Essentia Health Celebrates 80 Years

DULUTH - Essentia Health celebrated its 80th birthday with an open house Thursday.

Guests had the opportunity to reflect on the rich and vital history of the hospital serving people in Duluth and the Northland.

The hospital, which opened in 1934, began as Miller Memorial Hospital, named after benefactor Andreas Mitchell Miller.

"It had 50 beds and it has, over the years, turned into a 165 bed hospital focusing on some very unique patient groups here providing very specialized care," said Barb Wessberg, hospital administrator for Essentia Health Duluth.

In 1968, a $2.4 million gift from philanthropist Mary C. Dwan added 115 beds and created the hospital's Burn Unit.

The hospital was renamed Miller-Dwan Hospital and Medical Center in 1971.

Upon Dwan's death in 1973, an additional $2.7 million bequest established the Miller-Dwan Foundation.

Mary M. Dwan, the daughter-in-law of Mary C. Dwan, continued the family legacy with financial support for Solvay Hospice House and Amberwing – Center for Youth & Family Well-being.

In 2001, the hospital joined the St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic system. In 2010, it became part of Essentia Health and was renamed Essentia Health-Duluth.