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History of Deer River HealthCare Center (DRHC)
The 501(c) 3 non-profit hospital was financed and built by the community of Deer River. Dedicated community leaders, who were committed to providing area residents with quality health care, close to home, began a fundraising and building campaign in 1956. They opened the doors to Community Memorial Hospital in 1961. While DRHC has grown dramatically to offer some of the latest technology in treating patients, our commitment to quality care, close to home remains as strong as it was over 40 years ago.
Just 12 years later, Homestead, a 45 bed nursing home opened in 1973. Homestead offers comprehensive healthcare services through direct access to 24-hour professional nursing care; physical, occupational , speech, respiratory and cardiac therapies; on-site hospital and clinic; registered dietician; and a broad range of activities set in a pleasantly decorated, homelike environment. Homestead was completely renovated in 2000.
In 1981, the first adult day stay program in Itasca County was opened at DRHC as Friendship Haven. Located in the Goodall Resource Center, Friendship Haven Adult Day Services, provides a daily program to serve the physical, social and emotional needs of adults 18 and older who have difficulty with independent living but do not require 24 hour care.
Silverline Bus was added to DRHC in 1985. Silverline Bus provides transportation for older adults and persons with disabilities. They completed one million miles in 2002.
Comstock Court, an assisted living, 30-unit apartment complex was built in 1990 on the DRHC campus. Spacious one or two bedroom apartments provide a comfortable home located close to family, friends, community and healthcare services.
In 1995, an attached clinic was built and leased by SMDC as the Deer River Clinic. Deer River Clinic is a family practice clinic and is connected to the Deer River HealthCare Center. Outreach services include - cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology and orthopedics.
In 1997, the facility was renamed Deer River HealthCare Center. The Helipad is also completed for the LifeFlight helicopter that provides trauma and medical flight transportation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The building of Goodall Resource Center was completed in June, 2000. The Center is connected to Homestead and houses several community programs including: Loving Hands child care center, Head Start, Food Shelf, Friendship Haven Adult Day Services, chiropractor, psychologists, and meeting rooms. Also completed in June was the construction of new administrative offices at DRHC.
In 2001, the new ambulance garage with living/sleeping quarters was completed. Also, the hospital core renovation which included the redesign of the surgical suite, lab, diagnostic services and central supply was completed.
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