Founded in 1989, the Big Stone Health Care Foundation has endeavored to provide outstanding health care for folks in West Central Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota.
“When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt
As many rural communities know, the costs of health care continue to grow, and many small hospitals and clinics have had to cut back on their services, or even close down. The Ortonville Area Health Services Board of Directors and other concerned citizens were determined to not let this happen in Ortonville. After two years of research and development, the Big Stone Health Care Foundation held its first meeting January 11, 1990. The Foundation continues to be governed by a board of seven members, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is fully bonded and insured.
Through the generosity of insightful individuals, over $1 million was pledged during the Foundation’s early years, which has been invested, creating an endowment fund which allows the Foundation to make real its intention to not only keep already established health care services, but to expand them as well.
We’re proud of the accomplishments, the quality and the scope of health care available in Big Stone County because of our financial assistance to Ortonville Area Health Services and other local health care organizations. Today, residents benefit from a six station dialysis center, a new outreach facility with five physicians, three Family Nurse Practitioners, a Physician’s Assistant, radiology and CT services, mobile diagnostic services, chemotherapy, 21 visiting specialists covering 17 fields, access to physical therapies, as well as a satellite clinic in Clinton, Minnesota. We’ve also financially assisted our 25 bed critical access hospital, Northridge Residence, a 64 bed Medicare-certified skilled care and rehab center and programs like home health, hospice and grief counseling.
With the continued generosity of our donors, the Big Stone Health Care Foundation anticipates many years of helping to provide the residents of West Central Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota with the exceptional health care that they need, are accustomed to and deserve.
Big Stone Health Care Foundation 