Children in Central America will soon have more pediatric healthcare closer to home. Sanford Health announced today its first international children’s clinic will be built in Belize City, Belize. The new Sanford Children’s Clinic Belize will be designed similar to other Sanford Children’s facilities and is expected to open in 2011. It is the second Sanford Children’s World Clinic announced by Sanford Health as part of the initiatives outlined after a $400 million donation from Denny Sanford in 2007.
“As the Belize population continues to grow and as Belize City is seen as a destination for commerce, the need for pediatric care in this community hasincreased,” stated Dave Link, Sanford Health Executive Vice President. “We look forward to expanding the pediatric care to this region and to its children.”
Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America with nearly 9,000 square miles of territory and 320,000 people, including more than 120,000 children.
“We, in Belize, learned of the mission and vision of Sanford Health and asked them to consider our community for a clinic location,” stated The Honorable Pablo Marin, Belize Minister of Health. “Under the guidance of Sanford Health and with the support of our local community, we are proud to soon offer this expanded healthcare service for children and families in our country.”
Sanford Children’s Clinic Belize will work collaboratively with a number of organizations to assist in development and on-going operations. These organizations include the Belize Healthcare Charitable Trust (BHCT), the Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust, Belize Healthcare Partners Limited and the Government of Belize; as well as a variety of other individuals and organizations.
“The BHCT was established by the Belize Bank, the largest full-service commercial banking operation in Belize,” said Mr. Philip Osborne, Trustee of the BHCT. “The focus of the trust is for the development, investment in, and provision of medical and healthcare services in Belize; for the benefit of the people of Belize. We very much look forward to working with Sanford Health to accomplish these goals.”
Link added, “As part of the discussion process, our team visited Belize twice. We have been very impressed with the community support for this clinic. This clinic is exemplary of our commitment that care is best delivered close to home, wherever that home may be.”
Sanford Children’s Clinic Belize will be connected to a comprehensive team of pediatric sub-specialists with Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Sanford Health will open its first Sanford Children’s Clinic location in Duncan, OK in August 2009.
Sanford Children’s International Board
Support for the development of future Sanford Children’s World Clinics will come from the newly formed Sanford Children’s International Board (SCIB), announced today by Sanford Health. Members of the SCIB will include national and international leaders whose experience and relationships make them effective advocates for children’s healthcare. In addition to assisting in the development of Sanford Children’s World Clinics, the SCIB will support the clinical and educational outreach activities of the Sanford Children’s Hospital and the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center. Two time U.S. Open champion and now successful golf commentator, Andy North, will chair the SCIB.
“The SCIB is a unique opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of children,” stated North. “This new advocacy board will inform and involve other leaders and children’s health champions. I’m honored to participate and look forward to sharing the Sanford Children’s story with others around the world.”
The SCIB will hold regular annual meetings with discussions and updates about Sanford Children’s, as well as host other special events at various locations around the U.S. and world.
About Sanford Health
Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Sanford Health’s comprehensive, integrated system includes nearly 440 providers in 128 clinic and satellite clinics. It also includes 23 hospitals, 12 nursing homes, 18 assisted living facilities and congregate living locations, 27 home health services and 19 pharmacies. With more than 10,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in the region. Its primary, 500-bed nonprofit tertiary care hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, serves an average of more than 50,000 inpatients annually. With more than 1.25 million outpatient visits each year, Sanford Health has served the 80,000 square mile, five-state region of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and NorthDakota for more than 110 years. Sanford Health is the largest healthcare system between Denver, CO and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Its divisions include Sanford USD Medical Center, Sanford Clinic, Sanford Health Network, Sanford Health Plan and Sanford Health Foundation. For more information, visit www.sanfordhealth.org.
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Posted In News, World Clinic
