Fargo Community Commitment Report

STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES

A LETTER FROM FARGO REGION PRESIDENT AND CEO TIFFANY LAWRENCE

At Sanford Health, we aim to deliver personalized, world-class primary, specialty and subspecialty care to the patients and communities we serve across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Over the years, we’ve brought this vision to life by improving primary care access in rural communities, expanding specialty outreach and introducing highly specialized services to the metro area. Today, Sanford Medical Center Fargo proudly serves as a hub for advanced health care in the upper Midwest, home to North Dakota’s only Level I Adult Trauma Center, Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, blood and bone marrow transplant program, Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and more.

Alongside these services, we recognize that delivering personalized, world-class care to our communities requires us to look beyond the traditional hospital and clinic settings. That’s why we are working to address social determinants of health and extend our impact through partnerships with community organizations. From our financial assistance programs to our nurses embedded in shelters across the Fargo-Moorhead area, we are committed to making our care more accessible and equitable for all.

Our dedicated employees are at the heart of these transformative efforts. To attract and retain the talented individuals we need to sustain and grow these initiatives, we have several innovative ways to address nationwide health care staffing shortages. Through our internationally educated nursing program and partnerships with schools and universities, we’re building a more resilient workforce and creating lasting solutions that will benefit our region for generations to come.

To highlight and celebrate the impact of this collaborative work, I am excited to share the second annual community commitment report . I am beyond grateful for our Sanford Health team and community partners who made this all possible, and I hope you find inspiration in their extraordinary achievements outlined in the following pages.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lawrence President and CEO Sanford Health, Fargo Region

ABOUT

Since 2009, Sanford Health has increased access to state-of-the-art, quality care for patients across the state of North Dakota and the upper Midwest. As a result, Sanford Health is now the region’s leading health care provider and North Dakota’s largest employer with over 11,000 employees. The organization serves the Fargo-Moorhead metro and its surrounding rural communities.

Within the metro area, there are several primary care and specialty clinics, as well as three acute care campuses – Sanford Medical Center Fargo, Sanford Broadway Medical Center and Sanford South University Medical Center. Together, these facilities house 764 licensed beds.

Sanford Health also provides care at clinics in more than 30 towns across the region and operates critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Mayville and Hillsboro, North Dakota, and Thief River Falls and Wheaton, Minnesota. The organization also assists eight additional CAHs with management support and access to services, such as an electronic medical record software.

FARGO REGIONAL NUMBERS

• Medical centers: 5

• Surgical centers: 2

• Clinic locations: 50

• Outreach clinic locations: 28

KEY RECOGNITIONS:

• American College of Surgeons: Level I Adult Trauma Center – Sanford Medical Center Fargo (SMCF)

• American College of Surgeons: Level II Pediatric Trauma Center – Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 5-Star Rating in 2024 – SMCF

• The Joint Commission: Gold Seal of Approval for hospital, behavioral health care, home care, hip fracture and total hip, knee and shoulder replacement

• The Joint Commission: Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center – SMCF

• U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospital in North Dakota” since 2020 – SMCF

• Infectious Diseases Society of America: Antimicrobial Stewardship Center of Excellence – SMCF

• Becker’s Healthcare “100 great neuro and spine programs for 2024” – Sanford Brain & Spine Center Fargo

• Becker’s Healthcare “100+ hospitals and health systems with great oncology programs for 2024” – Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center (RMCC)

• Becker’s Healthcare “100 hospitals and health systems with great orthopedic programs for 2024” – Sanford Fargo

• Becker’s Healthcare “52 hospitals and health systems with great innovation programs for 2024” – SMCF 8AB Innovation Unit

• Becker’s Healthcare “51 hospitals and health systems with great diabetes and endocrinology programs for 2024” – Sanford Fargo

• Becker’s Healthcare “60 hospitals and health systems with great psychiatry and behavioral health programs for 2024” – Sanford Fargo

• The Chartis Center for Rural Health Top 100 Critical Access Hospital – Sanford Thief River Falls and Mayville Medical Centers

• 2024 YWCA Cass-Clay Leader in Women’s Empowerment Award – Sanford Fargo

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center+ for maternity care – SMCF

• Only blood and bone marrow transplant program in the upper Midwest – RMCC

• Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services – Sanford Ambulance in Fargo

OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Our Mission

To care, comfort and cure.

