Sanford Health announced today that Lewis Drug, a family-owned pharmacy and retail store chain with 60 locations throughout South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, is joining Sanford Health, ensuring continued access and convenience to pharmacy services and retail items for communities across the region. The partnership is expected to be finalized this fall.
“This partnership is a natural next step in our long-term, trusted relationship and reflects our shared commitment to improving quality of life for our patients and communities and providing the highest quality pharmacy care for those we serve,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “Lewis Drug is a cornerstone in the communities it serves and has built a remarkably strong retail and pharmacy workforce and culture. We look forward to furthering that legacy as part of Sanford Health.”
The two organizations have successfully partnered to serve patients and meet local community needs for more than 25 years.
- This includes the co-location of 11 Sanford Health clinics with Lewis Drug pharmacies to make it easier for patients to access prescription and non-prescription medications.
- Sanford Health has also partnered with Lewis Drug for ambulatory pharmacists located in Sanford clinics in Sioux Falls.
- Lewis Drug has long been the pharmacy provider for a number of Good Samaritan locations.
- Sanford Health has co-owned 44 Lewis Family Drug locations in rural communities outside of Sioux Falls for many years.
Access to essential health services
“At a time when the health care field is facing a variety of challenges, our partnership provides stability and helps safeguard access to essential health care services for the patients and communities we serve,” said Gassen. “By bringing Lewis Drug into Sanford Health’s integrated health care system, we are helping ensure communities across the upper Midwest continue to have access to medications, vaccinations, screenings and expert support from Lewis Drug’s team of skilled pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.”
Lewis Drug has served as a trusted neighborhood pharmacy and retail destination for more than 80 years, known for its personalized customer service, hospitality and convenience.
“This partnership is built on trust, and our long-term relationship with Sanford Health laid the groundwork for the joint decision to bring Lewis Drug fully into the integrated Sanford Health system,” said Griffin. “Customers and patients will continue to have the same great experience when they walk into a Lewis store as they have for the last 80 years – from our name and branding to our outstanding and dedicated customer service.”
Lewis Drug will continue to operate under its current brand, and its team of 188 pharmacists and 1,300 team members will become employees of Sanford Health. There will be no changes to the leadership team at Lewis Drug, and CEO Mark Griffin will continue in a multi-year advisory role once the partnership is finalized to ensure a smooth transition.
Learn more
- Harrisburg clinic offers local care, pharmacy partnership
- Sanford Health breaks ground on ‘blueprint’ of senior care
- Amazon Pharmacy chief: Patients demand more convenient care
…
Posted In Company News, Here for all. Here for good., News, Rural Health
