In March of 2020, the world was changed forever and so was the health care industry.
Now, following two years of the coronavirus pandemic, Sanford Health leaders are looking back at the organization’s response, lessons learned and what’s ahead as it continues to care for its people, patients, residents and communities.
“This pandemic is not over, but hope is on the horizon, and it’s because of the tremendous efforts of our entire Sanford Family,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “We remain resolute in our commitment to keep our patients and residents, people and communities healthy and safe, now and for generations to come.”
The response to the pandemic wouldn’t have been possible without collaboration of all teams across the communities Sanford Health serves.
Over the course of the pandemic Sanford Health performed over one million COVID-19 tests.
“Timing is everything and we are so fortunate that our organization supported the idea of establishing a reference lab when we did,” said Rochelle Odenbrett, who oversees all COVID-19 testing efforts at Sanford Laboratories.
That is just one example of so many across the organization over two years. Other major efforts included vaccine distribution, advocacy, and caring for the caregivers.
From 2020-2021 Sanford Health cared for 10,000 COVID-19 hospitalized patients, administered 13,000 monoclonal antibody infusions — preventing over 900 hospitalizations and as many as 130 deaths — and scheduled over 377,000 telehealth visits.
In a span of 13 months, the health system administered nearly 530,000 COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Everyone was expected to participate and bring ideas forward regardless of their title,” said Matt Hocks, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We knew we had to do this together and it was going to take all of us working together to do it. That was probably the moment where I was most proud of the whole team and the organization. We were here as colleagues, as friends and as partners.”
Read the full report, “Leading Our Communities Through COVID-19.”
Learn more
- Living with COVID: When will it be endemic?
- Cura Foundation, Sanford Health honored for social good work
- Vaccine advocacy group praises Sanford’s clear info campaign
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Posted In Community, Company News, COVID-19, Immunizations, Leadership in Health Care
