Grand Forks-based Altru Health System unveils new vision, values and mission

Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

Jan. 15—GRAND FORKS — With the opening of its new hospital scheduled for a little more than a year from now, Altru Health System this month has revealed a new in-house mission, vision and a set of values.

"With less than one year left until we move into our new hospital, now is the time for Altru to redefine our mission, vision and values," Todd Forkel, Altru's CEO, said in a release sent to the media. "We chose this mission because it simply explains what our team does best: making a difference for those we care for."

Altru's new mission is "Making a difference for those we care for." Its new vision is "The relentless pursuit of excellence for the health of our community." And its new values include four bullet points:

* Be kind to everyone.

* Go above and beyond.

* Do the right thing.

* Win as a team.

The release sent to the media noted that "the new mission, vision and values can be applied to how Altru team members treat patients, co-workers and people in the community."

Altru is in the midst of a $470 million project to construct a new hospital, located just north of its current location. The seven-story building is roughly 80% complete. It is expected to begin accepting patients in 2025.

In a report late last month, the Herald noted that in the past year, Altru saw a number of successes in 2023, including "including a rise in employee engagement, an operating margin that surpasses national peers, a four-star national ranking for the first time ever and recognition for excellence in maternity and cardiology care." Also, Forkel was named the Herald's 2023 Person of the Year, in recognition of the health system's achievements since mid-2022.

Upon winning, Forkel said credit goes "to the 3,400 (employees) who wear our badge." He then hinted at the as-yet-unannounced new company values by saying that at Altru, it's important to "win as a team."

Altru's release to the media said "the new mission, vision and values can be applied to how Altru team members treat patients, co-workers and people in the community."

"Care doesn't stop at the exit of our hospital and clinics," Forkel said. "Our team makes a difference in a variety of ways, including in our community. We want our mission, vision and values to reflect the larger impact our organization continues to make."