Altru Health System has signed a letter of intent to purchase 50 acres of land for a future hospital facility in Devils Lake.
Altru had previously expressed a commitment to a unified health system in the Devils Lake area. Over the summer, the Grand Forks-based health care provider sent letters to Devils Lake residents about its intent to serve the area long term and hosted public listening sessions where Chief Clinical Operations Officer Meghan Compton told attendees that Altru was interested in purchasing CHI St. Alexius if the opportunity arose . In September, Altru partnered with Devils Lake Public Schools to provide a full-time school nurse and athletic training services.
“After listening to the community of Devils Lake and collaborating with local leaders, we are taking the next steps to improve care in Devils Lake and delivering the high-quality service residents deserve,” Dr. Steven Weiser, Altru’s president, said in a news release announcing the move. “Investing in property that can accommodate the long-term needs of this community and expanding the services we offer will greatly enhance healthcare in Devils Lake.”
The construction of a flagship regional hospital and expansion in Devils Lake is part of Altru’s strategy to improve access to care in Grand Forks and the surrounding region.
Altru also plans to expand outpatient services and specialty coverage with the addition of a 12-bed dialysis center and imaging services to the existing Altru Clinic in Devils Lake, the release said. Other areas of focus will include women’s services, orthopedics, oncology, cardiology and pharmacy.
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“The community of Devils Lake will be a regional destination center for high-quality healthcare in North Dakota,” said Weiser. “To achieve this, Altru has committed resources to expand these services so residents can stay close to home for a majority of their care. In addition, we will continue our robust physician recruitment plan to support our region.”
Altru says it will continue to collaborate with local and regional leaders to envision the direction of healthcare in Devils Lake now and into the future, with a priority of meeting the needs of Lake Region residents.
