Sanford expands with new providers and services in Williston
Sept. 22, 2026
Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org
WILLISTON, N.D. — Sanford Health is expanding access to care in Williston through the addition of new providers, specialty outreach care and enhanced access to primary care, pediatrics, cardiology and women’s health services.
The expansion reflects Sanford Health’s commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of northwestern North Dakota by bringing more services closer to home and reducing the need for patients to travel for care.
“Expanding access to high-quality care close to home remains a top priority for Sanford Health,” said Jake Mellmer, vice president of operations, Sanford Bismarck. “The addition of new providers and specialty services in Williston strengthens our ability to care for patients locally while connecting them to Sanford’s fully integrated health system.”
This expansion includes Sanford Williston’s first full-time internal medicine physician, first full-time cardiology provider and first full-time pediatrician, representing one of the most significant expansions of healthcare access in the community in recent years.
Sanford has also expanded specialty services in Williston through outreach clinics in pulmonology, neurosurgery and women’s health. Patients can now access specialized care locally for respiratory conditions, lung disease, and a variety of back, neck and spine conditions. In addition, Elizabeth Brown, M.D., OB/GYN, began providing outreach services in Williston one week each month this September, improving access to women’s healthcare services, including routine and specialty obstetric and gynecologic care. Sanford Health is also working with temporary providers to support patient access while exploring additional opportunities to expand women’s health services.
New providers serving the Williston community include:
- Victor Adenuga, M.D., internal medicine, Sanford Williston’s first full-time internal medicine physician.
- Crystal Christensen, APRN, CNP, family medicine, transitioned from Watford City to a full-time role in Williston, while continuing to provide care in Watford City one day each week.
- Tanya Giese, APRN, CNP, cardiology, Sanford Williston’s first full-time cardiology provider.
- Joe-Anne Lourens, M.D., pediatrics, Sanford Williston’s first full-time pediatric provider.
“These additions represent one of the most significant expansions of healthcare access in Williston in recent years,” said Jerilyn Kersten, clinic director, Sanford Williston. “Patients and families will have greater access to primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, women’s health and other specialty services close to home.”
Sanford Health remains committed to expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered care across western North Dakota and eastern Montana, helping patients receive expert care closer to home. As part of this commitment, Sanford continues to invest in healthcare access throughout the region and anticipates additional service growth in 2027, including the introduction of local orthopedic services in Williston.
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 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 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.
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