Essentia Health is an integrated health system serving patients in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Idaho. In the summer of 2010, Essentia Health brought together the operations of SMDC Health System, Brainerd Lakes Health, Innovis Health, Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics, and the Essentia Institute of Rural Health. Essentia Health was originally formed in January 2004 through a partnership of the Benedictine Health System and SMDC Health System. In January 2008, Innovis Health joined Essentia Health and all of the hospitals and clinics owned by the Benedictine Health System were transferred to Essentia Community Hospitals and Clinics.

Today, Essentia Health continues to seek opportunities to grow its network of physicians, healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics. By combining resources, we bring economies of scale and depth of experience to healthcare delivery in the rural communities we serve.