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Thief River Falls recognized with quality award

Nov. 20, 2025

Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Thief River Falls has been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality. This is the fourth consecutive year Sanford Thief River Falls has received this honor.

Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“We are honored to be recognized as a top critical access hospital for quality,” said Tyler Ust, Sanford Thief River Falls chief executive officer. “Our patients in Thief River Falls and the surrounding communities trust in us for the highest quality of health care, and that is something that we will never take for granted. Providing world-class health care, regardless of where you live, is our number one priority.”

The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Sanford Hillsboro and Sanford Mayville recognized by Chartis

Nov. 20, 2025

Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org

FARGO, N.D. – As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Health Hillsboro and Sanford Health Mayville have been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality. This is the third consecutive year Sanford Hillsboro and Sanford Mayville have received this honor.

Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“Sanford Health prides itself on being a national leader in rural health care,” said Jac McTaggart, Sanford Hillsboro and Mayville chief executive officer. “Rural health care is at the forefront of what we do. It is extremely important to us to provide world-class health care to our patients regardless of where they live. I am proud of every staff member who helped make this recognition possible.”

The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Canton-Inwood recognized with quality award for rural health

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Canton-Inwood Medical Center has been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“As a small, rural hospital, we are always looking for ways to add and enhance quality measures for our patients,” said Scott Larson, chief executive officer at Sanford Canton-Inwood. “Even though we’re just a short drive from Sioux Falls, time can be a lifeline for patients needing immediate health care. Ensuring our hospital has essential quality measures in place for patients is critically important, especially considering the number of patients who might travel several miles to our hospital for their care.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Tracy recognized with quality award for rural health

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Tracy Medical Center has been recognized with 2025 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in quality.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“As a rural Minnesota hospital, our team continues to add and enhance quality measures for our patients and their families to ensure we are providing the best health care for our community and surrounding communities,” said Stacy Barstad, chief executive officer at Sanford Tracy. “Providing our patients with quality health care close to home is invaluable, especially for patients who would otherwise travel several miles for their appointment.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Westbrook recognized with quality award for rural health

Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Westbrook Medical Center has been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“Having the dedicated team of caregivers we have to provide quality health care for a patient in their own community, or a neighboring community is invaluable,” said Stacy Barstad, chief executive officer at Sanford Westbrook. “We continue to look for ways to enhance the quality measures we have in place to ensure patients receive the best health care.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Sheldon recognized with quality award for rural health

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Sheldon Medical Center has been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“The health care we provide patients in rural, northwest Iowa is vitally important to residents in Sheldon and surrounding communities,” said Rick Nordahl, chief executive officer at Sanford Sheldon. “Our team of experts continue to enhance the quality measures we have in place to ensure personalized health care to meet the individual needs for each patient who walks through our doors.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Vermillion recognized with quality award for rural health

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center has been recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in quality.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“The care our team provides every day for patients in rural South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota is critically important, especially for patients who would otherwise travel several miles for their care,” said Veronica Schmidt, chief executive officer at Sanford Vermillion. We continue to look at ways we can exceed and opportunities to enhance the quality measures we have in place to provide the best quality health care for patients we have the privilege to care for at Sanford Vermillion.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Canby, Clear Lake receive Chartis awards for rural health

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As part of National Rural Health Day, Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center and Sanford Canby Medical Center have each been recognized with 2025 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in quality. Sanford Canby Medical Center was also recognized with a 2025 Performance Leadership award for patient perspective.

Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and/or patient perspective.

“As a rural hospital, we are dedicated to providing health care to patients in our community and surrounding communities,” said Lori Sisk, chief executive officer at Sanford Canby and Sanford Clear Lake. “The care we have the opportunity to provide our patients is invaluable, especially those patients who would otherwise travel close to 100 miles or more roundtrip for their care.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

A full list of rural hospitals honored with a Performance Leadership Award for quality can be found here.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Hoops camp starring USD/SDSU women’s players set for Dec. 29

November 19, 2025

Contact:
David Brown
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / david.brown@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Sanford Sports Academy in Sioux Falls will host a Holiday Hoops Camp for grades K-8 headlined by several University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University women’s basketball players on Monday, December 29 at the Sanford Pentagon.