Our Vision

To be the premier rural health system in the United States.

Our Values

• Service

• Courage

• Humility

• Stewardship

• Family

RURAL CARE CHALLENGES

People living in rural America face unique challenges. They are more likely to have fewer resources to access care and higher rates of poverty, food or housing insecurity, and chronic disease, which often lead to poorer health outcomes. At Sanford Health, twothirds of our patients live in rural areas. That’s why our care extends beyond our medical centers and clinics. We are active in the communities we serve and invest substantial resources to drive more opportunities and better health for all.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Every three years, Sanford Health conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to learn more about the health and well-being of the populations we serve. The CHNA allows us to identify and address unmet health needs through local partnership and initiatives. Responses from the 2023 survey help guide our work and build upon previous progress to develop new community health initiatives, offerings and programs.

In 2024, Sanford Health invested over $318 million in our communities across the Fargo region, providing essential services and programs aimed at improving access to care and positively impacting health and well-being.

CARE FOR ALL

Sanford Health is proud to provide care to anyone who comes to us in need. As a nonprofit organization, we provide a robust community care program to help patients who are uninsured or experiencing financial hardship access care.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Sanford Health offers financial assistance for patients who demonstrate financial need and require medically necessary services or emergency care. This assistance can range from a balance reduction to complete forgiveness. Sanford Health’s financial assistance program provides discounted and free services to all patients who qualify. Over 90% of patients who request financial assistance receive it. We also have patient advocates and financial counselors to assist patients on-site. In addition, as part of our presumptive community care policy, we proactively evaluate some demographic information and other factors to determine if a patient might need financial assistance.

CONNECTING PATIENTS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Sanford Health has a database that helps patients find and access community resources . The website sanford.findhelp.com compiles information to help address basic needs such as housing, food, transportation and child care. After entering their zip code, a patient can see free or reduced-cost programs nearby. This resource is available to anyone in need. Clinicians and nurses can also navigate the site on behalf of a patient. In 2024, referrals to Sanford.findhelp.com increased 79.9% from 2023, with the most common search topics being related to food, housing, health and financial needs.

PROVIDING AID TO PATIENTS LOCALLY

Sanford Health helps patients in need through the Providing Needed Aid to Patients Locally (PNAPL) Foundation Fund. The fund helps patients experiencing financial hardships meet their basic needs when no other funding or charitable options are available. Funding is used to help establish patient self-management and access to necessary items to streamline a plan of care.

FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY FUND

Through the Friends of the Family Fund, our patients receive food vouchers, lodging cards, gas cards and more. Patients receive access to this fund through help from our social workers. The fund is made possible thanks to generous donations to the Sanford Health Foundation.

PATIENT AND FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) is a collaborative group of patients, their family members and our staff dedicated to improving a variety of health care experiences. The PFAC provides valuable feedback, insights and recommendations to our leaders, ensuring care delivery is patient-centered, compassionate and constantly improving.

PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Sanford Health’s prescription assistance program offers tiered assistance based on income level to help patients afford their medication. If a patient indicates they can’t afford their medication, clinicians can presumptively qualify them. Patients who meet program guidelines are eligible for six months of prescription assistance.

In 2024, Sanford Health provided $700,000 in prescription assistance to patients in the Fargo region.

ACCESS

EXPANDED ACCESS

Across the Fargo region, Sanford Health is committed to ensuring our patients have access to the latest advancements in high-quality care.

EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Sanford Health is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive pre-hospital care. Our network of ground and air ambulances covering eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota allow us to respond to emergencies in rural, sparsely populated areas and transfer patients from other hospitals to the metro area for lifesaving critical care. Having these services readily available in small towns can make the difference for patients when minutes count.

TRAUMA CARE

Sanford Medical Center Fargo is the state’s only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo is the state’s only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, providing our patients with access to the highest levels of expert trauma care close to home. In 2024, Sanford Medical Center Fargo provided trauma care to 2,739 patients, a 70% increase since first earning the Level I Adult Trauma Center verification from the American College of Surgeons in 2018. This growth demonstrates the immense need for advanced services in the region.

