Sanford earns reaccreditation for Bariatric Surgery Program
Mar. 11, 2026
Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org
BISMARCK, N.D. — Sanford Health in Bismarck has successfully earned reaccreditation of its Bariatric Surgery Program by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). The reaccreditation follows an extensive site visit conducted on December 19, 2025, confirming the program’s continued commitment to providing safe, high‑quality and effective metabolic and bariatric surgical care.
As part of the reaccreditation process, MBSAQIP evaluates hospitals on rigorous, evidence‑based standards that promote optimal outcomes for patients seeking surgical treatment for obesity and related conditions. Accredited centers consistently demonstrate lower complication rates and improved long‑term results compared to non‑accredited facilities.
“Earning reaccreditation from the ACS is a meaningful affirmation of the work we do every day,” said Bree Dewing, M.D., general surgeon, Sanford Bismarck. “It reflects our team’s commitment to safety, quality and compassionate care for patients seeking a healthier future. This recognition reinforces that our program meets the highest national standards and inspires us to continue advancing the level of care our community deserves.”
This achievement also reinforces Sanford Bismarck’s status as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, a distinction that signifies a hospital’s commitment to the highest standards in surgical care. As an ACS Surgical Quality Partner, the organization participates in rigorous ACS Quality Programs, each designed to minimize complications, improve outcomes and support a culture of continuous improvement.
“Our reaccreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of our multidisciplinary bariatric team,” said Jackie Farland, vice president of operations, Sanford Bismarck. “We are committed to delivering comprehensive, compassionate care that empowers patients to transform their health and lives.”
The Sanford Health 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 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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