Essentia Health has started construction on a new emergency department at its Fosston, Minnesota hospital, a project expected to expand capacity and update care spaces at the critical access facility.

The $12 million project will add more than 5,500 square feet to Essentia Health-Fosston, a Level IV trauma hospital that provides 24/7 emergency care in a rural region. Plans include additional treatment space, rooms designed for behavioral health patients, and a new ambulance bay intended to improve patient flow and access.

“As a critical access hospital serving a rural region, Essentia Health-Fosston plays an essential role in providing timely, high-quality care close to home,” said Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, Essentia Health West Market president. “This new emergency department will help us better meet the needs of patients and families in Fosston and the surrounding area. We are proud to continue investing in this community and the people who depend on us every day.”
Hospital leadership said the redesigned department is intended to address space constraints and improve privacy and safety for patients and staff. The facility currently supports emergency services alongside walk-in care and same-day primary care access, in addition to more than 20 specialty services.

“This is an exciting day for our hospital and for Fosston,” said Mike Curtis, Essentia Health-Fosston administrator. “Our team cares for patients around the clock, and this project will give them a larger, more efficient space designed to support excellent care.”

Kraus-Anderson is serving as the project’s construction partner. The company said it will coordinate work to limit disruptions to hospital operations during construction.

Construction is scheduled for completion in summer 2027. Essentia Health-Fosston was recently named a 2026 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.

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