Group tour given at the Veterans Home in Bemidji

Bemidji Chamber of Commerce members were invited to the Bemidji Veterans Home that is being completed. Ground breaking ceremony was held in 2021 near the Sanford Health buildings located at 920 Anne St. NW.

Home Administrator Kevin Gish took the almost 100 people around who were there for the viewing the new facility. The 72-bed skilled nursing home includes private units and baths in four areas of 18 residents each. There are several features for the veterans that include a theater, meeting rooms, family dining room, chapel, club room and meditation room.

Adolfson and Peterson Construction Company sent a certificate of occupancy recently so they can begin the process of filling the home.

They have moved staff that has been hired from temporary office space to begin new employee orientation. 

They are waiting for the inspections from the State Department of Health Engineering and Licensing teams.

The cost of the home is 52 million dollars with 1/3 coming from the state and local and 2/3 from the Veterans Administration.

They will be starting with 24 residents after they have completed the federal VA survey. They are still interviewing for staff. 

Kevin Gish has been selected as the Administrator for the Minnesota Veterans Home. Kevin has more than 30 years’ administrative and operational experience in healthcare including at United Healthcare Corporation, North Memorial Medical Center, North Country Regional Hospital, Essentia Health and Health Dimensions Group. He most recently provided executive leadership of critical access hospital campuses including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and clinics. Kevin has been a Minnesota Licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 2011.

Kevin is a graduate of Bemidji State University (Bachelor’s) and the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management (Master’s in Healthcare Administration). He has lived in Bemidji since 1995 and is a native of Mahnomen.

The Director of Nursing position has been filled by Danni Churness of Clearbrook. Danni has been an RN for more than 12 years and has served as a Director of Nursing for 10 years. She is an experienced, compassionate and skilled leader, she has strong ties to this area of the state and is eager to build her clinical team from the ground up.

Assistant Director of Nursing  Billy Benson sait in a release, "They are an extended family to me, and I am looking forward to being part of a team to deliver excellent care to those individuals who have put their lives on the line in support of our great nation."

All Residents must require skilled nursing care. Eligible Residents come from two categories:

•Veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions from any branch of the U.S. armed forces and are a current resident of Minnesota.

• Spouses of eligible Veterans. Spouses must be at least 55 years old and meet residency requirements.

•Veterans or Veteran spouses must meet Minn. Stat. 197.447.

Residents contribute to the cost of their care according to their means. Additional information is available from our Veterans Benefits Coordinator. Applications are available from the Admissions Office.

County Veterans Service Officers are available to assist future residents with the admission application process.