STROKE CARE

Sanford Medical Center Fargo has been certified as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission since 2017. This means our team provides 24/7 access to the highest level of neuro-critical and intensive care in the state. We also offer support to rural hospitals using Tele-ICU and Telestroke, providing remote guidance for the care of stroke patients.

In addition, our patients have access to the only brain injury rehabilitation program in the state accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. To further improve physical and occupational therapy outcomes for stroke patients, we introduced Vivistim therapy, a small device implanted under the skin that stimulates the brain, in 2024.

HEART CARE

Sanford Health is proud to make high-quality heart care more accessible across North Dakota and the upper Midwest. Our 400-member multidisciplinary heart team provides advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments and coordinated care at every stage of the patient journey – from prevention and screening to complex interventions and rehabilitation. We continue to expand options and improve outcomes for patients who previously had limited treatment options, which notably includes performing North Dakota’s first TriClip procedure for tricuspid valve repair in 2024, a breakthrough non-surgical treatment for heart valve issues. In addition, access to heart care extends far beyond Fargo through outreach to 17 rural communities, expanded diagnostic capacity and the addition of Sanford’s first interventional cardiologist in East Grand Forks in 2024.

The heart team cared for 15,563 patients from across the Fargo region in 2024.

CANCER CARE

The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center (RMCC) in Fargo has brought advanced cancer treatments and technology closer to home for patients across the region, welcoming 600 patients through its doors each day. One of these advanced treatments is highdose brachytherapy, which offers fewer side effects and precise tumor targeting. RMCC patients also benefit from Varian linear accelerators, which can reduce the number of treatments they need to fewer than five.

Another notable offering is the blood and bone marrow transplant program that launched in 2021. This program offers autologous transplants, where patients receive their own healthy cells to rebuild their blood and immune system after chemotherapy, or allogeneic transplants using donor cells for the same purpose. The program also includes CAR T-cell therapy, where a patient’s own cells are removed and modified to identify and destroy cancer cells when re-infused. This is the only program of its kind available in the upper Midwest and allows patients to receive weeks or months of treatment close to home.

In addition, Sanford Health provides oncology outreach to Jamestown Regional Medical Center and operates two Roger Maris Cancer Center infusion centers in rural communities, one at Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center and another in partnership with Perham Health .

15,092 patients relied on the RMCC team for care across the region in 2024.

ENHANCED CANCER DETECTION

Sanford Health is enhancing cancer detection through the integration of new tools and technologies that are improving access, accuracy and early diagnosis. In 2024, Sanford Health became the first organization in North Dakota to utilize the Medtronic GI Genius, an AI tool that detects potentially pre-cancerous polyps during a colonoscopy faster than the average endoscopist.

To further improve colon cancer detection, Sanford Health distributed 45,000 Cologuard kits to patients across its system that same year. The organization also introduced Intuitive Ion technology in 2023, a robotic-assisted platform for minimally invasive biopsies in hard-to-reach areas of the lungs, enhancing the detection of early-stage lung cancer. With the help of this new tool and strong collaboration between oncology and primary care providers, the number of patients across the region diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer has decreased by 17% since 2020. In addition, Sanford has added 3D mammography systems to several clinics in the Fargo region and operates a 3D mobile mammography unit, offering access to advanced technology for patients in rural areas.

THORACIC SURGERY PROGRAM

In 2024, Sanford Fargo introduced North Dakota’s first and only dedicated thoracic surgery program, offering highly specialized care for patients with conditions affecting the chest, including the lungs, esophagus and chest wall. Notably, this addition has expanded the depth and expertise of our Level I trauma program, improving our ability to treat traumatic chest injuries. In addition, this program has strengthened our multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer care, supporting timelier and coordinated surgical interventions.

ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEMS

In 2024, Sanford Fargo enhanced access to advanced surgical care by becoming the first and only organization in North Dakota to acquire the Intuitive da Vinci 5 (DV5) Surgical System, receiving two of the first 170 models distributed worldwide. These state-of-the-art systems offer less invasive procedures, shortened operative times, lower risk of surgical site infections and decreased overall length of stay for patients. The two new DV5 units join three earlier-generation da Vinci systems already in use, expanding surgical capacity and options for patients. Surgeons at Sanford Medical Center Fargo use the da Vinci robots on a wide variety of surgical cases, including gynecology, urology, surgical oncology, cardiology, bariatric and more. In addition to the da Vinci systems, the organization utilizes the ExcelsiusGPS, a robotic navigation system, for precise spine and cranial procedures.

