Sanford Research leadership structure realignment
Contact:
Jon Berg
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / Jon.Berg@sanfordhealth.org
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sanford Health announced today a leadership realignment for Sanford Research designed to accelerate systemwide transformation and strengthen the organization’s ability to translate scientific discovery into better outcomes for patients and communities across the rural Midwest.
The changes align Sanford Research with the health system’s broader transformation strategy, supporting innovation across care delivery, value-based care, precision medicine, digital health and emerging technologies. By strengthening collaboration across research programs and expanding opportunities for large-scale grants, national consortia and industry partnerships, Sanford Health is positioning research as a key driver of future growth, innovation and patient impact.
Leading this next chapter is Michelle Baack, M.D., who has been appointed president of Sanford Research. Dr. Baack is a pediatric scientist at Sanford Research and pediatric department chair at the University of South Dakota. In this role, Dr. Baack will oversee a team of more than 500 researchers supporting basic, translational and clinical research in several areas, including pediatrics, rare diseases, cancer biology and immunotherapies, cellular therapies and stem cell biology.
“Research plays a critical role in Sanford Health’s transformation strategy by helping us discover, evaluate and scale innovations that improve access, affordability and outcomes for patients,” said Tommy Ibrahim, M.D., executive vice president and chief transformation officer. “As we continue to advance technology, AI, precision medicine and value-based care across our organization, this leadership design positions us to deepen collaboration, expand research opportunities and accelerate the translation of breakthroughs into real-world impact for the patients we serve.”
Additionally, five research divisions will drive advancement across key priority areas: biobehavioral, biomedical, clinical research, rural and population health, and AI and precision medicine. Today, Sanford Research has experts working across these fields, and by aligning this work within focused divisions, research opportunities can be scaled more strategically to deliver meaningful outcomes to patients more quickly and with greater impact.
Jennifer Meece, PhD, senior vice president, chief research officer, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, will serve as Sanford Research’s senior vice president, research scientific officer. Meece will guide scientific strategy, fostering innovation and excellence across the five research divisions.
Liz Wheeler, vice president, operations, will serve as senior vice president, research operations. Wheeler will oversee operational processes across the five divisions and ensure research infrastructure supports continued innovation.
Sanford Health operates one of the most comprehensive rural and community-based clinical research networks in the country, with more than 1,300 active clinical trials. Sanford has achieved clinical trial participation rates of more than 10 percent among eligible cancer patients – higher than the national average – demonstrating that when access is available, patients are highly engaged.
For more information about Sanford Research, visit research.sanfordhealth.org.
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.
