First District Health is soliciting proposals from qualified mechanical contractors for the removal and replacement of an existing Air Handling Unit (AHU) and condensing unit located in the 1995 section of the building, Minot, ND. The selected contractor will provide all labor, materials, equipment, and services necessary to complete the project as outlined in this RFP. The submission deadline is August 18, 2026.
All students grades 6 – 12 are invited to join the Minot Area Student Vaping Task Force for a day of leadership, learning, and fun! Healthy Lives, Healthy Minds will be an exciting, interactive experience where your voice matters. The event will take place Thursday, April 30, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Minot City Auditorium Room 201. Heather Austin of Tobacco Free North Dakota will be the featured speaker. Light refreshments will be provided, there will be exciting door prizes and giveaways, and each student will get a free T-shirt. Register now for an experience to remember!
First District Health Unit’s Minot Area Community Resource Guide is now available electronically. Feel free to print or distribute as needed. If you need the document in an alternate format, call us at 701.852.1376 and ask for the Communications Department. If you find any inaccurate information or if you would like to suggest a resource to add, please email us.
The Joint Board of County Commissioners for First District’s seven county service area will meet to discuss the budget on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 4:30pm. The meeting will be in the First District Health Unit Conference Room and is open to the public. The agenda can be found here.
First District is holding the Breastfeeding Basics class on August 4th at 3:00 at the Minot office. Whether you are a breastfeeding mom or a mother-to-be, this class can help make feeding easier! You’ll learn:
- how to help your baby get a good latch;
- how to know if baby is getting enough;
- what to expect in the first weeks;
- tips for pumping;
- and more!
Register Now! You can also call 701.852.1376 Option 5 for more information or to register by phone. A support person is welcome with every attendee with no added registration needed. Give yourself the best chance of success and sign up today!
Concerned about measles? Here are a few things to know:
The best way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated against the virus and remaining vigilant in monitoring your health. Vaccination does more than protect one person; it also helps protect those who can’t be vaccinated, like infants under a year of age, people who have a weakened immune system, and unvaccinated pregnant women. First District Health Unit offers measles vaccinations by appointment. First District Health Unit can not do measles testing.
Children are the most susceptible to measles, especially those under 5 years of age. This is especially true of unvaccinated children. Although it isn’t impossible for a vaccinated person to contract measles, the vaccine is 97% effective and very safe.
Symptoms of the measles may include: fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth, and/or red spots that typically begin on the face and hairline and spread downwards. If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms, immediately call your healthcare provider for more information. DO NOT go to a walk-in clinic or your provider’s office without calling first. Measles is extremely contagious.
November is National Prematurity Awareness Month, bringing attention to the health of mothers and babies affected by preterm birth, with a goal of reducing the number of premature babies born. Preterm birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. It’s the second leading cause of infant death before age one.
How can preterm birth be prevented?
- Prenatal Provider Visits: It’s very important to work with a medical provider who can identify any problems or needs as early as possible.
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products: Smoking and tobacco use increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth-weight.
- Enroll in a program to help: First District offers a number of programs to help ensure your baby is born healthy and on time:
- Optimal Pregnancy Outcome Program (OPOP)
- WIC Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children
- Baby & Me Tobacco Free program for pregnant women
Any parent of a newborn can enroll in the High Priority Infant (HPI) program – whether for a premature infant, a baby with special needs, or just for extra help and support.
Did you know? Donating blood is a way to help premature babies, as some may require special medical attention, including blood transfusions. O- blood is universal and can be safely transfused to people of all blood types.
Smokers and users of vaping devices are encouraged to participate in the Great American Smokeout by setting their quit date as Thursday, November 21. Quitting commercial tobacco and nicotine is one of the best steps you can take to improve your health, reducing the risk of respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Every year, around 1,000 North Dakotans die from commercial tobacco use.
Bonnie Riely was a pack a day smoker for over 30 years. When she started having heart pains and wheezing, she decided to quit smoking. Bonnie also watched her mother, who was also a long-time smoker, struggle with COPD. Bonnie had tried several times and knew it wasn’t going to be easy. She made a plan and enrolled in the Quit Smoking program at First District Health Unit. With the help of Nicotine replacement aids, support from others who were going through the same journey, and the motivation to be healthier, she has been smoke free for 15 years.
Bonnie is now a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist at First District Heath Unit. She holds Kick Start quit classes and will do consultations for individuals who are interested in quitting smoking, vaping or chewing. As a former smoker she can relate to individuals and help them plan their quit. You may contact her at bfriely@nd.gov or 701-837-5171.
Sarah’s Story
“When I would wake up the first thing I would do is smoke, when on break at work the first thing I would do is smoke, before and after meals I would smoke and also right before bed. Smoking controlled my life. One afternoon after a cigarette I felt a flutter in my chest. It was scary and at that point I knew enough was enough. I also thought about how much money I was going to save being a pack a day smoker since I was 14 years old.
I started working with Bonnie and she gave me the tools and guidance to help me quit. Her classes are really fun and informative, and she is an amazing teacher and mentor! I wouldn’t have been able to quit without her help and the tools she provided me. My lungs owe her the biggest thank you. I am no longer out of breath doing simple tasks like going down the stairs. With her help I am now a year and a half smoke free!”
First District Health Unit in Bottineau is taking applications for an Administrative Assistant to handle calls and appointments, assist with clinics, do data entry, and complete other clerical tasks. Great weekday hours! Excellent benefits include employer-paid family health insurance, retirement, sick leave, and paid vacation. Starts at $16.50/hr. Apply by April 15th. Find all the details on the Employment page.
Most of the time, public health works behind the scenes to keep our communities safe and healthy. National Public Health Week is a time to recognize the contributions of public health to our world and communities. In keeping with this year’s theme Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health, First District Health Unit (FDHU) will showcase some of the ways public health works in our local communities.
→ A public open house on Monday, April 1 from 3:00 – 6:00 at the Minot office (801 11th Ave SE, Minot). This is a great opportunity for area leaders, community partners, and the general public to learn more about public health in the community. Staff members will introduce, explain and demonstrate many available public health programs and services, such as:
-
-
- ID scanners for reducing alcohol sales to minors
- Plus Optix automated vision screener
- Narcan’s role in reducing opioid overdoses
- Reducing the risk of diseases like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and STI/STDs
- Tobacco prevention and control, including vaping
- WIC nutrition program
- Water testing and septic systems
- Zoonotic diseases
- Car seat safety
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Food safety and inspections
-
→ There will be a free showing of a documentary for parents, teens, teachers, and others who want to learn more about helping kids be smart and safe online. The movie, Sextortion, follows the stories of several teens who begin communicating with someone they met online, and how the situation escalated. The movie, which runs 1 hr 25 min, will be shown at Oak Park Theater in Minot at 7:00 on April 3. It is suitable for teens and adults.
→ Multiple First District offices will hold food drives throughout the week. The donations will be used locally to benefit a food pantry or backpack program in the host community. Click for more information on dates and drop-off locations in your area.
All First District programs are available to everyone in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, and Ward counties, through either the local office or the Minot office.