Astera Health (TCHC)

Astera Health is a private, not-for-profit 25-bed critical access Health system committed to providing personalized services that improve the Health of the communities we serve. An 11-member volunteer governing board presides over the hospital, which is accredited by the joint commission. Astera Health is equipped with intensive care units, surgery suites, labor and delivery suites, an inpatient unit, diagnostic x-ray, laboratory, respiratory therapy, physical and occupational therapy, chiropractic, and 24-hour emergency and ambulance care. Additionally, Astera Health operates six certified rural Health clinics in areas identified by state and federal agencies as Health professional shortage areas. As one of the largest employers in wadena county, our 369 (ftes) employees and 95 volunteers contribute to our patients and communities.astera Health is committed to improving the Health of the communities it serves by offering several classes, events, and support groups to educate and promote healthy living. Ems courses, injury prevention for athletes and adult classes, cpr classes, pregnancy classes, summer internship program, and our bite size conversation monthly lunch and learn program are just some of the free offerings available to the communities we serve. The Astera Health foundation provides student and staff scholarships as well as community grants to improve Health. Our uncompensated care (charity care) program provides discounted and free services to patients who lack the resources to be fully responsible for the healthcare they receive. Our financial assistance program (fap) is published online, and our patient financial advocates assist those in need of using the fap.the community paramedic outreach program serves patients at risk of using the er or inpatient unit for primary care services. The program helps them find more appropriate resources for their medical needs, conducting 368 visits during 2022, reducing the cost of care for those individuals. Astera Health serves as a clinical rotation site for nursing students and for radiology and laboratory technicians from area technical colleges, participating as preceptor sites for medical schools including the rural physician associate program and summer internship in medicine, as well as providing campus-based preceptor physicians to the university of minnesota-duluth and st. Cloud residency programs.