Essentia Health in works to acquire CommonSpirit CHI facilities The Duluth-based health care system has signed a letter of intent for several CHI hospitals, clinics and living communities in Minnesota and North Dakota. Written By: Laura Butterbrodt | × Essentia Health in Duluth as seen in July. (Tyler Schank / 2020 file / News Tribune) Essentia Health and CommonSpirit Health announced Friday the health systems have signed a letter of intent for Essentia to acquire CommonSpirit-owned facilities operating under the CHI brand in North Dakota and Minnesota. According to a release from Essentia and Common Spirit, the facilities could join Essentia by the summer. The discussions include the following Minnesota CHI Health facilities: LakeWood Health in Baudette, St. Francis Health in Breckenridge, St. Joseph’s Health Park Rapids and St. Gabriel’s Health in Little Falls.