It was the culmination of years of planning and more than four years of construction. A 2021 opening had been anticipated at a ceremonial groundbreaking in September 2018, but a change in construction managers during the course of the project as well as propane tank explosions in March 2019 slowed the progress.

With the construction completed in 2023, the facility’s opening has been transformational, not just for Minot’s patients and families, but for Trinity’s medical teams, according to Trinity Health.

Mary Muhlbradt, community relations coordinator for Trinity, said the new campus has created an environment in which advanced levels of care and continued excellence in healthcare will be sustained for generations to come.

Key areas include:

The first helicopter lands at Trinity’s new hospital.

– An enhanced emergency services department.

The new Emergency Trauma Center has treatment areas for adults, children and behavioral health patients. Muhlbradt says it is designed for maximum efficiency, allowing less acute patients to be treated quickly and allowing sicker patients to receive care in spacious, private surroundings while accommodating family members. A ramp guides ground ambulances and private vehicles to the second floor canopy-covered entrance.

– Integrated procedural platform.

An advanced interventional platform combines imaging, surgical and interventional services. Interventions for strokes, arrhythmias and heart attacks are delivered in minutes, allowing Trinity Health to exceed national benchmarks for critical door-to-balloon and stroke treatment times.

– Women’s and children’s services.

The new lab inside Trinity’s medical building offers state-of-the-art equipment.

The third floor of the new hospital is devoted to the Family Birth Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatrics, all situated in close range. The Birth Center has large rooms furnished with comfortable seating and pull-out beds for overnight guests. The new, advanced NICU has 22 bassinets and special rooms for twins and triplets. It also includes a room where families can “overnight” with their newborns before being discharged from the NICU.

– Patient privacy.

Muhlbradt said the hospital’s patient-centered care includes elements needed to maximize patient safety, comfort and privacy. A “front-of-house/back-of-house” innovative design is built into the hospital structure to shield patient care activity from public view. In addition, patient privacy is enhanced by the hospital having all private rooms.

Trinity obtained $380 million in Health Care Revenue Bonds through Ward County to assist with construction of the hospital and connected medical office building.

Now that Trinity has experienced most of a year in the new facility, Muhlbradt said, they are identifying opportunities beyond the original plan and vision.

“Our region needed this facility 30 years earlier, but we are grateful to the support of our board, our employees and our community for coming together to make this commitment to world-class healthcare a reality,” she said.

Trinity Health envisioned the new campus as part of a broader plan to revitalize the southwest area in collaboration with neighborhood development initiatives, she said. Opportunities for future development at the new campus include development of shelled space on the sixth floors of the hospital and medical office building and land designated for construction of a second Medical Office Building.

Through support from Trinity Health Foundation and donor partners, enhancements to the outdoor space at the Trinity complex are planned for summer 2024. The enhancements will be done in three phases.

A flag display and seating area will be constructed near the Medical Office Building entrance in phase one. The display was donated by the Minot Area Community Foundation’s Donald & Genevieve Roush Endowment Fund. This fund was established with the purpose of supporting veteran related projects throughout the community.

Phase two includes a brick patio area that will be placed to the north of the hospital entrance. This space will display bricks purchased in honor or memory of individuals and businesses throughout the region. This space will also serve as a serene outdoor seating area for visitors and staff. The donor of this space is Ryan Family Dealerships.

Phase three will add a park on the north end of the site to enhance the green space and offer an outdoor respite for visitors, staff, patients and area residents. The park will include a playground donated by Minot Junior Golf Association, a walking path with seating pods throughout and benches donated by Xcel Energy.

Future plans also call for completing a 2050 Master Site Facility Plan to include an advanced imaging center, cancer care center and outpatient healthcare retail and services.