Sanford announces new executive leadership appointments
| Jan. 6, 2026 |
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sanford Health announced new executive leadership appointments designed to accelerate system-wide transformation, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to innovation, value-based care and integrated care and coverage to improve access, affordability, quality and long-term sustainability across the communities it serves in the upper rural Midwest.
Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., MBA, MHA, is transitioning from his role as executive vice president and president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan to executive vice president and chief transformation officer. In this new enterprise-wide role, Dr. Ibrahim will oversee technology, digital strategy, AI, enterprise data analytics, innovation and Sanford Research to drive system-wide transformation.
“Health care is operating in an increasingly dynamic landscape, creating opportunities to rethink how care is delivered and financed,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “This new role reflects our commitment to driving transformative change for the benefit of the patients and communities we serve. Aligning these key functions under Tommy’s leadership enables us to scale innovation and advance AI, automation and digital capabilities in support of our mission. Tommy’s strategic vision, change leadership, cross-functional acumen and clinical perspective as a physician uniquely position him to challenge the status quo, strengthen organizational agility and drive meaningful transformation.”
“The future of rural health care will be defined by how well we align care delivery, coverage and innovation at scale,” said Ibrahim. “I’m excited to step into this role and energized by the opportunities ahead to advance system-wide transformation – leveraging technology, AI, data and value-based care – to expand access, improve affordability and deliver better outcomes and more personalized care for the communities we serve.”
Matt Hocks, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume accountability for Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan and lead the system strategy to integrate care and coverage. Hocks joined Sanford Health in 2004 and has served in key leadership roles during a period of transformational growth for the organization. Over the past year, Hocks and Dr. Ibrahim have worked closely to strengthen alignment between Sanford Health’s care delivery and coverage strategies, focusing on shared incentives and integrated approaches that enhance quality and experience, lower costs and improve health outcomes across the communities Sanford serves.
“Matt’s deep experience leading care delivery operations positions him well to advance our integrated care and coverage strategy, which is a core enterprise priority for 2026,” said Gassen. “Stronger alignment across our system creates new opportunities to better serve patients and members through more seamless, coordinated care. Our health plan team remains a critical partner in this work, and we are grateful for their continued leadership as we build toward long-term sustainability.”
Sanford Health is also establishing a Value-Based Care Committee to strengthen system-wide alignment and advance the organization’s progression to value-based care. Chaired by Dr. Ibrahim, Hocks and Nick Olson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, the committee will focus on aligning care delivery, coverage and financing to improve outcomes, lower total cost of care and build healthier communities. Key areas of focus include financial alignment of incentives through contracting, enabling technology tools and care model transition and health plan operations.
“As a fully integrated health system with a health plan, Sanford Health is uniquely positioned to lead transformation that delivers value for patients and members, improves efficiency and aligns incentives across care delivery and coverage,” said Gassen. “This work enables local reinvestment, strengthens long-term sustainability across our footprint and prepares us to succeed in a rapidly evolving health care environment.”
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 55,000 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 57 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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