Sanford TRF re-designated as Level 4 Trauma Hospital
Sept. 4, 2026
Contact:
Nathan Aamodt
Sanford Health Media Relations
(701) 200-6080/nathan.aamodt@sanfordhealth.org
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health recently re-designated Sanford Thief River Falls as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital. Sanford Thief River Falls was first designated as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital in 2009.
Sanford Thief River Falls staff voluntarily participated in the intense designation process to become part of Minnesota’s statewide trauma system. The process included an outside review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities to care for trauma patients. Sanford Thief River Falls met standards of commitment, clinical and equipment resources and staff training. The hospital also participates in a continuous performance improvement process.
“We are excited and proud to be re-designated as a Level 4 Trauma Hospital,” said Merleen Knott, Sanford Thief River Falls trauma program manager. “When it comes to trauma-related injuries, every second is crucial. It is our duty to provide our community with the best resources that help improve patient outcomes. We are committed to providing high-quality, timely care close to home, with systems and partnerships in place to ensure our patients receive the right care at the right time. When a higher level of care or specialized expertise is needed, we work closely with EMS and our regional and state partners to facilitate rapid transfers and connect patients with the care they need.”
On average, trauma claims the lives of 4,300 Minnesotans annually. States with trauma systems have seen survival rates increase by 15 to 20%. Wide-scale participation in the voluntary trauma system ensures that a statewide, cooperative effort is in place to care for seriously injured patients.
Minnesota began developing a comprehensive statewide trauma system in August 2005. Through its designation, Sanford Thief River Falls recognizes the vital role that communities, ambulance services, hospitals and health care professionals play in the care and management of trauma patients.
For more information, visit the Minnesota Statewide Trauma system at https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/traumasystem/.
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 health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
