Sanford, Prairie Lakes Healthcare announce combination
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Oct. 31, 2025
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Contacts: Paul Heinert Sanford Health 605-366-2432 / Paul.Heinert@sanfordhealth.org
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sanford Health, the nation’s leading rural health care system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, a trusted independent provider serving Watertown and a 10-county region in northeast South Dakota, and western Minnesota, today announced the two systems have combined their organizations, strengthening care delivery in the region.
The partnership includes financial investments in the Watertown community, making lasting impacts on health, wellness and quality of life in the region for many years to come.
“As mission-driven nonprofit health care systems, Sanford Health and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System are dedicated to caring for the communities we serve,” said Andy Munce, president and CEO of Sanford Health, Sioux Falls region. “Our partnership will ensure patients and community members continue to have access to world-class services and providers for generations.”
Sanford Health has a long history of providing world-class health care for the Watertown community and has a strong relationship with Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, which is what led to the mutual decision to partner.
Over time, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will transition to the Sanford Health name and brand while preserving and expanding health services across the many communities it currently serves. Patients will continue to see their current provider, and Sanford Health is committed to ensuring there are no disruptions in care for any patients as the two systems come together.
John Allen, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System president and CEO will continue to lead the organization.
“By joining Sanford Health, the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System builds on its foundation of quality medical providers and staff who care daily for their neighbors close to home. We gain resources and capabilities to do even more to support the communities we serve going forward,” said Chris Carter, chairperson of the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System Board of Directors. “Our system is now part of the nation’s leading nonprofit health system that is driving innovation and excellence in rural health care. This partnership ensures that we will continue delivering exceptional, close-to-home care for years to come.”
Sanford Health has an extensive track record of investing in community programs and partnerships to reduce barriers to care, address health disparities and support patients through financial and prescription assistance. Sanford Health also invests in innovative programs and technology to make care accessible to patients close to home, including through the cutting-edge Virtual Care Center and behavioral health support.
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 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 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 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. 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.
About Prairie Lakes Healthcare System
Prairie Lakes Healthcare System cares for 90,000 people in a 10-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is licensed to operate 81 acute care hospital beds, including Labor and Delivery, Telemetry, Critical Care and general hospital. Hospital services also include a 24-hour Emergency Department, surgery capabilities, Interventional Cardiology, and services providing diagnostics and imaging services. The organization has approximately 800 employees, including 60 providers.
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