Sanford Health will invest $300 million to boost rural health, the not-for-profit health system announced Friday.
The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based system plans to create eight new graduate medical residencies and fellowships, which Sanford hopes will foster a network of specialists in underserved rural communities. Sanford will also add new soccer, baseball and softball fields to its sports complex in Sioux Falls and expand its tournaments, sports training programs and youth and adult leagues.
"This effort will position Sanford Health as a global leader in rural care delivery, allow us to bring top clinicians to our region and enhance the health and well-being of the communities we serve," Sanford CEO Bill Gassen said in prepared remarks.
Sanford is also planning a virtual hospital that aims to provide remote access to its specialists for consultations, patient monitoring, assisted living support and critical care. It will allow patients to get care closer to home and ideally improve outcomes, said Erica DeBoer, chief nursing officer for Sanford.
"Using the best of technology, the virtual hospital will enable us to more easily provide a wide range of care, including for complex chronic diseases as well as care transitions, in a way that is convenient and accessible for our patients and residents," she said in prepared remarks.
Denny Sanford will fund the initiatives.
