health's mission is enhanced by its Catholic mission and the values it upholds, such as quality, hospitality, respect, joy, justice, stewardship, and teamwork.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of employees | 15,000+ |
| Number of physicians and advanced practitioners | 2,200+ |
| Number of hospitals | 14 |
| Number of clinics | 78-80 |
| Number of retail pharmacies | 24 |
| Number of long-term care facilities | 6 |
| Number of assisted living facilities | 3 |
| Number of independent living facilities | 2-6 |
| Number of ambulance services | 6 |
| Number of research institutes | 1 |
| States served | Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota |
| Headquarters | Duluth, Minnesota |
| Mission | To make a healthy difference in people's lives |
| Type of facilities | Catholic |
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What You'll Learn

Essentia Health's Catholic mission
Essentia Health is a Catholic health system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, Essentia Health was formed in 2004 as the parent company of the partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC).
The organization's Catholic mission is to promote Christ's ministry of holistic healing for all human life, with special concern for the poor and powerless. This mission is guided by the values of quality, hospitality, respect, joy, justice, stewardship, and teamwork. Prayer is also an important aspect of Essentia Health's Catholic identity, with prayers offered at meetings, special holidays, for healing, and during meal blessings.
The spirit of the Benedictines is evident in Essentia Health's history, dating back to the late 1880s when Bishop James McGolrick requested that Mother Scholastica Kerst send Sisters to found a hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery established and expanded healthcare services across the region, eventually sponsoring Catholic hospitals in other Minnesota communities.
Today, Essentia Health continues to be guided by its Catholic mission and values, striving to make a healthy difference in people's lives. This includes not only providing personalized care for patients but also actively getting involved in the communities it serves. Essentia Health partners with local agencies and organizations to improve the health and well-being of the areas it serves, including supporting initiatives such as the Clearwater County Food Shelf and the LAKE Trails Initiative.
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Catholic-sponsored facilities
Essentia Health is a Catholic-sponsored health system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It was formed in 2004 as the parent company of the partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC). Essentia Health's mission as a Catholic, Benedictine-sponsored facility is to promote Christ's ministry of holistic healing for all human life, with special concern for the poor and powerless. The organization is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork.
The spirit of the Benedictines is carried on through Essentia's many Catholic-sponsored facilities, which are guided by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery. In the late 1880s, Duluth, Minnesota was a booming community with rapidly expanding shipping, mining, and logging operations. Recognizing the need for healthcare in the community, Bishop James McGolrick asked Mother Scholastica Kerst, Prioress of St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota, to send sisters to found a hospital. In February 1888, Mother Scholastica sent her sister, Sister Alexia Kerst, to lead a group of nursing sisters to establish a hospital.
These innovative and resourceful sisters began one of the first health maintenance organizations, offering access to Benedictine hospitals for the price of an annual ticket. The funds supported the existing ministry and helped expand healthcare services across the region. By 1910, the sisters owned and operated five hospitals in Minnesota, including St. Mary's, St. Joseph's in Brainerd, St. Vincent's in Crookston, St. Benedict's in Grand Rapids, and St. Anthony's in Bemidji.
The Benedictine Sisters' health care ministry continued to grow, sponsoring Catholic hospitals in other Minnesota communities. Today, Essentia Health includes 14 hospitals, 79-80 clinics, six long-term care facilities, and more. Prayer is an important part of the organization, used in a variety of settings such as opening and closing meetings, special holidays, and prayers for healing.
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Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery
Essentia Health is an integrated healthcare system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It includes many Catholic facilities and is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork. Essentia Health was formed in 2004 as the parent company of the partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC).
The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery are an integral part of the history of Essentia Health. In the late 1880s, Duluth, Minnesota was a rapidly growing community with a need for healthcare. Bishop James McGolrick requested that Mother Scholastica Kerst, Prioress of St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota, send Sisters to found a hospital. Mother Scholastica Kerst answered the call by sending a group of nursing Sisters, led by her blood sister, Sister Alexia Kerst, to Duluth. These innovative and resourceful Benedictine Sisters established one of the first health maintenance organizations, offering access to their Benedictine hospitals for an annual fee. This revenue supported their ministry and helped them expand healthcare services across the region.
By 1910, the Benedictine Sisters owned and operated five hospitals in Minnesota, including St. Mary's, St. Joseph's in Brainerd, St. Vincent's in Crookston, St. Benedict's in Grand Rapids (now Grand Itasca), and St. Anthony's in Bemidji. They continued to build hospitals across northern Minnesota and sponsored Catholic hospitals in other communities, forming the foundation of what would become Essentia Health.
