Sanford donates OR beds to Bismarck State College
Sept. 21, 2026
Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org
BISMARCK, N.D. – Sanford Bismarck has donated three operating room (OR) beds to Bismarck State College (BSC), providing surgical technology students with hands-on learning opportunities in a realistic clinical setting and strengthening the future healthcare workforce in North Dakota.
The donation enhances BSC’s Surgical Technology program by giving students access to equipment commonly used in operating rooms, helping them build the practical skills and confidence needed before entering clinical environments.
“At Sanford Health, we are committed to investing in the next generation of health care professionals,” said Todd Schaffer, M.D., president & CEO, Sanford Bismarck. “By providing these operating room beds to Bismarck State College, we’re helping students gain valuable hands-on experience that will better prepare them for careers in surgical services and ultimately benefit patients across our region.”
The OR beds will be incorporated into several areas of the program’s curriculum, allowing students to practice essential skills in a realistic surgical environment.
“Experiential learning is critical to student success in surgical technology,” said Mikayla Atchison, assistant dean of Current and Emerging Technologies, Bismarck State College. “These operating room beds will allow our students to train using equipment similar to what they will encounter in hospitals and surgical centers, helping bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice.”
The donated equipment will support:
- Mock Surgery and Clinical Skills Practice: Students can participate in simulated surgical procedures in a realistic operating room setting.
- Patient Positioning: Students learn how to safely position patients for a variety of surgical procedures.
- Patient Prepping: Students practice preparing patients for surgery while following established clinical protocols.
- Patient Draping: Students develop skills in handling and applying surgical drapes while maintaining a sterile field.
- Patient Transportation and Transfers: Students learn safe patient transport techniques, emphasizing communication, teamwork, proper body mechanics and patient safety.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Sanford Bismarck and Bismarck State College to develop highly skilled healthcare professionals and address workforce needs throughout the region.
“As healthcare continues to evolve, strong partnerships between providers and educational institutions are essential,” said Dr. Schaffer. “Together, we’re creating opportunities for students to learn, grow and ultimately serve their communities with excellence.”
The Sanford Health Bismarck Region provides healthcare 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 healthcare experience and providing access to world-class healthcare 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 92 retail pharmacies, including Sanford and Lewis Drug pharmacies with locations in 6 states, and more than 300 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural healthcare across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College (BSC) is North Dakota’s Polytechnic Institution, offering high-quality, affordable education with more than 100 career pathways, including two-year associate degrees, four-year bachelor’s degrees, and short-term program certificates. Dedicated to student success since 1939, BSC prepares students for high-demand careers through comprehensive advising, flexible in-person and online course options, industry-driven curriculum, and continuing education opportunities. Learn more at www.bismarckstate.edu.
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