HOSPITAL AT HOME PROGRAM

Sanford Medical Center Fargo launched North Dakota’s first and only Hospital at Home program in 2024 , which allows eligible patients to receive the same high-quality care, medications and supplies as they would in a traditional hospital setting, all from the comfort of their own home. Through this program, a nurse visits a patient twice per day at home and a hospitalist completes a daily virtual visit using electronic health care devices for remote patient exams. In addition, a command center RN is available 24/7 to coordinate care. This innovative approach not only helps improve the experience for patients who can safely recover at home, but also optimizes hospital capacity, ensuring timely access for those with more complex medical needs.

VIRTUAL CARE SATELLITE CLINIC

Sanford Health opened the organization’s first virtual care satellite clinic in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, in 2023. This care delivery model provides expanded clinic hours and services, allowing patients to connect with a provider virtually for primary care services, follow-up appointments, urgent care and specialty consultations.

CHILDREN’S SPECIALTY CARE

Sanford Children’s Hospital Fargo is the only member of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) in North Dakota. The cutting-edge facility offers access to the latest technology and creates a supportive, engaging environment for kids receiving treatment – thanks to child life specialists, the Cully’s Cabin play area, music therapy, Fox the facility dog and more.

The children’s hospital is also home to North Dakota’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), providing the highest level of care possible for infants. In 2023, the hospital launched its micro-preemie program, offering even more specialized care for infants born before 26 weeks gestation or weighing less than 28 ounces. Beyond these services, Sanford Health is home to the state’s only pediatric feeding disorders clinic, full-spectrum pediatric dialysis clinic and multidisciplinary immunodeficiency clinic that allows for patients to see all their specialty providers in one appointment and receive a comprehensive care plan.

As the sole provider of many pediatric services in North Dakota, Sanford Health in Fargo had the privilege of providing inpatient and outpatient care to 27,032 children in 2024.

Micropreemie gets to go home after 137 days in NICU

By Jason Anschutz

The Gajeski family of Emerado, North Dakota, has spent their fair share of time at Sanford Health this year. Last May, Jadeyn Gajeski went to her 20-week pregnancy checkup in Grand Forks. That’s when her world turned upside down.

“They did the ultrasound and they saw that my cervix was shortened to nothing. It was unmeasurable is how they worded it,” Gajeski said. “They stitch your cervix, just try to hold baby in longer. It did not last.”

At just 22 weeks and three days of her pregnancy, Gajeski was rushed to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo to give birth. Her son was immediately taken to Sanford Fargo’s Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the only facility in the region capable of caring for a baby born so early.

“It’s very scary and it just doesn’t seem real that you’re actually going to have a baby so soon. You know, you were just celebrating. You’re halfway through your pregnancy and here you are. So you have no idea how it’s going to go. It’s terrifying,” she said.

On May 21, Henry Gajeski was born 18 weeks early. He weighed just 15 ounces.

“You can’t breathe. Your chest is tight. You’re just constantly worried. And then you see him and he’s see-through and he is hooked up to all these things,” Gajeski remembered, fighting back tears. “You don’t think you’re going to come home with a baby. You really don’t.”

Dedicated NICU team

That’s where Mohamed Mohamed, M.D., and the NICU team at Sanford Health come in.

“We love babies. We love premature babies, and that’s the not only the physician, it’s all the staff,” said Dr. Mohamed. “We’re a very dedicated team to take care of this baby.”

Babies born at 22 weeks are at the limit of viability, with the national survival rate sitting around just 30%. Dr. Mohamed says Sanford has seen about a dozen premature babies like Henry in the past five years. And their survival rate is about 60%.

“We have a micropreemie program, which is a specialized program to take care of the little ones,” Dr. Mohamed said. “The smaller you are, you’ll have immature organ systems and that includes the brain, the small intestine, the lungs, the heart and the skin, the immune system. Every system might cause or pose a risk of having a life-threatening event. In the case of Henry, he needed to be on the breathing machine right away. And he stayed on the breathing machine for two months.”

