Sanford Fargo named top heart program
Jan. 28, 2026
Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org
FARGO, N.D. – Sanford Medical Center Fargo has been recognized as having one of the best heart programs in the country.
Sanford Fargo was named to the Becker’s Hospital Review’s “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs.” All nominated programs are known for their exceptional cardiovascular care, strong patient outcomes and their use of life-saving technologies. These heart programs also lead the way in cardiology research, driving discoveries that are shaping and advancing the field.
“We are excited and proud to be named a top heart hospital in the country,” said Paul Burud, Sanford Health vice president for heart services. “Our expert heart team, which consists of more than 400 professionals, delivers comprehensive care across prevention, diagnosis, intervention and hypertension. Our focus on innovation and investments in advanced imaging, clinical research and a new heart failure program further signify our promise and dedication to providing world-class health care close to home.”
Sanford Fargo has led numerous state-first advancements, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement, cardiac PET imaging, TriClip tricuspid valve repair and renal denervation for resistant hypertension. The program treats approximately 1,300 heart attack patients annually and has earned the American College of Cardiology “Chest Pain-MI Registry Performance Award” 10 times for consistently delivering guideline-based, high-quality care.
Sanford Fargo is expanding access through extensive rural outreach, providing cardiology care in 12 communities and diagnostic services at additional sites across the region. Sanford Medical Center Fargo was recognized in 2025 as one of Premier’s “Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals” in the nation, making it the only hospital in North Dakota, South Dakota or Minnesota to earn this distinction.
A list of all hospitals and health systems recognized with great heart programs can be found here.
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.
