The changing face of health care

We’re addressing two very big topics in the health care industry in this issue: home health care for seniors and medical marijuana. As we were putting this issue together, it struck me that while these two topics may seem to be unrelated other than their shared industry, they both also illustrate quite well the rapid and major changes that providers and patients are experiencing in U.S. health care.

This month, Minnesota becomes the 23rd state to allow residents with certain medical conditions to be prescribed marijuana as a treatment. In “A new option,” staff writer Kayla Prasek speaks with Minnesota Medical Solutions, one of the state’s two approved distributors and operator of the Moorhead dispensary, to learn more about its preparations and plans for the Moorhead facility. She also gets input from local physicians on the newly available treatment option and whether they plan to prescribe it to their patients.

Home health care is one of those services that you really don’t think about until you need it. Last fall, my husband and I were in exactly this position after we unexpectedly found ourselves seeking help for a family member. It was an overwhelming, stressful and often frustrating experience, despite the many nice people we met along the way. I’ve since met several fellow care-seekers who shared very similar tales. If you haven’t yet experienced the need and searched for home health care or assisted living, chances are you will soon. As our population ages most of us will eventually find ourselves either in need of care or selecting a provider to care for a loved one. And while the home health care industry admits it is experiencing accelerated demand and simultaneous workforce shortages, many providers feel confident they will be able to keep pace with an increasing customer base, thanks in part to technology advancements. Read, “Helping Them Stay Home,” for more.

You’ll also notice a bonus publication with your issue this month. Corporate Communities highlights some of the companies in our region who are proud to say they provide great work environments for their employees and needed services for our region’s businesses. We hope you’ll take a look and see for yourself some of the unique ways these employers are striving to be the best.

Speaking of the best, we’re also excited to announce that we’re currently accepting nominations for this year’s 50 Best Places to Work. Visit our website, prairiebizmag.com, and click on the “50 Best Companies” tab to complete an anonymous employee satisfaction survey. We’ll tally the results and announce the winners in our September issue. Remember, the more employees who participate, the better. Good luck!

KORRIE WENZEL, Publisher

KRIS BEVILL, Editor

KAYLA PRASEK, Staff Writer

BETH BOHLMAN, Circulation Manager KRIS WOLFF, Layout Design, Ad Design

Sales Director: JOHN FETSCH 701.212.1026 jfetsch@prairiebizmag.com

Sales:

BRAD BOYD western ND/western SD 800.641.0683 bboyd@prairiebizmag.com

NICHOLE ERTMAN eastern ND/western MN 800. 477.6572 ext. 1162 nertman@prairiebizmag.com

Editor: KRIS BEVILL 701.306.8561 kbevill@prairiebizmag.com

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Qualifying subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Subscriptions Free subscriptions are available online to qualified requestors at www.prairiebizmag.com

Address corrections

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Grand Forks, ND 58206-6008

Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebizmag.com

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