Essentia Health
Postcard from St. Mary’s Hospital
This postcard, published by the Rotograph Company of New York City and printed in Germany, shows St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. The card has no postmark, but Rotograph’s postcard operation ran from 1904 to 1911. (more…)
Postcard from St. Mary’s Hospital
This undated postcard, circa the turn of the 20th century, shows St. Mary’s Hospital at 404 E. Third St. This was Duluth’s second St. Mary’s building; the first was in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The Third Street building opened in 1898. It was demolished in 1967 and replaced by a new wing of the expanding hospital.
Later known as St. Mary’s Medical Center, it merged with the Duluth Clinic in 1997 to form the SMDC Health System. Miller-Dwan Medical Center joined in 2001. The system became Essentia Health in 2004. Its network now includes hospitals, clinics and other health-care facilities throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
R.I.P. Loiselle Liquor / Lake Superior Liquor Cabinet
The former Loiselle Liquor store in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood was demolished last week. It was the oldest liquor store in Duluth, established in 1934. The store was sold in 2022 and took a new name — Lake Superior Liquor Cabinet — but eventually closed. The building was sold to Essentia Health in April. (more…)
Essentia Health campus vs. a panel from ‘Ronin’
Essentia Health campus in Duluth on Aug. 4, 2022. Steve Kuchera / Duluth News Tribune
Panel from Frank Miller’s “Ronin” as shown in the Comics Journal.
In the graphic novel Ronin, by Frank Miller, an AI named Virgo grows its organic technology over and through a dystopian New York City. As the story progresses, the city completely transforms. I wondered if I could find a photo of the expanding hospital complex that matched this comic panel.
The Thing About Essentia Health
Imagine, if you will, being trans and you don’t go by your birth name anymore — and the clinic knows that — and you arrive at an Essentia Health clinic in Duluth for, let’s say an eye appointment.
“Hmmmm. Can you spell your last name again?”
“Hmmmmm. What is your date of birth, again, ma’am?”
“I’m just not finding you. How about your street address?
Also, for the sake of this scenario, there are four other people behind you impatiently waiting to register for their own appointments. You start to feel a bead of sweat pop up on your forehead.
“Can you spell your last name again?” Nothing. The registration lady calls for help. A supervisor slides her chair over. You’re feeling a little hot. Isn’t it humid in this damn clinic, today?
“Oh! Are you DEAD NAME DEAD NAME BOODOOTY DEAD DAMN NAME?” (more…)
Essentia Fitness & Therapy Center will move to former Younkers
Essentia Health is investing $15 million in the purchase and remodeling of the 145,000-square-foot former Younkers department store at Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. The Essentia Health Fitness & Therapy Center will move into the first floor this fall. Plans are being developed for the rest of the building and will be announced when they are finalized. (more…)
Keep a lap pool in Downtown Duluth!
There are rumors that Essentia Health’s downtown campus may no longer include a lap pool, after the planned remodel/reorganization. The aquatics center slated for Hermantown may be meant to replace the current pool. Hermantown is not a convenient location for many people who swim at Essentia’s Duluth facilities, including many medical staff, seniors, and those with special needs.
If Essentia is serious about improving and expanding its health and wellness services, it should continue to provide the health-promoting benefits of a pool, at a convenient, affordable downtown location, accessible by public transportation. Essentia got many swimmers hooked on fitness through swimming in its great adults-only, extended-hours lap pool!
To sign a petition in support of the lap pool, go to: petitions.moveon.org.