Communities where you can make a difference.
It's not just about the job. We know taking time for family and to enjoy life is just as important. Essentia Health clinics and hospitals are located in large and small communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho and North Dakota. From the prairies to the forests, there is something for everyone. Explore our system map to see our communities divided by region.
On summer weekends, the roads north from Minneapolis/St. Paul are clogged with eager vacationers—but you'll already be here.
With traffic jams measured in seconds, it takes no time at all to get out to hiking trails, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or fishing and water sports on any of the hundreds of area lakes. Many of our communities are located on or near Lake Superior. The largest freshwater lake in the world, it offers diverse activities, including sailing, freshwater diving or climbing along its rocky cliffs. Northeastern Minnesota alone has 13 state parks, 14 state forests, Voyageurs National Park, the Superior and Chippewa National Forests, and the incomparable Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. And Northwestern Wisconsin offers yet more outdoor fun with spectacular places like the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
The wilderness even extends into Duluth and the smaller towns where Essentia Health maintains regional clinics.
It's not all about the outdoors. There are plenty of cultural experiences as well, including symphony, ballet, art galleries, community theaters and comedy theatre troupes. From minor league sports teams to museums and historical sites to local breweries, there's always something to do.
The region is not only beautiful; it's affordable. Both Minnesota and Wisconsin rank in the top half of the nation for lower cost of living, according to The Council for Community and Economic Research.
The joy of being on vacation—that's the feeling you get every day in the Brainerd Lakes area. With 465 lakes in a 30-mile radius, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the water.
Shop 'til you drop. With stores big and small, you'll find just what you're looking for—and treasures you least expect. Visit historic downtown Brainerd or the boutiques of Nisswa for shops that offer locally grown and made products. Choose from over 100 restaurants, including small town diners, award-winning 5-star restaurants, ethnic foods and steak houses.
The Lakes Area is ranked one of the "Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World" by Golf Digest Magazine. Discover 17 fantastic courses and over 300 holes of golf. Courses have been created by famed designers such as Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and Joel Goldstrand.
Discover community theater, symphony orchestra and everything in between. The Central Lakes College Theater and Greater Lakes Performing Arts School perform throughout the year. The Heartland Symphony Orchestra is a 50-piece volunteer, nonprofit community orchestra that performs three full-length orchestral music concerts each season in Little Falls and Brainerd.
Museums provide a glimpse into the region's rich history. The Crow Wing County Historical Society traces the significance of the area's American Indian heritage as well as its logging and mining history.
Find a mix of picturesque small towns and major metropolitan areas. Landscapes are equally diverse, from the beauty of the prairies to lakes, rivers and woods. There's truly something for everyone.
In the center of one of North America's most productive agricultural regions sits the bustling metro area of Fargo-Moorhead. One of the fastest growing economies in the Upper Midwest, the area is experiencing growth in population, employment and new jobs.
Called the happiest city in America for women by Self magazine, Fargo-Moorhead is renowned for its friendly people and quality living. Good schools, affordable housing, and clean air and water are just a few of the things that make this a desirable place to live.
The area has become a shopping mecca, attracting major retailers (check out West Acres Mall) and throngs of shoppers from throughout the region.
Experience culture with ethnic celebrations, concerts for every taste, sports of all kinds and major names in entertainment. Arts and theater abound, from unique films at the Fargo Theatre to fine arts at Plains Art Museum.
Small communities in this region represent the best of rural America. Great school systems, affordable housing and all around quality of life make these towns ideal places to live and to raise a family.
