Essentia Health Envisions Medical School at Former Hospital Site

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health already has high hopes for the former site of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Along with support from the Duluth City Council, Essentia wants the land to be used by the University of Minnesota as a new medical school. Essentia says that they share the University’s mission to improve rural healthcare across the region.

“The Minnesota Department of Health reported that 1 in 3, rural physicians will be exiting their profession over the course of the next five years. So, we think the time is now for this academic health center expansion,” said Tonya Loken, Community Relations for Essentia.

Loken says that medical school would be another addition to Essentia’s efforts in revitalizing the Hillside area.

“We’ve been in this neighborhood for over 100 years, and we are committed, to the health and vitality of this neighborhood. And we demonstrate that with 145 units of housing we currently have in motion. We’ve had many conversations with developers about the 18 parcels we have, to help support revitalization of this neighborhood,” said Loken.

While the University still has to accept the offer, Essentia has said they would make the land available to the university at no cost.