‘He’s a miracle’

Little Henry went through a lot at Sanford. He survived a perforated bowel, an infection of the heart, and even now as a relatively healthy baby, he has had to have eye surgery for a condition called retinopathy of prematurity.

In total, Henry spent 137 days in the Sanford Fargo NICU. Now though, he is 8 months old, bringing joy to his parents Jadeyn and Andrew every single day.

“It really makes you feel like you have a miracle in your hands,” Jadeyn Gajeski said. “He is the strongest boy I know. I mean, he’s just amazing. I know he is really meant to be here.”

For Dr. Mohamed and the Sanford staff, seeing Henry healthy after all this time brings its own joys.

“We put the effort, and we work hard toward having a good outcome,” said Dr. Mohamed. “But when I see Henry now in front of me and he’s interacting and he’s doing very well, this is what gives me joy for my job.”

And for the Gajeskis, there truly is nothing like holding their little boy.

“It’s the best thing ever. I mean, you just look at him randomly at home and you get tears. You do,” Jadeyn Gajeski said. “Because he’s a miracle.”

Originally published on March 6, 2024

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

As a rural health care system, we understand the unique barriers our patients face in accessing behavioral health care, and we are working to address these challenges, so every patient has access to the expert care and support they need when they need it.

A COMPREHENSIVE TEAM AND SERVICES

Our team of more than 100 behavioral health professionals works together to provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, including group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, adolescent and adult partial hospitalization programs, virtual care appointments and more. In addition, Sanford Health ensures non-behavioral health team members across the Fargo region are equipped to identify behavioral health concerns. Specialized education is provided to staff and behavioral health screenings are embedded into the clinic intake process.

BeHEARD

Employees are offered an interactive, virtual Behavioral Health Education Awareness and Response Development (BeHEARD) course created by experts in behavioral health, educational design and evaluation. The course helps participants increase their knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting individuals with a wide range of behavioral health concerns. To further the impact of BeHEARD, Sanford Health partnered with First International Bank & Trust to bring this training to educators across North and South Dakota. The course includes five hours of self-learning modules and a four-hour live virtual session led by Sanford Health staff.

Throughout 2024, the program impacted 28 schools and welcomed 146 participants, with 92 from North Dakota. Of those who participated, 90% said it made it easier for them to understand the feelings of youth aged 10-17 with behavioral health concerns.

EATING DISORDERS & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT CENTER

The Sanford Eating Disorders & Weight Management Center in Fargo provides care for patients with eating disorders and weight loss. To treat eating disorders, our team offers outpatient, inpatient and partial hospitalization programs and tailors each care plan to a patient’s unique needs, understanding that everyone’s triggers and motivations are different. For weight loss, our comprehensive program promotes healthy lifestyles and relationships with food to assist patients in finding long-term, sustainable solutions.

TRAUMATIC STRESS TREATMENT CENTER

The Sanford Traumatic Stress Treatment Center in Fargo offers assessments and treatments to children who have experienced trauma. The treatment center is the only comprehensive medical and behavioral health facility for traumatized children and families in North Dakota.

SELF-SCHEDULING

To increase access to services, Sanford Health allows patients 10 years and older to self-schedule virtual behavioral health appointments without a referral from a primary care provider.

ON-SITE ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED

Sanford Health emergency departments are staffed with virtual psychiatrists to ensure patients with emergent behavioral health concerns are triaged quickly. In an emergency, a psychiatrist consults with the on-site provider and recommends appropriate next steps, including transfer to an inpatient behavioral health unit if necessary or discharge home with a safety plan.

In addition, integrated health therapists (IHTs) are embedded into primary care clinics and specialty departments across the region. If a patient expresses a need or a provider identifies a patient who would benefit from further assessment, an IHT is on site to have a conversation immediately, ensuring they leave their appointment with a follow-up plan.

