Regional health care provider laying off 500 non-medical employees as it redeploys resources

March 31, 2020

DULUTH, Minn.–Duluth, Minnesota-based Essentia Health, a health care provider that operates a hospital in Fargo, has announced plans to lay-off non-medical staffing levels in its system as the hospitals prepare for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients in the communities it serves.

According to a release, plans include redeploying staff to care for patients while responding to the significant financial impacts caused by a reduction in services due to the pandemic. As a result, 500 employees systemwide who are not involved in direct patient care have been placed on special administrative leave. Staffing levels will continually be evaluated and adjusted as needs evolve.

Essentia Health serves patients in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Idaho. it has 15 hospitals, 77 clinics, six long-term care facilities, three assisted living facilities, three independent living facilities, five ambulance services, and one research institute.