The camp will focus on skill work such as dribbling, passing, shooting, decision-making, and scoring moves. Drills and competitive play will also be incorporated to maximize those skills. Seven former members of the Sanford Sports Academy who currently play for SDSU and USD women’s basketball will be among the guest coaches:

• Mahli Abdouch (South Dakota State / O’Gorman HS)
• Alex Flattery (South Dakota / Sioux City East HS)
• Emilee Fox (South Dakota State / Mt. Vernon/Plankinton HS)
• Brooke Jensen (South Dakota / Vermillion HS)
• Grace Peterson (South Dakota / Washington HS)
• Claire Sheppard (South Dakota State / Flandreau HS)
• Katie Vasecka (South Dakota State / Tea Area HS)

The camp will be split into three different sessions based on grade:

• Grades K-2: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Grades 3-5: 9:30-10:45 a.m.
• Grades 6-8: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

All campers will have the opportunity at the completion of the camp to get autographs or pictures with their favorite Coyotes and Jackrabbits.

In addition to the camp on Dec. 29, a separate Holiday Hoops Camp will be hosted by the Sanford Sports Academy staff one week earlier on Sunday, December 21 at the Pentagon.

The Dec. 21 camp will also be split into three different groups:

• Grades K-2: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Grades 3-5: 1:00-2:30 p.m.
• Grades 6-8: 2:30-4:00 p.m.

The cost of each camp is $25 plus tax for grades K-2 and $35 plus tax for grades 3-8 and includes a camp t-shirt. Registration for both camps provides a $10 discount off the total price.

You can sign up for the Dec. 21 camp here. You can sign up for the Dec. 29 camp featuring USD & SDSU women’s basketball players here.

About Sanford Sports
Sanford Sports is the modern athletics arm of Sanford Health, the premier rural health system in the United States. Rooted in science and health care, Sanford Sports offers a combination of programs, services, events, facilities and partnerships intended to make active lifestyles accessible and rewarding for people of all ages and abilities. Based on the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sanford Sports has been changing the way athletes play for 25 years. With operations in three states, more than one million athletes use Sanford Sports facilities each year. Visit sanfordsports.com for more information.

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Sanford welcomes new family medicine physician to Minot

November 17, 2025

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

BISMARCK, N.D. — Ashley Kremer, M.D., a family medicine specialist has joined the Sanford Northwest Clinic in Minot and is accepting new patients.

Dr. Kremer received her medical degree at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Grand Forks. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences in Bismarck.

She focuses on preventive health care by providing wellness visits for children, teens and adults. Dr. Kremer delivers care for chronic conditions, common illnesses and minor injuries including:

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting
• Fever
• Flu and cold symptoms
• Headaches and dizziness
• Pink eye
• Rashes
• Sinus and respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections

Dr. Kremer is now seeing patients at the Sanford Northwest Clinic, located at 1500 21^st Ave. NW, Minot.

The Sanford 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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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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Sanford Sports Academy Fargo adds Sydney Lanoue

Nov. 17, 2025

Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org

FARGO, N.D. – Sanford Sports Academy Volleyball has added Sydney Lanoue as an academy specialist. She will be based in Fargo.

Lanoue, a Tracy, Minn. native, helped lead Tracy Milroy Balaton High School to three Minnesota State Tournament appearances. Lanoue played collegiately at the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2018-2022, posting a 98-29 career total match record for the Bulldogs. She played as a defensive specialist, libero and outside hitter.

“I love being an active coach who stays engaged and provides real-time corrections and adjustments during games and trainings,” said Lanoue. “ I don’t just tell athletes what to fix – I also want to help them understand why. It’s so rewarding to see that moment when something truly clicks for an athlete. When I train, I focus on helping athletes learn to self-identify, self-correct and self-apply so they can take ownership of their development. I believe athletes grow the most when they think critically about their game and develop confidence in their decisions.”

Lanoue holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, as well as a master’s degree in sports administration and leadership from Augustana University (S.D.). She served as a graduate assistant coach at Augustana for two seasons and has coached several club teams in Duluth, Sioux Falls and Fargo.

Sanford Sports Academy Volleyball offers local, regional and national teams in Sioux Falls and Fargo for players ages 13 to 18. Tryouts are held every October and November and the season starts in January. For more information visit sanfordsports.com.

About Sanford Sports
Sanford Sports is the modern athletics arm of Sanford Health, the premier rural health system in the United States. Rooted in science and health care, Sanford Sports offers a combination of programs, services, events, facilities and partnerships intended to make active lifestyles accessible and rewarding for people of all ages and abilities.

Based on the 500-acre Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sanford Sports has been changing the way athletes play for 25 years. With operations in three states, more than one million athletes use Sanford Sports facilities each year. Visit sanfordsports.com for more information.

Sanford Health Plan to lead discussion on future of MA

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. —Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., MBA, MHA, executive vice president and president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan, will lead a discussion at the Cornell Health Policy Center’s Business Leader Roundtable on Friday in New York City.

