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Therapy team among best in the nation for patient experience

May 5, 2026

Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org

BISMARCK, N.D. –  The therapy team at Sanford Health in Bismarck has received exceptional 2025 year‑end patient experience results from the National Research Corporation (NRC), demonstrating national‑leading performance and an unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient‑centered care.

According to the latest NRC percentile rankings, Sanford Bismarck achieved remarkable results across key patient experience measures:

These outstanding scores reflect the extraordinary care, communication and compassion the team brings to every patient and family they serve. Ranking at or above the 90th percentile across these measures highlights not only excellence in clinical interactions, but also the meaningful connections staff members build every day.

“Numbers like these do not happen by chance,” said Kori Erikson, director of therapy and rehabilitation, Sanford Bismarck. “They are the direct result of our team’s dedication to holistically caring for our patients the moment they walk through our doors. This performance reflects the respect, empathy and attention our staff shows in every interaction.”

Patient experience measures such as listening, clear communication and patient involvement are critical indicators of quality care. Achieving national‑leading results in these areas highlights the team’s ongoing focus on creating a welcoming, supportive environment where patients feel heard, informed and involved in their care decisions.

“These results should make every member of the therapy team incredibly proud,” Erikson added. “They represent the difference our people make every day and the exceptional experience they consistently deliver. We are grateful for the trust our patients place in us and for the outstanding professionals who make this level of care possible.”

Sanford Bismarck remains committed to building on this success and continuing to elevate the patient experience through the Patient Pledge, consisting of three promises: taking the time to listen, working well as a team to care for patients and ensuring patients know what to do next. Through this pledge, the team is dedicated to improving every patient’s health, well‑being and overall experience.

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.

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