Minnesota Rural Palliative Care Initiative
Bemidji Team

Bemidji was one of ten rural areas in Minnesota selected to participate in Stratis Health’s Minnesota Rural Palliative Care initiative to establish or strengthen palliative care programs in their communities.
                                                                                                                     Palliative care is a special kind of care for individuals and families who are living with advanced or life-threatening illness/disease.  The goal of palliative care is to achieve the highest quality of life possible during medical treatment and care.  It consists of coordinated care including management of pain and physical symptoms, care and sympathy for emotional suffering, and loss and bereavement.

Bemidji State University Department of Nursing, GoldPine Home, North Country Home Care and Hospice, and North Country Regional Hospital are working together to develop and implement an action plan for enhancing a palliative care program in our community.
                                                                                                                            We would like to extend an invitation to converse with groups and organizations in Bemidji.  We have several topics we could focus our conversations around such as:                           
• Defining Palliative Care
• Your Quality of Life - Speaking with your Physician
• Advanced Directives- Speaking with your Family

We could also tailor our discussion to a specific topic of your choice.  We have brochures that further explain Palliative Care and offer additional resources to explore.  It is our pleasure to provide these services at no cost.

If you are interested in either a visit from one of our members or a brochures, you may contact: Mark-Papke Larson, Chaplain at 218-333-5652.