Negotiations continue at Solvay Hospice House and Essentia Health Surgery Center-Miller Hill in Duluth. Two bargaining sessions were held this week, with additional meetings scheduled for Sept. 8 at Solvay and Sept. 10 at the Surgery Center.
“LiveWell provides free activities to community members with the idea of improving well-being while building connections between people and the outdoors,” said Lynn Goerdt, a social worker and coordinator of LiveWell at UW-Superior.
If you’re eligible, roll up your sleeve. Memorial Blood Centers is taking appointments at mbc.org or 888-448-3252. Blood donors can give every 56 days, platelet donors twice a month.
“Essentia often speaks about their values — Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork — and how they live those values each day. Unfortunately, that has not been reflected in their treatment of advanced practice providers.” -- Nurse Practitioner Vicky Brady
It’s a heck of a look for Essentia, a system that prides itself on community stewardship yet has poured millions into temporary travel nurses to keep hospital beds staffed while turning around and padlocking places like the Solvay Hospice House.
Essentia Health nurses, represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association, met with hospital representatives on Tuesday during the final scheduled bargaining session before their contract expires on June 30. The negotiations come days after more than 15,000 nurses and Advanced Practice Providers across the Twin Cities and Twin Ports voted
“We’re not asking for luxury. We’re asking for the respect and autonomy to care for people properly and the basic right to speak up without risking our jobs.” -- Sara Feldbrugge, an APP at Essentia
“Reducing benefits at the last minute is not only disrespectful, it’s dangerous. They’re offering less support and asking us to do more with it.” -- Andrea Rubesch, an Oncology-Hospice nurse at St. Luke’s.
“We didn’t become nurses to play legal chess. We are here to save lives. However, Essentia’s refusal to address real workplace concerns is endangering our patients.” -- Katie Murray, an RN at Essentia-Duluth
“Unsafe staffing levels are hurting our patients. Nurses know it. Patients know it. And hospital executives know it. But those same executives continue to prioritize profits over safe patient care.” -- Megan Finnegan, RN at Aspirus-St. Luke’s in Duluth
“Patients are facing longer waits, and overworked staff are facing dangerous conditions. Nurses are taking action because our healthcare system cannot afford more delays or excuses. It’s time to put patients before profits.” -- Chris Rubesch, RN, President of the Minnesota Nurses Association
By Max Nesterak Ericka Helling is used to being attacked on the job. She’s been bitten, slapped, kicked. “And that’s just a part of the day,” said Helling, a 27-year veteran nurse in the intensive care unit at M Health Fairview’s Southdale Hospital. She considers herself lucky.
Physician Assistant Erika Kosloski, PA-C, has joined St. Luke’s Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates. Kosloski earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree from the College of St. Scholastica. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Kosloski’s areas of interest include
St. Luke’s Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates has welcomed Dr. Jonna Quinn. Dr. Quinn earned her medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Iowa. She completed her residency at Aultman Hospital, Canton, Ohio. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. During her
St. Luke’s has promoted Mat Solberg to clinic manager at St. Luke’s OB-GYN Associates and St. Luke’s Pediatric Associates. Solberg, from Hermantown, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He joined St. Luke’s in 2021 as the operations supervisor for
Nurse Practitioner Alicia Lagarde, APRN, CNP, has joined the St. Luke’s Community Care Team. Lagarde, who is from Wrenshall, earned her Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Simmons University, Boston. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from The College of St. Scholastica. She is
