Sanford Health

For many people living in rural America, quiet, wide-open spaces with fewer homes and businesses allow for a more tranquil lifestyle. However, it can also mean fewer health care resources and more barriers to care. And when you serve a rural footprint, your patients aren't the only ones living in rural communities – your providers are, too. In the latest edition of the Reimagining Rural Health newsletter, we take an inside look into the life of a provider who splits her time between the medical field and the hay field. Follow the link to read and subscribe. #ruralheatlhcare

Please join me in celebrating National Rural Health Day! At Sanford Health, this is a special day to recognize our rural patient and resident populations and our talented physicians, APPs and caregivers who work around the clock to deliver world-class health care to these communities.? As the largest rural health care system in the country, Sanford Health is proud to follow our calling to deliver exceptional rural health care to communities across the upper Midwest.? Anyone who has lived in a rural community knows the unique challenges that come from being far away from a clinic or hospital. By embracing innovation, Sanford Health is fulfilling our promise to be there for every patient, no matter where they live or when they need access to care. This week’s grand opening of the new Sanford Virtual Care Center underscores our commitment to delivering world-class health care to our patients wherever they are, regardless of their zip code. #PowerofRural #NationalRuralHealthDay?

"She's not just a good nurse. She's like a little angel." Those are the words Christopher Doss uses to describe Lindsey Zandonadi, the woman he says saved his life. The two first met at Micah's Mission emergency shelter in Moorhead, Minnesota, where Zandonadi is a registered nurse care manager at Sanford Health. The care Zandonadi provided to Doss, and others at Micah's Mission, is part of a program set up by the Sanford Community Case Management team to give much-needed assistance to vulnerable residents in the Fargo-Moorhead area. A handful of nurses provide care at places like Micah's Mission and Bright Skies transitional apartment complex in Moorhead, the YWCA women's and children's shelter in Fargo, and the New Life male shelter in Fargo. At these locations, RNs assist with everything from wound care and medication management to dietary needs and general education on medical diagnoses. In the month of September alone, program estimates show it diverted 85 unnecessary ER trips, 14 hospital stays, 131 walk-in or urgent care visits, and 6 ambulance calls. Read more: https://san.fo/4931lOU

Nick Olson, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Sanford Health, spoke with Modern Healthcare about what we prioritize in our partnerships with Medicare Advantage plans: keeping patients at the center, understanding the unique needs of our rural populations and fostering long-term trusted relationships. "It's really about, 'What do we need in a partnership that constantly puts the patient at the center?'" says Olson. Read more in Modern Healthcare: https://san.fo/48XUoP0

In this feature story from their November issue, "Innovations In: Solutions for Health Equity," Scientific American highlights groundbreaking efforts from Dr. Johnna Nynas, OB-GYN at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, where we are working to strengthen access to maternal health care and improve outcomes in rural northern Minnesota. By sending patients home with simple equipment like blood pressure cuffs and fetal heart-rate monitors, we are bringing prenatal care closer to women. Close collaboration with community-based organizations has also been a critical part of our work. By connecting patients to vital resources like transportation, an in-hospital food pantry and a visiting nurse program, we are helping to reduce ZIP code based disparities. Read more: https://san.fo/3Zgy1kD

For the second consecutive year, Sanford Health has been named to the Forbes list of America's Best Employers for Veterans. This recognition is based on feedback from nearly 24,000 U.S. veterans, evaluating employers on everything from work environment and career development to veteran-specific support. "Our commitment to military members, veterans and their families is unwavering across our health system, and we will continue to provide employment opportunities for service members who are interested in joining the Sanford family," said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. Read more: https://san.fo/3YJMowl

Thank you to Newsweek and Alexis Kayser for this terrific feature story about our state-of-the-art Virtual Care Center, a project that has been in the works since 2021, which is set to open today in Sioux Falls, SD. A $350 million gift from Denny Sanford—businessman, philanthropist and the health system's namesake—funded the initiative to transform care delivery in rural America. Sanford Health was an early adopter of telehealth, according to Susan Berry, vice president of operations for virtual care. While COVID-19 sparked new interest in virtual care delivery, Sanford was investing in the space more than a decade ago. It's a necessity for patients who can't access certain services without crossing state lines. As virtual care gains popularity, a dedicated center will help Sanford refine its methods and expand its reach, said Dr. Dave Newman, the system's chief medical officer of virtual care: "It's really a concept more than a building." The space includes dedicated areas to support innovation, patient experience and provider education. Dr. Newman also discussed how providers of all generations are picking up on virtual care. Young hires expect the work-life balance that remote visits can bring. Mid-career employees can see where the industry is headed and don't want to be left behind. Even older providers are using virtual care to extend their careers by working from home a few days a week. Melissa Cook, an integrated health therapist and the system's first virtual therapist, added: “’I find that my work virtually is more impactful for me and for patients. I get a unique window into their lives.’" Read more: https://san.fo/40VTlwW

Scrubs Camps, also known as "South Dakota Healthcare Career Camps," are educational programs aimed at high school students who are interested in exploring healthcare careers. These camps, organized by the South Dakota Department of Health and its partners, provide participants with an opportunity to learn about various healthcare professions, gain hands-on experience, and interact with healthcare professionals. Kudos to the students and Sanford Health professionals who participated at Scrubs Camps in Chamberlain last week!

"I'm proud that Sanford Health and Good Samaritan Society support our veterans in our community and engage with them because they're the reason we're here and able to do what we do," said Jennifer Batesel, assisted living manager at Good Samaritan Society – Mountain Home in Arkansas. In Baxter County, Arkansas, Dan Hall has organized an annual veterans appreciation picnic with a purpose. Hall is a Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran and commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 in Mountain Home. He has helped reduce the number of suicides in the community by assembling a "veterans encouragement team" to help those struggling with housing, employment and other factors. Watch the story: https://san.fo/48TaObu

The Honorable David Shulkin, MD, the ninth U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Donald Trump, has joined the Sanford Health Board of Trustees. Dr. Shulkin previously helped Sanford develop a way for veterans to get information about their personal genetics while undergoing care for cancer. "If there ever was a health system that was committed to doing something meaningful [for veterans], it would be Sanford," Dr. Shulkin said. Read more: https://san.fo/48OHJO6