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Health News
Useful health information for the citizens of the North
Pine Area Hospital District. Updated on a quarterly basis.
Free Entrance to State Park Days
Next free park day: Saturday, September 9
On four days each year, all 75 Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed! Here are the next fee-free dates in 2023:
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Saturday, September 9
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Friday, November 24
Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime.
The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours.
The goal is to encourage families to spend time together with a walk outdoors. Research shows that walking offers multiple benefits, from increased creativity and better brain function to more flexibility and stamina. So you won't just burn calories, you'll also improve your well-being.
Bill Olson
Board Chair
Bill passed away in January of this year. His illness, however, didn’t interfere with his passion for the work of the Hospital District. He joined the Hospital District Board in 2013 and soon was the treasurer and two years ago elected the Chair. His training as an engineer, experience as facilities director for the state for 20 years and work as a Brooklyn Park Planning Commissioner was invaluable during the construction of the Pine Healthcare Campus. He was on the steering committee for the planning and construction, which required countless hours of meetings for reviewing construction and financial planning for the building project. He was also heavily involved in managing the lease, which was demanding.
Lifetime achievement award in 2022 from the MN Chief Engineers Guild. He was very active in the ministry work of Living Word Christian Center. Bill had a lifetime of service and we are thankful for his dedication to the Hospital District.
Fran Levings
Board Vice Chair
Fran was a tireless champion of the Hospital District and the Health Care Needs Committee, which she chaired. She partnered with Dave Fornengo to encourage New Dosey Township to join the Hospital District in 2014. “That was the smartest move we could have made,” stated Fran. “We wanted to help steer the Hospital District to improve the health care available to our citizens.”
That is exactly what she did as chair of the Health Care Needs Committee. Her committee lead the way for education loans which have supported the education for an RN, Doctor in Psychology and Mental Health, BS in Medical Imaging, and 4 EMTs. All are using their degrees in the Hospital District territory. Additionally, under her leadership the committee supported various free health care training programs for area citizens, mental health education, food shelf support and much more.
She is now devoting her time to care for her husband who is undergoing cancer treatment. Fran’s husband, Dave Baker, is a painter and has one of his works hanging at the Essentia Sandstone hospital. Brenda Langseth-Perrault is now Chair of the Health Care Needs Committee.
Our Commitment
Saving lives and restoring health is the passion and commitment that brought 18 Pine County cities and townships together to establish the North Pine Area Hospital District (Hospital District) in 1989. These community leaders recognized that fast access to rural health care often makes the life-saving difference.
It is with this passion to provide excellent health care services that the Hospital District built the new Pine Healthcare Campus. The health care services are being provided through a Hospital District lease agreement with Essentia Health. Gateway Family Health Clinic and Thrifty White Pharmacy are providing the clinic and pharmacy services.
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