The roots of Altru Health System date back to 1892 when St. Luke’s
Hospital was built in downtown Grand Forks (renamed Deaconess Hospital in 1899).
Early 1900s
Three pioneering physicians established a clinic and achieved several firsts
in North Dakota, including: the first board certified ear, nose and throat
specialist, radiologist, internist, surgeon and obstetrician. Their practice
would become known as the Grand Forks Clinic in 1940. In 1907, Sisters
of St. Joseph of Caron opened St. Michael’s Hospital, a 60-bed facility.
1950s An outpatient medical rehabilitation facility opened on the University
of North Dakota campus with a staff of eight.
1960s Leaders of Deaconess Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, the Grand
Forks Clinic and the University of North Dakota Medical Center Rehabilitation
Hospital discussed the problems of lack of space for expansion, duplication
of services and a growing community and region.
1970s Deaconess and St. Michael’s Hospitals became legally, but not physically,
one The United Hospital. Organizers broke ground for the first facility
on Medical Park, a 90-acre campus of medical services and facilities.
As the first building on Medical Park, The Rehab was a $4.3 million, 88-bed building.
In 1976, construction of The United Hospital, an acute care hospital, on
Medical Park was completed. The next facilities to follow were Valley
Medical Associates, P.C. and the Grand Forks Clinic. The medical complex
grew to include an orthopedic clinic, nursing home, chemical dependency
center and a unique senior living center.
In 1977, Grand Forks Clinic participated in the founding of the North Central
Cancer Treatment Group, and The United Hospital organized the first paramedic
training program in the state.
1980s The region’s first cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab)
was established at The United Hospital. The United Recovery Center building
was completed, creating The United Health Foundation. In 1985, the first
heart donated for transplant in North Dakota occurred at The United Hospital.
Grand Forks Clinic acquired Roseau and Greenbush Clinics and Northwestern
Clinics in Crookston, Fertile and Erskine.
1990s The Rehab and The United Hospital merged. The Rehab 1,2,3 was dedicated,
making it the third of its kind in the nation.
United Health Services and the Grand Forks Clinic merged to form Altru
Health System.
Altru’s Diabetes Center was founded to provide accessible, comprehensive
care using the latest and best treatment and management options. Altru
acquired Cavalier Clinic.
2000s Altru Cancer Center came into existence.
In 2003, Altru Hospital received HealthGrades’ annual Distinguished
Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence.
In 2005, Altru acquired Grand Forks Family Medicine Residency. Altru Health
System was recognized for service excellence under the J.D. Power and
Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.
In 2007, Altru opened Truyu Aesthetic Center.
2010s Epic was implemented throughout the health care system, allowing for electronic
health care records. In 2011, Altru was announced as the first member
of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a network of health care delivery organizations
which benefit from having access to Mayo Clinic expertise and clinical
resources.
In 2014, Altru Specialty Center opened at the South Washington Medical
Park offering a clinic, elective orthopedic and podiatry surgeries, a
joint replacement center and inpatient rehabilitation.
In 2016, Altru partnered with Medica to develop Altru & You with Medica,
North Dakota's first Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
In 2017, Altru announced a bold new era in care for the region, including
a $250 million investment, a new 21st-century hospital, expanded clinic
services, new technology, cutting-edge surgical and emergency services
and a population approach to healthcare. The next year Altru unveiled
25 Year Masterplan that includes Phase 1 “Hospital in the Park.”
The first phase showcases the new hospital that will be designed and constructed
over the next five years. Altru was named a 2018 Most Wired hospital by CHIME.
In 2019, Altru leaders and staff broke ground on our new state-of-the-art
hospital. Altru was named ‘Best Hospital in North Dakota’
by U.S. News and World Report.
2020 Altru teams adapted through the COVID pandemic. The initiation of the COVID
hotline, curbside testing, home visit program and so much more changed
the lives of many.
2021 The Altru team continued to navigate the COVID pandemic. A joint venture
agreement was entered into with Encompass Health for the Altru Rehabilitation
Hospital. Construction of the new hospital in Grand Forks resumed.
2022 Altru received many national recognitions in the field of healthcare, including
heart and stroke quality care awards, healthcare technology awards, and
the only hospital in North Dakota to be named a Newsweek Best Maternity
Hospital. The new hospital project ended the year at 44% complete.
Three pioneering physicians established a clinic and achieved several firsts
in North Dakota, including: the first board certified ear, nose and throat
specialist, radiologist, internist, surgeon and obstetrician. Their practice
would become known as the Grand Forks Clinic in 1940. In 1907, Sisters
of St. Joseph of Caron opened St. Michael’s Hospital, a 60-bed facility.
In 2017, Altru announced a bold new era in care for the region, including
a $250 million investment, a new 21st-century hospital, expanded clinic
services, new technology, cutting-edge surgical and emergency services
and a population approach to healthcare. The next year Altru unveiled
25 Year Masterplan that includes Phase 1 “Hospital in the Park.”
The first phase showcases the new hospital that will be designed and constructed
over the next five years. Altru was named a 2018 Most Wired hospital by CHIME.
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