Sanford Health celebrates 35 years in Detroit Lakes

The Detroit Lakes Community Medical Clinic opened its doors on Aug. 8, 1983, at a temporary location between St Mary’s hospital and nursing home. In October of that same year, the clinic moved into a new building on West Main.

On Nov. 22, 1985, Community Medical Clinic joined the regional clinic health network and officially changed its name to MeritCare Clinic of Detroit Lakes.

As part of a larger health system, MeritCare Detroit Lakes rapidly grew. On Oct. 31, 1986, clinic leaders broke ground on the current facility at 1245 Washington Avenue and opened the doors to the public on July 10, 1987. Since then, the clinic completed the space on the lower level and added a two-level addition to accommodate the community’s growing health care needs.

In November 2009, MeritCare Health Systems and Sanford Health merged to become the nation's largest, integrated rural health care systems. Along with the merger, MeritCare Detroit Lakes Clinic became known as Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic.

In June 2010, having outgrown its 30,000 square-foot building, the clinic broke ground on a $15 million expansion project which would double the facility's square footage. The project included two ambulatory surgical suites and an endoscopy suite, along with expanded radiology and lab services and more clinic space for primary and specialty care providers.

The next decade brought amazing growth and advances in health care to Detroit Lakes. But, it also brought unprecedented challenges with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the outstanding dedication of its staff and the support of the community, Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic has continued to deliver and expand its health care services in the region.

This spring, the clinic opened new outpatient dialysis center across from the main clinic. This new center has already had a significant impact on the lives of those who need these services and their families.

By end of 2020, the clinic will have added eight providers and six new areas of care: audiology, speech therapy, dermatology, pain and spine care, ENT and neurosurgery.

The clinic also has plans to build a new eye and optical center adjacent to the outpatient dialysis center, with a projected opening in the late spring of 2021. The current eye and optical center will be remodeled for a new dermatology and laser clinic. The anticipated completion of the remodel is summer 2021.

Change is inevitable to health care, but what hasn’t changed is Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic’s investment in the community. Clinic leaders, physicians and employees are proud to be celebrating its 35th anniversary and their contribution to improving the health and quality of life in Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area.