Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (SMC) and North Shore Health (NSH) have announced upcoming changes to physician services for the Cook County, MN community. 

SMC physicians have traditionally provided care to inpatients and swing bed patients at NSH in addition to seeing patients at the clinic. Due to physician shortages, SMC physicians will soon focus on clinic primary care. Starting July 1, 2023, SMC physicians will no longer be able to provide care to inpatient and swing bed patients at NSH. 

For over 18 months, SMC has actively recruited for physicians to replace providers who are retiring, relocating and/or cutting back hours. They have utilized a recruitment firm and pursued a variety of other recruitment initiatives. Since no viable candidates have been secured, SMC can no longer both fulfill its primary care mission and provide care for patients being admitted to the hospital. As a result, SMC will soon focus on preserving primary care (clinic) services in the community.

“NSH is working to secure alternatives so that patients can continue to be admitted to observation, acute and swing bed services,” said Kimber Wraalstad, NSH CEO. “Multiple avenues of care are being explored that may include virtual hospitalist’s services. This will certainly change how patients are cared for while in the hospital.”  

SMC physicians will continue to admit patients to home care, residents to the care center and provide colonoscopies on an outpatient basis. Outpatient referrals such as Lab, Imaging, IV infusions, Rehab services, etc. will continue to be provided at NSH.    

“We are committed to working together to ensure a smooth transition and the continuation of high-quality health care services to our patients and community,” said Kate Surbaugh, SMC CEO. “It is our hope that this transformation will ultimately be a positive change for all involved.”

North Shore Health and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic are both committed to providing continued access to quality care close to home.  More details will be shared in the near future as next steps in this transition are determined. 

About North Shore Health:

North Shore Health is a rural health facility located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN. The organization, which is part of the Cook County Hospital District includes a 16-bed critical access hospital, a 37-bed skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, an ambulance service and a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Their mission is “Community Access to Compassionate Care”. 

About Sawtooth Mountain Clinic:

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Inc. (SMC) is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center serving Cook County and Grand Portage, MN. SMC’s mission is to offer high-quality health care to everyone who walks through its doors, regardless of ability to pay. With an experienced and caring staff, three locations, and a wide range of available services, we are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our community and our visitors.