This convening will bring together top health care executives and policy experts to examine the future of Medicare Advantage (MA) and its impact on patients, payers, and providers. The objectives of the roundtable are to provide business leaders with an opportunity to learn about research that Cornell faculty are conducting on Medicare Advantage (MA), offer insights for making research more impactful and relevant and suggest future health policy research priorities, including those beyond MA.

Ibrahim will be joined by Peter Banko, president and CEO of Baystate Health. The session will explore:

• How federal reimbursement policies shape MA plan strategies, benefit design and market participation
• The role of risk adjustment and quality bonus payments in supporting rural communities
• Opportunities and challenges for value-based care arrangements between plans and providers

“Medicare Advantage is at an inflection point,” said Ibrahim. “As large national carriers retrench – particularly in rural areas, and as utilization and cost pressures continue to mount, this discussion becomes especially important as we seek to advocate for common-sense reforms and to create long-term sustainability for seniors across the nation.”

As a provider-aligned health plan, Sanford Health Plan is part of an integrated health system where the plan and the providers share the same mission and accountability for outcomes on behalf of the members and patients they serve.

Ibrahim received his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Christopher’s College of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, an academic affiliate of Johns Hopkins. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Fellow in Hospital Medicine. He also served as an Executive-in-Residence, mentoring MHA students and future health care executives with Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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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Sanford Bismarck ranked a top hospital for heart care

November 13, 2025

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

U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 rankings recognize hospitals for exceptional care 

BISMARCK, N.D. — U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for 2025-2026 has ranked Sanford Medical Center Bismarck No. 44 out of 800 on the top hospitals list for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery.

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings are published to help patients decide where to receive care. U.S. News evaluates data on nearly 5,000 hospitals in 15 adult specialties and 21 adult procedures and conditions.

This national ranking reflects Sanford’s commitment to excellence in cardiovascular care, innovation in treatment and dedication to improving patient outcomes. The recognition highlights the hospital’s advanced cardiac services, including state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, minimally invasive procedures and a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled cardiologists, surgeons and support staff.

“We are honored to be recognized among the top cardiology programs in the country,” said Nayan Desai, M.D., interventional cardiologist, Sanford Bismarck. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our cardiovascular team, and to our ongoing mission to provide compassionate, cutting-edge care to our patients.”

The ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation of clinical outcomes, patient experience, and reputation among specialists nationwide. Sanford continues to invest in research, technology and education to remain at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine.

For more information about Sanford Health, visit SanfordHealth.org.

The Sanford 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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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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Sanford Westbrook designated a Level 4 Trauma hospital

Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@SanfordHealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sanford Westbrook Medical Center has been designated a Level 4 Trauma Hospital by the Minnesota Department of Health. Employees voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system.

“Trauma care, especially in rural areas of the country, is extremely important for patients and their families who are experiencing a trauma they likely weren’t expecting,” said Stacy Barstad, administrator and chief executive officer of Sanford Westbrook. “We are proud of the work our team did to earn this designation in to provide our community, and surrounding communities, with trauma care right here in Westbrook.”

For a severely injured person, the time between sustaining an injury and receiving definitive care is vitally important. The chance of survival diminishes with time; however, a trauma system enhances the chance of survival regardless of proximity to an urban trauma hospital.

On average, trauma claims the lives of 4,300 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20%. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.

For more information about Sanford Health in Westbrook, visit SanfordHealth.org keyword: Westbrook.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.

Sanford Fargo unveils updated inpatient oncology unit

Nov. 12, 2025

Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org

FARGO, N.D. – Sanford Health Fargo is officially opening its new inpatient oncology unit.

The 6S inpatient oncology unit, located within the Sanford Broadway Medical Center, features 16 private inpatient rooms designated to enhance patient care, comfort and efficiency. The new unit gives Sanford Fargo the capacity needed to care for more solid tumor patients and continue meeting the growing demand for services.

“We are excited to officially open our 6S inpatient oncology unit. Since 2020, patient referrals to radiation and medical oncology have increased by 54%. This unit will allow us to better accommodate the needs of our growing services,” said Susan Jarvis, Sanford Fargo chief operating officer. “This new unit signifies another incredible milestone in our journey toward transforming the Sanford Broadway campus into a modern facility designed to meet the unique needs of our patient population.”

With 6S opening, Sanford Fargo turns toward its next project on 7S, renovating the remaining 12 beds on the unit to create new, modern patient rooms that can accommodate blood and bone marrow transplant patients. When that renovation is finished in the spring, there will be 40 inpatient oncology beds in total.

The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Top 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs” for a third consecutive year.

MEDIA ALERT: There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new inpatient oncology unit on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m., at Sanford Broadway Medical Center, 801 Broadway N., Fargo. Please RSVP to Sanford media relations if you wish to attend.

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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.