FIRSTLINK PARTNERSHIP

Sanford Health proudly supports FirstLink, a free, confidential service offering 24/7 support, referrals to resources and crisis intervention. We partner with FirstLink to help with referrals and provide funding for their care and support program, which provides emotional support through phone calls, texts and caring cards to those experiencing behavioral health challenges.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CLINIC

In 2024, we launched the Sanford Fargo Substance Use Disorder Clinic to provide comprehensive support and treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The clinic provides substance use evaluations, medication assisted treatment, low intensity outpatient programming, care coordination, peer support, and individual and group counseling services. This clinic was made possible through the North Dakota Health and Human Services Opioid Settlement Fund Grant.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BRIDGE

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanford Health and the University of North Dakota partnered to launch the initial phase of the Behavioral Health Bridge, a website filled with mental health resources. The website makes it easy for community members and health care providers to find information about common mental health concerns and resources to support or treat them. Sanford Health continues to leverage the Behavioral Health Bridge to promote awareness and support those who may be struggling.

SUPPORT

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Poverty and other social barriers, such as a lack of access to healthy foods, stable housing, transportation, education and employment, are particularly acute in rural areas. At Sanford Health, we are active in the communities we serve and invest substantial resources to drive more opportunities and better health for all.

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICS

Community paramedics in Fargo provide regular care and checkups to patients who have trouble traveling to receive medical attention. Their services are essential for chronic disease management, medication management and health assessments that help patients stay on top of their care and avoid the need for emergency transport and services.

GERIATRIC CARE AT HOME

The Geriatric Care at Home program delivers high-quality, team-based primary care directly to elderly patients in the comfort of their homes. The interdisciplinary team includes primary care clinicians, RN care managers, social workers, integrated health therapists and pharmacy team members, ensuring patients receive expert guidance, personalized care and seamless access to resources. The program serves more than 100 patients and continues to expand.

PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES IN NURSING HOMES

Behavioral health disorders are prevalent among older generations, particularly in nursing homes. To make our services more accessible to this population, we have our fourth-year psychiatry residents offer services in Fargo-Moorhead metro nursing homes, including Bethany Retirement Living, Eventide Senior Living and Fargo Elim.

TRAINING SITE FOR U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES MEDICS

In 2023, Sanford Health joined the Special Operations Combat Medic program to help train U.S. Army Special Forces medics. As part of their training, soldiers spend three weeks at Sanford Medical Center Fargo gaining hands-on experience with trauma and emergency medicine.

HERO

Sanford Health donates funding, medical supplies and equipment to the Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization (HERO) Cares Program. The program helps provide medical supplies and equipment at lower to no cost for individuals overwhelmed by an accident, illness, insurance or economic circumstances.

PARTNERSHIP WITH FARGO PARK DISTRICT

In 2024, the Fargo Parks Sports Center opened at the Sanford Sports Complex in south Fargo, the result of a strategic partnership between Sanford Health and the Fargo Park District. The center serves as a community hub for athletics and activities and is home to Sanford Sports Performance and the Sanford Sports Academy teams.

SUPPORTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Sanford Health is proud to support the development of youth through a variety of camps, clinics and educational programs. Each summer, Sanford Health serves as the medical director for Kamp KACE (Kids Against Cancer Everywhere), a summer camp for children facing cancer. Pediatric oncology staff also volunteer their time to help run the camp. In addition, the Roger Maris Academy, a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley and the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber, connects middle school students with mentors and future career pathways. We also host youth sports clinics during our annual Roger Maris All-Star Week, where kids can experience a variety of sports for free and learn from college and professional athletes. Sanford Health also leads the Teiken Academy (made possible by a generous donation from Brent and Jodell Teiken) in partnership with Moorhead Senior High School to support the development of ninth grade football players every August. These and many other meaningful programs and partnerships are helping empower local youth with the skills, support and opportunities they need to thrive.

SAFE KIDS FARGO-MOORHEAD

Safe Kids Fargo-Moorhead is led by Sanford Health. The dedicated staff implement evidencebased programs to keep kids safe. Programs include car seat checkups and safety workshops. The Safe Kids Fargo-Moorhead team participates in various community events and has two locations: one inside Sanford Children’s Southwest Clinic and one freestanding at the Sanford Children’s Safety Center in Fargo.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION CERTIFICATION CLASSES

Sanford Ambulance provides CPR, first aid, EMS and advanced cardiac care certification classes for child care providers, rural EMS teams, independent health care clinics, skilled nursing facilities and more. These offerings ensure these individuals and organizations have the necessary training they need to operate and provide services within their respective areas.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND RESOURCES

Our Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation (CARE) Clinic in Fargo is the only clinic in North Dakota with a dedicated team specializing in child maltreatment. This clinic operates in collaboration with the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center to prevent child abuse and diagnose, treat and evaluate children who have unknown injuries or have been abused.

