Role of local physicians changing at Grand Marais hospital

Doctors at the only hospital in Cook County could be less familiar to patients under changes coming to a pair of healthcare facilities in Grand Marais.

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health announced April 6 sweeping changes to physician services for both facilities.

Physicians at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic have traditionally provided care to patients at North Shore Health, in addition to seeing patients at the clinic. However, according to the announcement made late Thursday afternoon, due to “physician shortages,” doctors at the clinic will no longer provide certain services at the hospital. Prior to the changes taking place, the hospital “is working to secure alternatives so that patients can continue to be admitted to observation, acute and swing bed services.” The changes take effect July 1.

According to local healthcare officials, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic has struggled to find doctors to replace physicians who are retiring, relocating, or reducing their workload. The clinic hired a recruitment firm and pursued a variety of other recruitment initiatives to no avail, according to a news release.

Since no viable candidates were secured after the extensive recruiting process, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic “can no longer both fulfill its primary care mission and provide care for patients being admitted to the hospital.”

These changes to the role local doctors play in the two healthcare facilities “will certainly change how patients are cared for while in the hospital,” according to Kimber Wraalstad, the administrator at North Shore Health. Wraalstad said that with the changes to local physicians and the role they play at the hospital “multiple avenues of care are being explored” that may include virtual services.

Meanwhile, local physicians will continue to admit patients to home care, residents to the care center, and provide colonoscopies on an outpatient basis, according to the news release.

Officials at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic maintain that, despite the changes, quality healthcare in the community remains the primary focus moving forward.

“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.”

Joe Friedrichs April 7, 2023