Hospitals in Duluth (transfer, closing, parking)

[hawaiiMD]

Hi, I'm considering a job in Duluth. I know there are 2 hospitals, St. Luke's and St. Mary's. How are these hospitals perceived in the community? Is one better than the other? I'm a male, single, MD so I don't care about their relative locations. I just want some info. And BTW, is it warmer near the water in the winter? Thanks for your help.

[bcgr]

Hi, I'm considering a job in Duluth.

I think both hospitals are laying off so I don't think one could easily get a job there.

Is one better than the other?

Hard to say, I've usually seen them as rather similar. St. Mary's is bigger and at least their main building looks really new and looks really expensive. However, I'm a bit biased towards St. Lukes because not only was I born there, but from personal experience they don't have as much bureaucratic problems as St. Mary's. But I really can't say because I've never really been to the hospital in a long time except for cleaning out parts of St. Lukes. Just be sure to throw your garbage in the garbage can-not on the floor.

And BTW, is it warmer near the water in the winter?

Often, but not enough that someone can really tell. Its usually just a couple degrees warmer.

so I don't care about their relative locations.

Well, the main buildings are all downtown and pretty close to each other even then.

[fromupthere]

I've worked at both and liked them equally. I've had children at both and liked them equally. I think there are a lot of people in the community who don't like St. Mary's because of it's size, and people believe they have power in the city. (I'm sure they have some pull as they are a large employer there.) People tend to favor one or the other in general though.

[bbtrips]

It's so funny, because my wife and I go to St. Luke's (went to St. Mary's - but our Doctors transferred to St. Luke's several years ago). Our two kids go to St. Mary's and we just love their doctors as well (which is why we just couldn't switch them over yet).

I was born at St. Luke's and it does have a smaller and more intimate feeling to it, but I can honestly say that they are both impressive facilities. Have seen several different specialists at both hospitals and have been pretty impressed by the quality of their staff. People think St. Mary's is 'less caring' because they're so big, but really, I have not noticed that. Only ran into a few doctors that were not caring - 2 at St. Mary's and one at St. Luke's.

I don't think you could go wrong with either one, to be honest.

[nateduluthnative]

Does anyone know when and if the next major building or expansion is planned at either hospital? It seems that the hospitals are one of the few areas in Duluth that have changed over the last couple decades.

[hawaiiMD]

Thank you all for the replies. I am sorry to hear about the lay offs. This seems to be a more common theme nowadays.
Is it correct to assume that people do not discriminate one hospital against the other? Do people in Duluth think that there are way too many hospitals? Is there any danger of any of the hospitals closing?

[fromupthere]

I believe some people in Duluth are discriminatory in regards to the hospitals. I wouldn't say it's an issue really though. I personally don't think there's any issue with the number of hospitals in Duluth. Really there's just the 2 and then one in Superior which is part of St. Mary's.

[newcastle]

I have been at both hospitals and have great care at both hospitals. My dr. at SMDC is wonderful and many of my family have had great care at St. Lukes.

I know a lot of people who work at both hospitals and more of my firends who work at St. Lukes have had a positive experience with management. One ENT dr at SMDC loves his job and the other ENT at SMDC hated his department and now works for a private pratcice. I'm sure it is no different than most other employers when it comes down to it.

No danger of either hospital closing.

[opifan]

Originally Posted by hawaiiMD

And BTW, is it warmer near the water in the winter? Thanks for your help.

I got a giggle out of that question, because the answer is really another question ... is there a major difference between 2 below zero and 4 below zero? In the winter, cold is all relative in MN.

There's a skyway between St. Mary's and the parking ramp, which is a minor bonus in the winter, and that's about all I can add to what's already been said.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by opifan

There's a skyway between St. Mary's and the parking ramp, which is a minor bonus in the winter, and that's about all I can add to what's already been said.

Well, to be exact, there is a skyway system connecting all of St.Mary's buildings/ramps and the Sheraton. You can get to all that SMDC offers without touching a road or sidewalk.