PARENTING AND CAREGIVER CLASSES

Sanford Health offers a variety of educational courses about what to expect during and after pregnancy. The organization also offers soon-to-be and current parents and grandparents classes on how to use sign language, keep children safe around pets and more.

ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY

In collaboration with the Great Plains Food Bank, Sanford Health operates wellness pantries in the Fargo-Moorhead area and the rural North Dakota towns of Oakes, Valley City, Hillsboro and Mayville. The latest addition to these efforts came in late 2023 at our Sanford Moorhead Campus. The clinic launched a food box program that offers prepackaged meals for children’s, family medicine and women’s health care patients who screen positive for food insecurity. Food box programs are also available within the women’s health care spaces at Sanford Broadway Medical Center, Sanford Southpointe Clinic and Sanford West Fargo Clinic.

UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY SUPPORT

Sanford Health is a proud supporter of the United Way of Cass-Clay and member of the United to End Homelessness Council. Each year, Sanford Health hosts an annual internal fundraising campaign to benefit the United Way of Cass-Clay and participates in other events throughout the year, such as their annual school supply drive. In recognition of these efforts in 2024, Sanford Health received the #1 Engaged Workplace and Heart

of our Community Award and was named the #6 Generous Workplace. In addition, the more than 70 Sanford Health employees who serve as internal United Way Campaign Ambassadors received the United Way MVP Award.

Sanford Fargo’s 2024 employee giving campaign helped raise more than $121,000 to support the United Way of Cass-Clay’s mission.

RE-ENTRY PROGRAM WITH PENNINGTON COUNTY JAIL

The Sanford Thief River Falls Behavioral Health Center partners with Pennington County Jail to provide a re-entry program for inmates nearing the end of their sentence. This program helps inmates manage stress and develop the necessary skills they need to successfully return to the community. Sanford Health leads two group sessions each week and offers open office hours to address individual behavioral health needs. Since the program started in 2023, the nurses at the jail have noted a decline in the need for additional behavioral health services. In 2024 alone, the program supported 57 inmates.

SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING RESOURCES

To support the medical needs of those experiencing homelessness, Sanford Health provides integrated care across emergency shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing in the Fargo-Moorhead metro. Registered nurses work on-site at YWCA Cass Clay, New Life Center and Dorothy Day House to provide counseling and medical respite for individuals recovering from surgery and assist with wound care, medication management, dietary needs and medical education. These nurses are essential resources for the community case management team, collaborating closely with social workers and shelter staff to coordinate care, especially as individuals prepare to discharge from the hospital. The continuum of care for this patient population is further strengthened by monthly visits through Sanford Health’s medical resident program, which brings physician level services directly into these facilities. In addition, our fourth-year psychiatric residents provide care at the YWCA Cass Clay and the downtown engagement center in Fargo.

ADVANCEMENT

WORKFORCE SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

The future health of our communities rests on our ability to attract and develop highly trained clinicians and employees. Sanford Health has prioritized breakthrough initiatives to support the workforce we need today and know we will need tomorrow.

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Sanford Medical Center Fargo is the largest teaching hospital in North Dakota, providing clinical training for hundreds of students and medical residents in numerous fields of study.

In partnership with the University of North Dakota, Sanford Health offers nine residency programs – adult psychiatry, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, neurology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, podiatry and transitional year. The organization also offers three fellowship programs – geriatrics, hematology-oncology and neuropsychology postdoctoral. In 2024, we provided training to 148 residents and fellows through these programs.

