One man helping thousands help millions more. This is the legacy of Denny Sanford and his extraordinary gifts to Sanford Health. His investments in our healthcare initiatives allow thousands of employees to improve the lives of millions of patients now and into the future.
To build a state-of-the-art, stand-alone children’s hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Starting with the Castle of Care in Sioux Falls, Sanford Children’s has grown to include hundreds of employees and pediatric specialties, clinics in six different states, and the only Level I pediatric trauma units in North and South Dakota and the region’s only Level IV NICU.
To allow growth in all areas of Sanford Research such as investing in unique initiatives in health research and creating the Sanford Children’s Health Research Center.
Operating with world-class facilities and staff, Sanford Research currently has a team of nearly 500 scientists and researchers, three Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence, 1,100 active clinical trials and studies, and over 60,000 Biobank enrollments.
To create a research effort to cure type 1 diabetes through research and care.
The Sanford PLEDGE study launched with a goal to identify and predict which children may be at risk of developing type 1 diabetes and Celiac disease. Since 2025, over 15,000 children enrolled in PLEDGE across Sanford Health’s footprint. Sanford is the second health system in the country to receive Teplizumab to delay onset type 1 diabetes among those identified with the antibodies.
To open a chain of clinics around the world.
Sanford World Clinic develops innovative approaches to improve health and well-being in countries across the globe through customized care models and research programs. Partnerships in five countries have allowed Sanford World Clinic to serve more than 2 million people each year.
Recently, the Edith Sanford Breast Center partnered with the Sanford World Clinic team to expand mammogram access to women. Patients in Ghana will now be able to have mammogram screenings, diagnostic testing and imaging thanks to the donation and transfer of a 2D mammogram machine from Sanford Health in Worthington, Minnesota. In Costa Rica, our World Clinic partner, Hospital Metropolitano, partnered with Edith Sanford Breast Center to bring even more mammograms to women in remote locations through the philanthropic support of a mobile mammogram truck.
To launch the Edith Sanford Breast Center dedicated to unlocking each woman’s genetic code to advance prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
In 2025, the Edith Sanford Breast Centers across our footprint completed over 99,000 screening and diagnostic mammograms, increasing our enterprise mammogram screening rates. With the addition of a brand-new mobile mammography truck in Bemidji, Minnesota, and a replacement truck in Fargo, North Dakota, women across the footprint now have expanded access to 3D mammography to ensure access to the earliest possible detection and intervention.
To launch Sanford Imagenetics, the first program of its kind in the nation to fully integrate genetics and genomic medicine into primary care for adults.
Results from Sanford Chip screenings have been provided to nearly 18,000 patients. The launch of ImagineYou, a genetic screening study supporting new research discoveries, is providing patients with a better understanding of how their DNA impacts their health. Since launching in April 2024, over 61,000 participants have enrolled and over 46,000 results have been returned to patients.
To help sustain the exceptional, comprehensive patient care and services that make Ava’s House the special place it is through a $1 million endowment.
A multigenerational hospice facility honoring its namesake, Ava, who passed away at 4 years old after a courageous battle against cancer, Ava’s House is one of only a handful of facilities in the nation to offer inpatient pediatric hospice care for children and young adults.
To offer free pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing to VA patients.
PHASeR (Pharmacogenomic testing for Veterans), a program created by Sanford Health in partnership with the US Department of Veteran Affairs, is active in over 130 VA medical centers around the country and has reached over 100,000 veterans.
To expand opportunities in graduate medical education and community health and wellness, positioning Sanford Health as a global leader in rural care delivery.
Through partnerships with universities across our region, Sanford Health will fully fund 10 additional Graduate Medical Education programs to train and retain the most talented physicians in our communities for a total of 40 residencies and fellowship programs. There are over 400 residents and fellows each year, along with nearly 600 medical students.
To create one of the world’s leading virtual care centers, with a focus on providing more accessible care in rural and underserved areas of the Midwest.
Launched in 2021, the Sanford Virtual Care Initiative offers telemedicine services for nearly 80 specialties with more than 1 million total visits since inception. Virtual visits have saved Sanford patients over 57 million miles of driving. In 2024, the Sanford Virtual Care Center opened and is home to the Innovation Center, Education Institute and virtual clinical operations and support teams for virtual care delivery.
To reimagine healthcare in the Black Hills with a state-of-the-art medical campus providing needed services and quality care close to home.
Announced in 2025, the Sanford Black Hills Medical Center Campus will bring a 480-thousand-square-foot medical campus to Rapid City designed to meet the current and growing needs of a thriving region. In addition, Sanford Health is investing in the region’s medical education to develop, train and retain the best workforce in healthcare.
