A short history of Community Memorial Hospital (CMH)

 1958  CMH opened its doors on July 27, 1958 on land donated by the Northwest Paper Company (now Sappi). Its opening was the realization of a community dream. Residents and local businesses worked hard to secure funding for the hospital, guided by the belief that “local healthcare is as essential as fire and police protection.” 

2004 In 2004, CMH broke ground on a major renovation project. Updates included the construction of a new emergency department, new surgical suites, a new imaging department, and a remodeled laboratory. The project was funded in part through financial support from the local community, who shared in our mission of providing 21st century care.  

2005 CMH was officially designated a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) on January 1, 2005.  

2013 At the completion of phase two in 2013, over 80,000 square feet had been added to the original hospital. Phase two added a new inpatient unit (including private rooms & intensive care), an infusion therapy center, CMH Specialty Clinic, a cafeteria, meeting rooms, a chapel, and an expanded gift shop.  

2020 In January 2020, CMH merged with Raiter Family Clinic, which had operated independently across the street from CMH since 1960.  

Today Now, CMH is more than just a hospital. It’s an independent healthcare campus that provides access to high quality primary and specialty care for Carlton County and beyond.  

What is a critical access hospital (CAH)?

A critical access hospital is a designation assigned to eligible rural hospitals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In 1997, the U.S. Congress created this designation in response to over 400 rural hospital closures in previous years. The goal of the designation is to reduce financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by providing essential services in rural communities. As a CAH, CMH is continuously evaluating the benefits and resources at our disposal to ensure we are providing local access to critical healthcare services for our neighbors.