As Sanford Health celebrates 10 years in Bismarck, North Dakota, the health care system looks back on the promises that were made and kept since July of 2012.
Medcenter merger
For more than 100 years, legacy Medcenter One served central and western North Dakota with great dedication and care. Then in 2012, Medcenter One and Sanford Health saw an opportunity to better serve the region together. They officially merged in July of that year with Sanford Health making a lofty promise: to invest $200 million in the region over the 10 years that followed.
“When they started discussions more than 10 years ago, leaders of Medcenter One and Sanford Health addressed one question: Would merging the two organizations improve health care across the region and strengthen Bismarck-Mandan and the other communities we serve?” said Fred Fridley, vice president of operations at Sanford Bismarck.
“The answer was yes, and we now have 10 years of evidence supporting that answer. We have evolved from a quality, community-based health system to the regional leader in health care.”
Better care across the region
In fact, Sanford invested 50% more than initially promised, putting $300 million into the communities served, in part to make care more accessible than ever.
In Bismarck, our youngest patients have a place of their own at the Children’s Campus, and people of all ages can experience faster recovery at the new same-day surgery center. Patients also benefit from several recent medical center expansions in Bismarck, including a new neonatal intensive care unit, an upgraded birth center for growing families and more hospital beds for all.
Across the region, patients have better access to advanced imaging technologies, heart disease treatment and maternal-fetal medicine for high-risk pregnancies, plus more choices for primary and specialty care in Bismarck-Mandan, Dickinson, Minot and Watford City.
“The investments we’ve made in the last 10 years have helped us expand services and enhance the level of care we provide to patients throughout our region, saving them hundreds of miles in travel. While the dollar amount demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve, those miles saved are an even more significant number,” said Todd Schaffer, M.D., president and CEO of Sanford Bismarck.
Community partnerships
Beyond the walls of each Sanford facility, partnerships have been made throughout the region to ensure communities are growing right alongside the hospital system.
In 2014, Sanford supported McKenzie County Healthcare System’s construction of a new medical center in Watford City, and in 2017, Sanford helped fund Bismarck State College’s health science programs.
Other partnerships include working with the YMCA on the construction and operation of the Family Wellness Center located in Mandan, providing sports medicine services to 19 area high schools and colleges, and helping to fund sports complexes in Bismarck and Dickinson.
More to look forward to
All told, Sanford’s ongoing community investments in the region total $1 million annually. And Sanford leaders say they’re not done yet.
“In the years ahead, we will continue to elevate our status as the regional health care leader by enhancing services, improving access to care and working with community partners to improve overall health and wellness,” said Dr. Schaffer.
Sanford Health is proud of the promises made and kept since 2012, but the work continues for the next 10 years and beyond.
Learn more
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Posted In Bismarck, Community, Company News, Dickinson, Minot
