Sanford Children’s Therapies advances DMI care in Bismarck
January 26, 2026
Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org
BISMARCK, N.D. — Sanford Children’s Therapies is leading the region in introducing innovative approaches to pediatric rehabilitation, including Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), a specialized, hands‑on therapy designed to help children build strong movement foundations.
Dynamic Movement Intervention is a structured therapy method focused on stimulating a child’s neuromuscular system. Through precise, therapist‑guided movements, DMI helps children improve gross motor skills, postural control and coordinated, functional movement patterns. DMI is especially beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delays, genetic or neurological disorders, hypotonia (low muscle tone) and motor milestone delays such as sitting, crawling or walking.
“Unlike traditional pediatric therapy that often emphasizes play‑based strengthening, DMI is highly structured and specific,” said Jackie Mrachek, PT, DPT, Children’s Therapy Manager, Sanford Bismarck. “Families participating in DMI are already seeing meaningful progress, with many children reaching new mobility milestones. As one of the first care teams in the region to adopt and expand DMI, Sanford Children’s Therapies is helping shape the future of pediatric rehabilitation.”
Sanford Children’s Therapies introduced DMI locally more than a year ago and currently has 10 Level B–trained therapists and two Level A–trained therapists. This spring, Sanford Bismarck will host a Level C DMI training course, the highest level and one of only a few such trainings held worldwide in 2026. Upon completion, Sanford Children’s Therapies will have 10 Level C‑trained therapists, enabling the team to officially offer DMI Intensives, a specialized and highly sought‑after therapy format.
Sanford continues to be recognized for its commitment to advanced training, clinical excellence, early adoption of new therapeutic techniques, active involvement in research and family-centered approach that earns parents’ trust. Thanks to the generosity of donors through the Sanford Health Foundation, Sanford Bismarck continues to invest in DMI and the education needed to deliver it effectively. As a result, Sanford Children’s Therapies is empowering children across the region to reach their highest potential.
The Sanford Health Bismarck Region provides health care to central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It includes 26 clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Dickinson, Williston and Watford City, as well as a Level II trauma center located in Bismarck.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
###