Sanford Health proudly partners with Concordia College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, North Dakota State College of Science, North Dakota State University, Rasmussen College, the University of Jamestown and the University of North Dakota to provide education support and hands-on clinical experience for nurses in training. In 2024, we provided 118,883 practicum and clinical hours to 1,745 student nurses.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Sanford Health offers various scholarship and sponsorship opportunities in our most needed and high growth professions, such as nursing, behavioral health, EMS, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, radiology and more. Notably, in 2024, Sanford Health partnered with the University of North Dakota to establish three endowments aimed at enhancing programs within the Department of Sports Medicine and the School of Medicine & Health Sciences, as well as offer scholarships for students pursuing psychology, clinical psychology or careers in behavioral health. These efforts address a critical need, as over 60% of rural counties do not have a psychiatrist and over 40% do not have a psychologist.

Through collaborations with regional colleges and universities, Sanford Health also provides financial assistance tied to educational and employment pathways. For example, in 2024, we partnered with the University of Jamestown to launch accelerated programs for an associate degree in nursing and a direct-entry Master of Science in nursing, both offering tuition assistance in return for a four-year employment agreement with Sanford Health. We also support a paramedic apprenticeship program with the North Dakota State College of Science and an LPN apprenticeship with Lake Region State College, both of which allow students to earn while they learn in our facilities. These strategic partnerships, among many others, help students achieve their career goals while addressing health care workforce shortages across the region.

ASPIRE BY SANFORD

Through Aspire by Sanford , elementary through college-age students have opportunities to explore careers in health care and develop the skills necessary for success in the workforce. With hands-on learning experiences and mentorship opportunities, the program seeks to inspire the next generation of health care professionals to enter the workforce.

In 2024, Sanford Health impacted 12,428 students through Aspire programming across the Fargo region.

INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED NURSES

Sanford Health launched its internationally educated nursing (IEN) program in 2021 as an innovative and ongoing solution to health care workforce challenges. As of 2024, the program has welcomed more than 280 internationally trained and qualified nurses to the Fargo region, with plans to continue hiring 100 more annually. To support successful integration into U.S. practice, the organization launched the IEN Fellowship program in 2024. This initiative provides ongoing communication, culture of safety and professional development support and education for nurses.

DISCOVERY

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Clinical trials are key to advancing the science of medicine and helping patients quickly benefit from new discoveries. But historically, clinical trial recruitment has been focused in larger urban areas. Sanford Health is proud to pave the way and make these trials and treatments more accessible for rural patients.

ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS CLOSE TO HOME

The Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center is proud to be a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) site, which gives our patients access to state-of-the-art clinical trials. Our program typically has between 80 to 100 clinical trials open across most cancer types.

In addition, our pediatric oncology program in Fargo is part of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), an NCI supported clinical trials group devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. As a COG site, we can offer our pediatric patients access to the latest clinical trials and treatments.

Sanford Health is also a participant in the NCI’s Connect for Cancer Prevention study This nationwide study looks to identify how certain factors like geographical location or occupation may lead to a cancer diagnosis later in life. Individuals in the Midwest are often exposed to potentially harmful carcinogens that are unique to rural populations, so this study will help us better understand the risk factors in our region.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESEARCH

The Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research in Fargo is a clinical research and education facility with a particular focus on eating disorders, bariatric surgery, child traumatic stress and mental health care delivery in rural settings. The research team also conducts various behavioral health trauma research and proudly partners with state and

national entities for funding. Through trauma research, education and training across North Dakota, our team aims to increase access to evidence-based treatments for children and their families.

PEDIATRICS AND RARE DISEASE RESOURCES

Sanford Health’s Population Level Estimate of Type 1 Diabetes Risk Genes in Children (PLEDGE ) study works to screen and identify children at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes or celiac disease. First launched in 2020, the program provides education, ongoing monitoring and appropriate early intervention to prevent serious illness for children with risk markers.

Sanford Research launched the Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford (CoRDS) platform to further connect rare disease patients and researchers. CoRDS provides a secure online space for patients with rare diseases to share their experiences and medical histories. They can also find support, connect with others facing similar challenges and contribute to scientific advancements. In addition, the platform enables researchers to access a diverse pool of patient data, accelerating rare disease collaboration, research and treatment development.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE FARGO REGION

Making our communities stronger and healthier is at the core of everything we do at Sanford Health. To learn more about our community involvement, please visit sanfordhealth.org/about/ community-commitment.