Forward Health Foundation

Forward Health Foundation Our Mission: Working to build a healthy and vibrant community together.

We are deeply grateful to Phill Hermel and the Boar Pig Cancer Fighting Team for their generosity, dedication, and conti...
06/11/2026

We are deeply grateful to Phill Hermel and the Boar Pig Cancer Fighting Team for their generosity, dedication, and continued support of the Forward Health Foundation’s Jim Tarbell Cancer Care Fund.

Your commitment helps us provide meaningful support to local individuals and families facing cancer, offering hope, relief, and strength during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Partnerships like yours allow us to carry this mission forward and support our neighbors now and in the years ahead.

Thank you, Phill and the entire Boar Pig Cancer Fighting Team, for standing with our community and making a lasting impact.

Party in the Park Is Back!Mark your calendar for a can’t miss community celebration.• Date: August 8, 2026• Time: 9:00 A...
06/09/2026

Party in the Park Is Back!

Mark your calendar for a can’t miss community celebration.
• Date: August 8, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: White Oak Tractor Club, Deer River, MN

Join us for a fun filled, family friendly day of connection, excitement, and community spirit. Local organizations, vendors, and neighbors will come together for a memorable summer celebration.

What to Expect
o Live entertainment
o Delicious food
o Face painting
o Balloon creations
o Bike raffle
o Exhibits and rides
o And much more

Just a Sample of Vendors
• DR Farmer & Artisan Market
• Essentia Health
• First Call for Help
• Itasca SWAT
• New Beginnings
• Swooning Loon Fly Fishing
• U.S. Forest Service
• MN State Life Flight
• And many more

Bring the whole family, invite your friends, and celebrate everything that makes our community special.

Don’t miss it, Party in the Park is the place to be this summer!

Evening with Meaning UpdateTickets for the Forward Health Foundation’s upcoming Evening with Meaning are now on sale. We...
06/08/2026

Evening with Meaning Update

Tickets for the Forward Health Foundation’s upcoming Evening with Meaning are now on sale. We hope you’ll join us for an enjoyable evening at Malbay Estate.

This special event brings our community together to support local healthcare initiatives in Deer River and the surrounding area. We look forward to an inspiring evening centered on connection, purpose, and community wellness.

Food & Beverages:
• Hors d’oeuvres will be served by Timberlake Lodge.
• Deer River Vets Club and Lady Sippers will offer alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages through a cash bar.
• Desserts will be provided by the Chocolate Dog.

Here’s a preview of a few of our silent auction donors:
• Eagles Nest Lodge
• Heart & Hooves Horsemanship Arena
• Geiger’s Resort
• Deer River Health Clinic Volunteers
• Northern Star Cooperative
• Blueberry Hills Golf Course
• …and many more

How to Purchase Tickets:
• Online: Purchase tickets through our website.
• In Person: Stop by the Forward Health Foundation office in Deer River to buy tickets directly.

Each year, Essentia Health professionals go above and beyond to support the health and wellbeing of our community, makin...
06/01/2026

Each year, Essentia Health professionals go above and beyond to support the health and wellbeing of our community, making a lasting impact where it matters most.

The Cornerstone Fund was established in 2014 to support employee funded, employee directed projects and improvements at the Deer River and Grand Rapids facilities. Its name comes from the first cornerstone laid during the original hospital building project in 1958, a community led effort that reflects the determination and spirit of Deer River and the surrounding area.

The Cornerstone Fund is the employee giving arm of the Forward Health Foundation. Donations support special projects at Essentia Health Deer River and Grand Rapids, with 100% of funds raised going directly to those efforts. Every dollar stays within our facilities and is not used for operating expenses.

Through an annual campaign, employees submit ideas for projects that could improve patient care or enhance the patient experience. Cornerstone donors then choose which projects or items to fund. Employees can support the fund through a onetime gift or payroll deduction in \$1 increments.

The Forward Health Foundation helps manage the funds, provide tax deductible receipts, and support project implementation.

Community supporting community!!

Tickets Now Available: Evening with Meaning.The Forward Health Foundation is pleased to announce that tickets for our up...
06/01/2026

Tickets Now Available: Evening with Meaning.

The Forward Health Foundation is pleased to announce that tickets for our upcoming Evening with Meaning event are now officially on sale.

This special evening brings our community together in support of local healthcare initiatives and meaningful impact across Deer River and the surrounding areas. We look forward to an inspiring event filled with connection, purpose, and shared commitment to strengthening community wellness.

How to Purchase Tickets:
• Online: Visit our website to conveniently purchase your tickets.
• In Person: Stop by the Forward Health Foundation office in Deer River to purchase tickets directly.

Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to sharing an unforgettable evening with you.

The Forward Health Foundation is proud to kick off the Summer of 2026 in great fashion! Over the past week, we’ve had th...
06/01/2026

The Forward Health Foundation is proud to kick off the Summer of 2026 in great fashion!

Over the past week, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to support several local organizations that are making a meaningful impact across our community.

We’re excited to partner with the Itasca Area Community Education Program, which provides a wide range of year-round opportunities from youth programs like summer strength and conditioning, to adult enrichment and early childhood education. This year, we were proud to help repair and expand the community garden at King Elementary creating a space for learning, growth, and connection.

We’re also looking forward to the 77th Annual World’s Largest Wild Rice Festival, hosted by the Deer River Lions Club, coming up July 10–12, 2026! This beloved community tradition brings people together for carnival rides, Pow Wow, live music, parades, bingo, and of course, the famous wild rice meals.

Additionally, we are grateful to support Itasca Youth for Christ, an organization dedicated to mentoring and building meaningful relationships with youth throughout Itasca County. Their commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental spaces is making a lasting difference in the lives of young people.

At Forward Health Foundation, we believe strong communities are built through collaboration, and investment in one another.

We’re honored to make a positive impact together.

Forward Health Foundation Proudly Supports King Elementary Track & Field DaysAt Forward Health Foundation, we are incred...
05/20/2026

Forward Health Foundation Proudly Supports King Elementary Track & Field Days

At Forward Health Foundation, we are incredibly proud to support the King Elementary 4th & 5th Grade Track & Field Days, an event that truly showcased the energy, determination, and spirit of our community’s youth.

From start to finish, these students demonstrated exceptional effort, sportsmanship, and perseverance. Whether sprinting to the finish line, cheering on their classmates, or pushing themselves to try something new, each student represented the very best of what it means to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

It was great to see not only their athletic abilities, but also their teamwork, encouragement of one another, and positive attitudes throughout the day. Events like these are a powerful reminder of how important it is to invest in opportunities that promote physical activity, confidence, and community connection at a young age.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the teachers, staff, and volunteers who made this event possible, and to the students who gave it their all!

Forward Health Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen the health and well-being of our communities, starting with our youth.

Great job, King Elementary students, your hard work and enthusiasm truly stood out!

Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients!The Forward Health Foundation is proud to recognize three outstanding students who are p...
05/14/2026

Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients!

The Forward Health Foundation is proud to recognize three outstanding students who are pursuing futures in healthcare and service to others.

The Byron Hoffman DDS & Rose Hoffman RN Health Care Training Scholarship honors the incredible legacy of Byron and Rose Hoffman, who generously gave their time, skills, and resources to support their community in International Falls, MN. This scholarship continues to be funded each year by an anonymous donor in their memory.

This year’s recipient: Ariahana Schjenken

We are also excited to award the Deer River High School Health and Career Scholarships, supporting local students as they take the next steps toward meaningful careers that strengthen rural health.

This year’s recipients: Kierra Miller and Sarah Stangler

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students, we are excited to see the difference you will make!

When Phill Hermel is involved, great things happen!We’re excited to share his latest effort to support our community, an...
04/27/2026

When Phill Hermel is involved, great things happen!

We’re excited to share his latest effort to support our community, another incredible example of leadership, generosity, and bringing people together for a great cause. Events like this don’t just happen on their own; they’re built by passionate individuals and supported by communities that care.

If you’re able, we encourage you to connect with Phil and his team to see how you can get involved. Whether it’s through sponsorship, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps make a meaningful impact.

Let’s rally together and continue building a stronger, healthier community!

The Countdown is ON for Party in the Park 2026! As we gear up for an unforgettable day on August 8th at the White Oak Tr...
04/22/2026

The Countdown is ON for Party in the Park 2026!

As we gear up for an unforgettable day on August 8th at the White Oak Tractor Club in Deer River, we want to take a moment to send a HUGE thank you to our incredible sponsors! Your support is what makes this event possible and helps us bring our community together in such a meaningful way.

This year’s event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, with something for everyone in the family to enjoy!
Live Entertainment, Delicious Food, Fun Rides, Exciting Raffles, Community Resources …and SO much more!! The list keeps growing!

We’re beyond excited to celebrate with all of you and create another amazing day filled with fun, connection, and community spirit.

Interested in being part of this incredible event? There’s still time! If your organization would like to participate, please reach out to the Forward Health Foundation.

Let’s make Party in the Park 2026 the best one yet!

Address

8 First Street NE, PO Box 367
Deer River, MN
56636

Telephone

+12182464212

Website

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