Sanford Bemidji earns national recognition from Becker’s
June 24, 2026
Contact: Jillian Johnson
Media Relations Specialist –Bemidji Region
(218) 333-6090 / jillian.johnson@sanfordhealth.org
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Sanford Bemidji Medical Center was recently named to the Becker’s Healthcare list of “100 Great Community Hospitals” for 2026.
The list celebrates institutions that bring accessible, affordable, high-quality care to patients in rural corners of the country and commends local hospitals for delivering expert clinical care while driving local innovation and serving as an economic cornerstone.
“We are proud to be recognized among Becker’s Healthcare’s Great Community Hospitals,” said Dr. Jason Caron, President and CEO of Sanford Health Bemidji. “This honor reflects the commitment of our team members to continually strengthen access to high-quality care and develop innovative solutions that address the unique health needs of our communities.”
Becker’s highlighted Sanford Bemidji’s investment in specialty services, strong performance in quality and safety and innovative efforts to meet community needs, including expanded behavioral health access and a 24/7 naloxone distribution program which launched earlier this year in the emergency department.
“Whether through expanded behavioral health services, new community health initiatives or investments in specialty care, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of the Bemidji region,” Dr. Caron said.
The full list of community hospitals can be found here. For more information about Sanford Health, visit sanfordhealth.org.
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 more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 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 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. 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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