Sanford Health

I’m incredibly proud to share that Sanford Bismarck has been named a 5‑star hospital on the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list – one of only 259 hospitals nationwide to earn this distinction. This recognition places us among the top-performing hospitals in the entire country and reflects the outstanding work happening across our organization every day. What makes this especially meaningful is that the Forbes rating evaluates hospitals on outcomes, best practices, value and patient experience – key measures that directly reflect the quality of care our teams provide. These results are also adjusted for important factors like community demographics and access to services, helping ensure a fair comparison across hospitals nationwide. To our clinicians, nurses, support teams and leaders: thank you. Your dedication to our patients is the reason we can celebrate achievements like this. And to our community, thank you for trusting us with your care. Being recognized at this level inspires us to continue delivering exceptional care close to home. I’m honored to lead this team and proud to see Sanford Bismarck represent North Dakota on a national stage alongside Sanford Fargo. https://lnkd.in/g9vbUDCm

Four medical centers in the Marshfield Clinic Health System region of Sanford Health have earned awards on the Women's Choice Award 2026 Best Hospitals Award Report. The Women's Choice Award for Best Hospitals is a credential that identifies the nation's best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations, with a special focus on the female experience. Marshfield Medical Center - Eau Claire was awarded in Women's Services. Marshfield Medical Center - Minocqua was awarded in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Obstetrics and Patient Safety. Marshfield Medical Center - Weston was awarded in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Orthopedics, Patient Safety, Small Hospitals for Comprehensive Care and Women's Services. Park Falls - Marshfield Medical Center was awarded in Emergency Care. "These recognitions reflect the extraordinary commitment of our providers and staff, who consistently exceed national standards," said Dr. Brian Hoerneman, president and CEO of Marshfield Clinic. "Every day, they work to provide safe, high quality, and accessible care, offering the best experience possible for our patients." Learn more: https://san.fo/4sMYKlk

Sanford USD Medical Center and Sanford Medical Center Fargo have been named to Becker's Healthcare's list of "Great Hospitals in America." The two medical centers are the only hospitals in the states of South Dakota and North Dakota to be named to the list, respectively. The hospitals recognized on the list stand out for their exceptional clinical performance, unwavering focus on patient safety and dedication to innovation, research and education. "This recognition affirms that the care and services we provide meet national standards of excellence and our ongoing commitment to expanding access to world-class care across the metro and rural communities we serve," said Tiffany Lawrence, Sanford Fargo president and CEO. "I'm incredibly grateful for our exceptional leadership team, clinicians, nurses and support staff, whose dedication made this achievement possible." Andy Munce, president and CEO of Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, echoed those sentiments: "This recognition is truly a team effort. While we have had several architectural improvements at our medical center campus, the core of our success comes down to the providers, nurses, therapists and all of our critically important frontline health care workers." Read more: https://san.fo/3Nw6Izc

On a recent visit to our Virtual Care Center, sailors from the Navy Bureau of Medicine were given the opportunity to learn about virtual care and the use of simulation for clinical education. "It provides individuals that are in clinical situations or clinical roles in that military environment the opportunity to tap into the specialty care that Sanford provides," said Travis Spier, MSN, RN, Sanford Health's director of simulation and pre-hospital care. Learn more about how that training leads to experience and better outcomes for patients in the Midwest and beyond: https://san.fo/471T91C

Before becoming a family and sports medicine doctor with Sanford Health in Aberdeen, Dr. Kendall Vogel started the first primary care sports medicine clinic at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. He then deployed with Special Operations Task Force – North and West Africa as a deputy command surgeon. Now, he's serving patients in the Aberdeen area, as well as student-athletes as team doctor for Northern State University athletics. Sanford Health's priority of being an employer of choice for veterans, those serving in the military and their spouses, contributed to Dr. Vogel's decision to move to rural South Dakota. "It's nerve-wracking to leave the military, leave that consistency, that environment that you know," he said. "To have an organization that's willing to help you through that process, to recognize the anxieties that go along with that, is super helpful." Read more: https://san.fo/4jTRh04

"Good Samaritan has provided me an opportunity to not only be a leader, but to be able to help residents get better outcomes." As an administrator in training at Good Samaritan Society – Ottumwa in southeast Iowa, Thuku Kamau's third day on the job came with a 'jaw-dropping moment,' a cultural connection and a new friend in Deborah Johnson, a resident at the location who shares his East African roots. Read the full story: https://san.fo/3ZkFiip

Sanford Health recently announced new executive leadership appointments designed to accelerate system-wide transformation, reinforcing the organization's commitment to innovation, value-based care and integrated care and coverage to improve access, affordability, quality and long-term sustainability across the communities it serves in the upper rural Midwest. Tommy Ibrahim, MD, MBA, MHA, is transitioning from his role as executive vice president and president and CEO of Sanford Health Plan to executive vice president and chief transformation officer. In this new enterprise-wide role, Dr. Ibrahim will oversee technology, digital strategy, AI, enterprise data analytics, innovation and Sanford Research to drive system-wide transformation. Matt Hocks, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume accountability for Sanford Health Plan and Security Health Plan and lead the system strategy to integrate care and coverage. Learn more: https://san.fo/3LFrmfD

Medical professionals are invited to join the Edith Sanford Breast Center’s annual symposium on April 24, a dedicated day of learning focused on the latest advancements and best practices in breast health and cancer care. This year’s event offers both in‑person and virtual attendance options to make participation accessible for providers across the region. Registration is $50 for the public and free for Sanford Health employees and students.

Congratulations to our 2025 Sioux Falls Region Employee of the Year winners! (1/3) Lisa Fink, CRNA Morgan Fossum Rich White Dan Van Roekel Jessie Wolf, RN Kristie McGee, RN Autumn Lamberty April Timat, RN Stacie Carpenter Wendy Solberg