Cass Lake Hospital

Certified Health Care Home

The Cass Lake Indian Health Service Unit is owned and operated by the Federal Government as a Public Health Service, Indian Health Service Facility. The Service Unit has an active user population of 12,000 clients and provides over 200 full-time jobs in the community.

The Service Unit operates a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and Outpatient Ambulatory Care Clinic that offers Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Radiology, Rehabilitation Services, Audiology, Podiatry, and Optometry Services. Cass Lake IHS also provides 24/7 access to Emergency Care services.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe manages the Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse programs, a Diabetes Center, EMS ambulance service, and Public Health Nursing at six community-based clinics on the reservation.

Mission Statement

Working together to promote health and well-being is the mission of the Cass Lake Indian Hospital and Clinic.

Vision Statement

Cass Lake Indian Hospital will be a model facility and the first choice for quality health care. By using an innovative approach to promote health and well-being, our team will encourage customers to participate in health care decisions.

Tribal Information

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Website  Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Hospital Services

Certified Health Care Home

Minnesota Department of Health has certified Cass Lake Hospital as a Health Care Home (HCH). This is an important step for transformation to higher quality primary care.

This certification means that Cass Lake Hospital has met a set of rigorous standards to provide patient and family-centered care and will continue working to improve the quality, experience, and value of care.

Health Care Homes provides complete care ranging from disease prevention to management of complex and chronic conditions. Our healthcare teams are dedicated to meeting the highest standards for health care delivery. Certified HCH clinics offer a team-based approach to primary care that makes it easier for patients to communicate and partner with their healthcare team.

Cass Lake Hospital is proud to announce that we are certified by the Minnesota Department of Health as a Level 3 HCH. This means that we have advanced the care model beyond the Foundational Level to address population health that includes: working to reduce disparities, enhance health equity, and strengthen partnerships across the community. By reaching level 3, we have done considerable work to integrate care delivery with the community, including contributing to the community health needs assessment and population health improvement process, as well as playing a role in implementing and monitoring the progress of community health improvement efforts.

The goals of the model are to:

• Continue building a strong primary care foundation to ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to receive team-based, coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Increase care coordination and collaboration between primary care clinicians and community resources to support whole person care and facilitate the broader goals of improving population health and health equity.
• Improve the quality, experience, and value of care.

Cass Lake Hospital Jobs, or search USA Jobs: USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .

Community Information

The Leech Lake Reservation is located in Minnesota’s Northwoods region. Towering pines fringe many of the lakes found within its boundaries with wild rice beds, deep forests, shimmering lakes and an abundance of plant and animal life that make this area a center for recreation. The reservation is approximately 1,050 square miles in size- nearly all of which lies within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest.

The greater Leech Lake area has much to offer whether it is recreation, education or culture. The diversity of recreational activities provides year-round possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts. In the summer, experience freshwater fishing, hunting, boating and camping. In the winter, explore the Northwoods on skis,, by snowmobile, or experience fishing on a frozen lake. The area boasts excellent primary, secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities. While Leech Lake’s natural beauty, civic attractions, and recreational activities are things to behold, they pale in comparison to the friendliness of the people who live in the area. The population within the reservation boundaries was recorded as 11,189 during the 2022 census. The resident American Indian population on the reservation has been estimated at 4,119.Most of the population is concentrated in eight communities dispersed across the reservation.

Housing

Adjacent to the Leech Lake Reservation, there are three major economic centers: Bemidji, which is 13 miles to the west of Cass Lake; Grand Rapids, which lays 54 miles to the east of Cass Lake; and Walker, roughly 23 miles to the south of Cass Lake. Most of the health care professionals and staff reside in and around Bemidji (the 1st City on the Mississippi and a growing community), which is a short 15-20 minute commute. The education system includes a number of private, charter, and public schools. In addition, Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, and Oak Hills Christian College offer educational and cultural opportunities.

Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Schools

Bemidji Public Schools Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-333-3100

Cass Lake Public Schools Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-335-2203

Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-665-3000

Bemidji State University Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-755-2001

Northwest Technical College Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-333-6600

Leech Lake Tribal College Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Phone: 218-335-4200

Recent and Planned Facility Expansions and Improvements

The facility has long history in the Cass Lake community. Originally constructed in 1937, Cass Lake Hospital has been renovated and expanded multiple times throughout its history. Cass Lake Indian Health Service (CLIHS), in collaboration with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (LLBO), has partnered to make each expansion and improvement a high priority. The team has carefully planned to improve access and the patient experience with the goal of making this facility the first choice for quality healthcare for the community we serve.