The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery carry on the spirit of the Benedictines, with St. Benedict's words, "Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as Christ is served," guiding their work. Prayer is an important aspect of their ministry, and it is incorporated into various aspects of healthcare delivery and organizational functions.
Today, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery continue their service, responding to the needs of God's people with hospitality, simplicity, and reverence. They offer opportunities for spiritual renewal and provide spaces for private individual and group retreats. The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, also operate the Hesychia House of Prayer, nestled in the Ozark Mountains, where they offer hospitality to adults of any faith seeking quiet time alone with God.
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Catholic Health Care Services
Essentia Health is an integrated healthcare system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It was formed in 2004 as the parent company of the partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC). Essentia Health includes many Catholic facilities and is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork.
The organization strives to make a healthy difference in people's lives by serving its patients and communities through personalized care. Its mission is driven by its Catholic foundations, which promote Christ's ministry of holistic healing for all human life, with special concern for the poor and powerless. Prayer is an important aspect of Essentia Health's Catholic identity, and it is incorporated into various settings, such as meetings, special holidays, and prayers for healing.
The history of Essentia Health's Catholic facilities dates back to the late 1880s when Bishop James McGolrick recognized the need for healthcare in Duluth, Minnesota. He invited Mother Scholastica Kerst, Prioress of St. Benedict's Monastery, to send Sisters to establish a hospital. In 1888, Sister Alexia Kerst, along with a group of nursing Sisters, founded St. Mary's Hospital, which became the first of many Benedictine hospitals in the region.
The Sisters innovatively offered access to these hospitals for the price of an annual ticket, ensuring revenue for their ministry. With these funds, they expanded their healthcare services, owning and operating multiple hospitals by 1910. The Benedictine Sisters played a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare landscape across northern Minnesota and beyond, sponsoring Catholic hospitals and building a healthcare ministry rooted in their values.
Today, Essentia Health's Catholic facilities continue to be guided by the Benedictine spirit, providing care that aligns with the words of St. Benedict: "Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as Christ is served." Essentia Health's commitment to its Catholic mission is evident in its ethical standards and the holistic approach to healing that it employs in serving its patients and communities.
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Essentia Health's values
Essentia Health is a Catholic health system with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. It was formed in 2004 through a partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC). Essentia Health's values are deeply rooted in its Catholic and Benedictine heritage.
At its core, Essentia Health is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork. These values shape the way they care for their patients and interact with the communities they serve. With a patient-centered approach, Essentia Health strives to make a healthy difference in people's lives.
Quality is of utmost importance to Essentia Health. They are committed to providing the highest standard of care and continuously improving their services to ensure positive outcomes for their patients. This includes investing in the latest medical technologies, fostering a culture of research and innovation, and prioritizing evidence-based practices.
Hospitality is also a key value, and Essentia Health aims to create a welcoming and compassionate environment for their patients and their families. They recognize that being in a healthcare facility can be stressful and vulnerable, so they strive to offer comfort, support, and a sense of warmth to everyone who walks through their doors.
Respect is fundamental to Essentia Health's approach. They respect the dignity and uniqueness of each individual they serve, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. This respect extends not only to their patients but also to their colleagues and the communities they serve, fostering an environment of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.
Joy is another essential value for Essentia Health. They believe that bringing joy to their patients and themselves can positively impact the healing process. They strive to create moments of joy, even in challenging circumstances, through simple acts of kindness, a supportive word, or a friendly smile.
Justice is also central to Essentia Health's values. They are committed to doing what is right and ethical, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all, especially the poor and powerless. They advocate for social justice and work to address healthcare disparities, believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their best health.
Lastly, Essentia Health values Stewardship and Teamwork. As stewards, they are responsible for wisely managing their resources, ensuring the sustainable use of healthcare services, and being good stewards of the environment. Teamwork is also vital to their success. They recognize that collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach enhance the care they provide. By working together across disciplines, they can offer comprehensive care and improve the patient experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Essentia Health includes many Catholic facilities. It was formed in 2004 as the parent company of the partnership between the Benedictine Health System and St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System (SMDC).
Essentia Health's mission is to make a healthy difference in people's lives. This involves getting involved in the communities they serve and helping people live safe, healthy, and active lives.
Essentia Health is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork.
Essentia Health combines the strengths and talents of more than 15,000 employees, including physicians and advanced practitioners. They offer a range of services, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, retail pharmacies, and ambulance services.






































