Sanford Health

Sanford Health is a large healthcare system based in the United States, with a strong presence in the Midwest. It was formed in 2009 through the merger of Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System and Medcenter One Health System, and has since grown to become one of the largest health systems in the country, with ties to University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and South Dakota State University. Sanford Health has partnerships with Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins University, and is a member of the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association. The system is also affiliated with the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

● History

The history of Sanford Health dates back to 1894, when St. Luke's Hospital was founded in Fargo, North Dakota by Lutheran churches and the Lutheran Hospital Association. In the early 20th century, the hospital was renamed Sioux Valley Hospital and began to expand its services, including the establishment of a nursing school and a residency program affiliated with the University of Minnesota. In the 1970s and 1980s, the hospital system grew through mergers with other hospitals in the region, including Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Medcenter One in Bismarck, North Dakota, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Today, Sanford Health is a leading health system in the United States, with a strong reputation for quality care and innovation, and is recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Leapfrog Group, and the Joint Commission.

● Organization

Sanford Health is a non-profit health system governed by a board of trustees composed of community leaders and healthcare experts from Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. The system is led by a president and CEO who reports to the board of trustees, and is advised by the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Leadership Council. Sanford Health is organized into several divisions, including hospitals, clinics, and senior services, with partnerships with AARP, American Red Cross, and the National Institute on Aging. The system also has a strong focus on community health and wellness, with programs and services supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

● Services

Sanford Health offers a wide range of medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and hospital care, with access to telemedicine and virtual care through partnerships with Teladoc Health and American Well. The system has a strong focus on cancer care, with a cancer center accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the National Cancer Institute, and is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Sanford Health also offers heart care and vascular care services, including cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology, with support from the American Heart Association and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Additionally, the system provides neurology and neurosurgery services, including stroke care and spine surgery, with partnerships with the American Academy of Neurology and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

● Research

Sanford Health is committed to medical research and has a strong focus on clinical trials and translational research, with partnerships with the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The system has a research institute that conducts studies in a variety of areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders, with support from the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association. Sanford Health also has a genomics program that offers genetic testing and genetic counseling services, with access to Illumina and Invitae technologies. The system is a member of the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Trials Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Clinical Trials Committee.

● Locations

Sanford Health has locations in several states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, with partnerships with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Mayo Clinic Health System. The system has a strong presence in the Midwest, with hospitals and clinics in cities such as Fargo, North Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota, and is affiliated with the Midwest Healthcare Quality Alliance and the Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center. Sanford Health also has rural health clinics and community health centers in smaller towns and rural areas, with support from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the National Rural Health Association.

● Leadership

The leadership of Sanford Health includes a president and CEO who oversees the overall strategy and direction of the system, with guidance from the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. The system also has a chief medical officer who is responsible for clinical quality and patient safety, with support from the Joint Commission and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Additionally, Sanford Health has a chief nursing officer who oversees nursing practice and nursing education, with partnerships with the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The system's leadership team also includes experts from Duke University, University of Chicago, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.