Sanford management includes Northwood Deaconess facility

The board of directors of NDHC remained in place and the organization’s ownership remained the same. Owner churches elect the NDHC governing board which owns the facilities and holds ultimate decision-making authority.

The agreement allows NDHC to access Sanford resources and policies to improve management and operations. In addition to better buying power, the relationship expanded education opportunities for physicians and staff.

As part of the agreement, NDHC’s CEO Pete Antonson and Director of Nursing Carla Sletten, became employees of Sanford.

Keeping rural care local

“Rural hospitals face many challenges, and this associate relationship with Sanford Health allows us to continue to provide quality health care for people in the community. It also increases potential for growth in services. We’ve already added Sanford Radiology and Psychiatric Services,” Antonson said.

Sanford Health has several levels of relationships with hospitals including associate, managed, leased and owned status. The agreement between NDHC and Sanford developed from a longstanding relationship with clinics and hospitals in the Northwood area including: Sanford Health East Grand Forks Clinic, Sanford Mayville, Sanford Health Hillsboro Clinic and Hillsboro Medical Center.

Patients at the center

“Patients are at the center of every decision we make when forming a partnership. Sanford is committed to keeping care local and building on the tradition of medicine Northwood is known for. We are excited to be partnering with Northwood,” said Rick Giesel, president, Sanford Health Network Fargo.

About Northwood Deaconess Health Center
Established in 1902 and owned by 11 Lutheran churches, NDHC employees more than 200 people. NDHC includes a 12-bed hospital, 61-bed skilled nursing facility (including a unit specializing in dementia care), six units assisted living, 10 units independent living,  a laboratory and X-ray services, physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy, cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation, ambulance services and community fitness center. Valley Community Health Center owns the attached clinic along with clinics in Grand Forks and Larimore, ND.  For more information, visit ndhc.net.

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have transformed how Sanford Health improves the human condition. For information, visit sanfordhealth.org.

This post was originally published on Nov. 3, 2011 and updated on May 15, 2019.