In 2010 the CLIHS was listed as a priority site for Indian Health Care Delivery Demonstration Projects which were established under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and later re-authorized under the Affordable Care Act to expand the availability of services, reduce burden on Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program, and the need for emergency room visits. The CLIHS is committed these goals and has partnered with the LLBO to meet them.

The Phase 1 Expansion and Improvements to the CLIHS was the construction of a 28,000 square foot clinical addition and 8,000 square foot remodel project. The project was completed in several sub-phases over multiple years from 2014 to 2017 and included a major expansion of the Outpatient and Walk-In clinics provide a brand new facility for our patients’ primary medical home. The new clinic features a covered main entrance, new registration, lobbies, and patient care rooms, and expansions to the pharmacy, lab, physical therapy, medical records departments. Improvements to the existing facility included interior renovations and updates, as well as replacement of the roof, ventilation system, and other mechanical components.

Construction Phases

Moving forward and keeping the expansion and improvement of the facility a priority, the CLIHS partnered with the LLBO to complete a Facility Master Plan and Contract for the Design and Construction for Phase 2 Expansions and Improvements. This includes multiple expansions, renovations, site and utility infrastructure improvements to the facility and is divided into 4 sub-phases and timelines:

• Phase 2.1 – 13,000 Square Foot Property and Supply Addition includes new Receiving, Central Supply, Biomedical and IT service areas, site improvements and utility and infrastructure for Phases 2.2-2.4. This phase was completed in 2020.
• Phase 2.2 – The Cass Lake IHS continues to partner with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to make improvements to the facility and access to quality health care for our patients. Starting 2022, the Phase 2.2 portion of the facility expansion has begun. This large capital project, a $40M investment to improve the healthcare for the community, consists of approximately 64,000 new square feet for the facility and is scheduled for completion in 2024. The construction is occurring via a Public Law 638 Construction Contract between the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Indian Health Service. Staff began occupying this space in January of 2025.
  

It will include the following:

• Ground Level:
  1. All Outpatient Services will now be moved to the east side of the facility where patients can access the clinic through  the main clinic entrance to improve the patient experience.
  2. Purchased Referred Care (PRC) Department, along with expanded Patient Benefits and Registration staff  are located at the east clinic entrance as well.
  3. Facilities Maintenance Shop and Garage Space expanded and provide office and storage space for the Facilities team and garage space for fleet vehicles.
  4. Parking and site improvements  increased patient parking at the clinic entrance and staff parking on the campus.
  5. Infrastructure and mechanical equipment replacements increased improving energy efficiencies throughout the facility and campus.
• Main Level: 
  1. Radiology Department, will add CT capacity in addition to the x-ray, mammography, bone density, and ultrasound services already offered.  This is the first area patients see upon entering the main level of the new space.
  2. Walk-in Clinic is now located next to the new Radiology Department and near the current Lab and Pharmacy with 8 exam spaces.
  3. Rehab Services Department expanded.  With the addition of new space, the team is working to add cardiac rehabilitation services.

Radiology Services, Walk-in Clinic, and Rehab Services Waiting Room
• Upper Level:
  1. Dental Clinic is expanding its dental capacity from 9 to 16 chairs and will include four private operatories and a large handicap accessible operatory. This expanded space will allow for department growth and increase the access to dental care for our patients. The current dental clinic will remain open while this new space is constructed to allow for a smooth transition into the new space.  Goal move in date is April-May 2025
  2. Helipad The existing ground helipad will be replaced by a new Helipad that willallow for a safer flight path a more secure loading location. The facility will continue to operate an on-ground helipad until this new one is placed in service.

Dental Front Desk
• Lower Level:
  1. Health Information Management (Medical Records and Release of Information) is now available within the Outpatient area making the department more accessible to patients.
  2. Optometry more than doubled exam and technician work spaces and new equipment modernizes care provided in the new space.
  3. Audiology more than doubled exam and work spaces as well.  A much larger sound booth and new equipment will improvepatient care and access.
  4. Sterilization moved to a new space that will replace many smaller spaces that were located across the facility.   The new equipment increased sterilization efficiency and improved internal processes for patient care departments.
  5. Meeting / Conference Space provides much needed additional space for trainings and meetings.

Phase 3.0 design work began in early 2025 with plans to build out a new Emergency Department (ED); move and build a new Emergency Management Services (ambulance) garage; sleeping quarters and training space; and build a drive-through pharmacy.  Space that was vacated during 2.2, as well as space vacated in this next phase will be remodeled and repurposed, including the addition of an 8 bed Inpatient wing, Business Office,  Finance,,  and Administration.