Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center
5211 Highway 110, Aurora, MN 55705 · St. Louis County · (218) 229-2211
33 certified beds, about 31 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1987
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 245469 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 28, 2026, inspectors cited 0 health deficiencies (the Minnesota average is 7.1, the national average 9.2).
None of its 5 health citations since October 2023 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.67 hours per resident per day, against 4.19 across Minnesota and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.08 of those hours.
22.6% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Minnesota average 42.2%).
CMS links it to Essentia Health, an affiliated group of 6 nursing homes.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 5 health citations on file.
January 28, 2026Standard inspection · 0 citations
January 30, 2025Standard inspection · 0 citations
October 25, 2023Standard inspection · 5 citations
- F Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to submit the payroll-based journal system (PB&J) staffing data to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This had the potential to affect all 30 residents residing in the facility.
- D Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure resident resuscitation wishes were correctly identified in the electronic health record (EHR) based on signed advanced directives for 1 of 16 residents (R8) who's advance directives were reviewed.
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to provide assistance with morning cares for 1 of 4 residents (R23) reviewed for activities of daily living (ADLs) and who was dependent on staff for care.
- D Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure urinary catheter care was provided, to prevent contamination and potential urinary tract infection (UTI) for 1 of 1 residents (R22) reviewed for catheter cares.
- D Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to provide the most recent Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) education regarding the potential risks and benefits of the pneumococcal vaccine for 2 of 5 residents (R8, R10) reviewed for pneumococcal and influenza immunizations
Fire safety inspections
17 fire safety citations on file: 5 on January 28, 2026, 8 on January 30, 2025, 4 on October 25, 2023.
Every fire safety citation17 citations
- F Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- D To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- D Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- F Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
- F Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
- F Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- D Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.67 | 4.19 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.08 | 1.06 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.99 | 3.71 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.40 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.19 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 22.6% | 42.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 11.1% | 38.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 2.86 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 3.94 on weekdays and 2.99 on weekends, 24% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.52 in April to June 2025 to 3.67 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.67 | 1.08 | 3.94 | 2.99 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 31 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.60 | 1.01 | 3.88 | 2.90 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 32 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.67 | 1.12 | 3.97 | 2.90 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 32 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.52 | 1.02 | 3.82 | 2.77 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 32 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Minnesota, Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.19 | 1.05 | 4.38 | 3.73 | 5.2% | 0.8% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Staff pay reports
Staff pay at this home
No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review.
Official wage estimates for Minnesota
| Job | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota, all employers | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $22.44 | $19.39 to $23.72 | 29,120 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $30.65 | $28.83 to $34.26 | 12,840 |
| Registered nurses | $48.80 | $42.76 to $55.17 | 70,110 |
| United States, nursing care facilities | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $20.67 | $17.91 to $22.55 | 534,270 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $33.86 | $30.05 to $37.40 | 188,210 |
| Registered nurses | $41.11 | $37.85 to $47.68 | 142,270 |
Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.0 | 18.2 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.5 | 20.5 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 17.1 | 15.4 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: NORTHERN PINES MEDICAL CENTER. CMS links this home to Essentia Health, a group of 6 nursing homes averaging 4.3 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentia Health | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 07/01/2023 |
| Aronson Norr, Nancy | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Bachand, Adam | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Bergstrom, Amy | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Duininck, Troy | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Jamar, Thomas | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Loban, George | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Sertich, Anthony | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Smith, Bruce | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Terch, Justin | Corporate director | Individual | 10/22/2025 | |
| Urbanski, Rebecca | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Yung, Anthony | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Boren, Kevin | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/04/2022 | |
| Skorupa, Krista | Corporate officer | Individual | 05/06/2024 | |
| Watters, Michael | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| St. Marys Duluth Clinic Health System | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 07/01/2023 | |
| Boren, Kevin | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Kallberg, Diana | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Whiting, Christopher | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Essentia Health | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/28/2025 | |
| St. Marys Duluth Clinic Health System | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/28/2025 | |
| Boren, Kevin | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Kallberg, Diana | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2024 | |
| Whiting, Christopher | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2024 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on October 25, 2023: "Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable."
- Who is the administrator and director of nursing, and how long have they been in the job?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on October 25, 2023: "Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on October 25, 2023: "Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on October 25, 2023: "Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.99 hours per resident per day, below the Minnesota average of 3.71.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- The Waterview Woods LLC Eveleth, 15 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 36 citations
- Essentia Health Virginia Care Cent Virginia, 15 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- The Waterview Pines LLC Virginia, 15.1 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 39 citations
Minnesota contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Minnesota. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- State inspection reports: MDH Nursing and Boarding Care Home Survey and Complaint Inspection Findings, where Minnesota publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center get at its last inspection?
- 0 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 28, 2026. The Minnesota average is 7.1.
- Has Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center?
- CMS lists 24 owners and managers, and links the home to Essentia Health. Legal business name: NORTHERN PINES MEDICAL CENTER.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.