Sanford Health, the nation’s leading rural health care system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, a trusted independent provider serving Watertown and a 10-county region in northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota, today announced the two systems have combined their organizations, strengthening care delivery in the region.
The partnership includes financial investments in the Watertown community, making lasting impacts on health, wellness and quality of life in the region for many years to come.
“As mission-driven nonprofit health care systems, Sanford Health and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System are dedicated to caring for the communities we serve,” said Andy Munce, president and CEO of Sanford Health, Sioux Falls region. “Our partnership will ensure patients and community members continue to have access to world-class services and providers for generations.”
Sanford Health has a long history of providing world-class health care for the Watertown community and has a strong relationship with Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, which is what led to the mutual decision to partner.
Over time, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will transition to the Sanford Health name and brand while preserving and expanding health services across the many communities it currently serves. Patients will continue to see their current provider, and Sanford Health is committed to ensuring there are no disruptions in care for any patients as the two systems come together.
Prairie Lakes leadership to continue
John Allen, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System president and CEO, will continue to lead the organization.
“By joining Sanford Health, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System builds on its foundation of quality medical providers and staff who care daily for their neighbors close to home. We gain resources and capabilities to do even more to support the communities we serve going forward,” said Chris Carter, chairperson of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors. “Our system is now part of the nation’s leading nonprofit health system that is driving innovation and excellence in rural health care. This partnership ensures that we will continue delivering exceptional, close-to-home care for years to come.”
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System cares for 90,000 people in a 10-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is licensed to operate 81 acute care hospital beds, including labor and delivery, telemetry, critical care and general hospital. Hospital services also include a 24-hour emergency department, surgery capabilities, interventional cardiology, and services providing diagnostics and imaging services. The organization has approximately 800 employees, including 60 providers.
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Posted In Company News, News, Watertown
