GRAND FORKS – Altru Health System’s acquisition of CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake has been officially approved by the Vatican, with the transition planned for March 1.
The announcement came on Wednesday, Dec. 17, after the Vatican approved the transfer of ownership from CommonSpirit Health, the current owner and operator of the Devils Lake hospital, to Altru.
“This transition reflects our shared commitment to ensuring rural communities have access to high-quality, sustainable health care close to home,” Altru CEO Todd Forkel said in a news release from Altru. “We are honored to welcome Devils Lake Hospital into the Altru family and to further our commitment to expanding health care for the residents of the Lake Region.”
Altru first announced it was working with CommonSpirit to acquire the hospital
, though discussions about the hospital changing hands had gained traction earlier in 2022, when Dick Johnson, at the time the mayor of Devils Lake,
about needed health care improvements.
“This transition reflects a thoughtful, community-focused approach to ensuring long-term access to care while supporting the teams who serve patients every day,” Tim Bricker, president of CommonSpirit Health’s Central Region, said in the release announcing the acquisition.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., also issued a statement on the acquisition, commending Altru, CommonSpirit and current Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe for their work in addressing community health care needs. Hoeven played a part in helping facilitate the acquisition by arranging community meetings between parties.
“We appreciate Altru and CommonSpirit for joining with us in this effort and for reaching agreement on the future of health care at the Devils Lake Hospital. Altru does a tremendous job and will provide quality health care for the entire Lake Region,” Hoeven said. “This is the result of tremendous collaboration. We thank Devils Lake Mayor Moe, Altru CEO Todd Forkel, Altru President Dr. Josh Deere, CommonSpirit Health Central Region President Tim Bricker, and everyone in the community who worked with us to identify solutions to the region’s health care needs and make this agreement a reality.”
Originally, Altru had hoped for a
of the Devils Lake facility. But that time frame came and went as Altru waited for CommonSpirit Health to get the faith-based hospital taken off the Catholic registry — an act that needed approval by an office at the Vatican.
Also earlier this year, Altru hired Tanner White to serve as CEO of the Devils Lake hospital, effective with the takeover. White previously was in health care in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving in multiple leadership roles with Avera Health. White already is in place in Devils Lake and will continue in that role as the acquisition becomes official.
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