Altru Health System is set to make what the organization promises will be a major announcement today.
The Grand Forks-based health care system has scheduled a news conference for today in the Alerus Center to share news about a new affiliation with a "world-class leader in health care," according to a press release.
Altru spokeswoman DeAnn Hecht declined to comment about the new affiliation, saying only that it would be a "historical announcement."
Hecht did say that the agreement does not include a merger or a buyout.
Karl Oestreich, a spokesman with the Mayo Clinic, would neither confirm nor deny if the Mayo Clinic has any partnerships planned with Altru.
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Oestreich did say that the Mayo Clinic's "goal is to continue to grow." The Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic also has locations in Arizona and Florida and will add a presence at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., later this year.
The Mayo Clinic also recently announced a new health insurance option allowing Canadians to access Mayo Clinic expertise at its existing locations or through an electronic consultation. A Mayo Health System partnership links local health care providers in 70 communities throughout Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin with the Mayo Clinic's expertise, but none of the facilities are located west or north of Lamberton in south-central Minnesota.
"We are meeting patients where they are, whether that's at the mall or one of our facilities," Oestreich said. "It is all about the needs of the patient."
A Sanford Health spokesperson declined comment on Altru's announcement. A representative with Essentia Health said the organization is not involved in today's announcement.
It was unclear Wednesday if the new affiliation would lead to the building or expanding of any Altru facilities or the hiring of additional staff.
According to the city's planning department, Altru hasn't recently submitted new plans for construction.
Altru executives will be on hand at the news conference, which is coinciding with Altru's annual meeting, to clarify what the announcement means to patients in the region.
Schuster reports on business. Reach Schuster at (701) 780-1107; (800) 477-6572, ext. 107; or send email to rschuster@gfherald.com . Follow Schuster on Twitter at @RyanSchuster.
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