DEVILS LAKE – Altru Health System in Grand Forks will acquire the Devils Lake Hospital following recent approval from the Vatican, according to U.S. Sen. John Hoeven.

As part of his efforts to address community concerns and ensure quality health care in the region, Hoeven said, he worked to secure the acquisition agreement between Altru and CommonSpirit Health to the benefit of both patients and health care providers.

“We appreciate Altru and CommonSpirit for joining with us in this effort and for reaching agreement on the future of health care at the Devils Lake Hospital. Altru does a tremendous job and will provide quality health care for the entire Lake Region,” Hoeven said in a news release.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Devils Lake hospital team to Altru and to continue our commitment of strengthening care for the residents of the Lake Region,” said Todd Forkel, CEO at Altru Health System in the release.

“Reaching this point has taken patience, partnership and a shared focus on what’s best for Devils Lake,” said Tim Bricker, president of CommonSpirit Health’s Central Region.

Hoeven had arranged three community meetings across 2023 and 2024 with local residents, regional leaders, including from Spirit Lake Tribe, and health care providers to gather feedback and address community concerns. He met with CommonSpirit Health CEO Wright Lassiter III in Washington, D.C., where the senator secured a commitment to work towards a solution. CommonSpirit subsequently undertook a $10 million renovation of the hospital’s emergency department.

Dozens of discussions also were held involving Bricker, Forkel and Devils Lake Mayor Jim Moe to advance this priority, Hoeven said.