July 3, 2012
 
Medcenter One, Sanford Health complete merger
 
BISMARCK, N.D.—Medcenter One and Sanford Health have completed the final steps necessary to move ahead with their merger. After months of due diligence, the health systems’ respective boards have voted unanimously in favor of the merger, and a North Dakota Attorney General opinion make the merger effective immediately. The organizations’ leaders will not be available for comment today but they look forward to formally announcing the merger on July 12 in Bismarck.

Medcenter One now will operate under the Sanford Health name, with the hospital transitioning to Sanford Medical Center Bismarck. All Medcenter One locations will continue to provide care, and all staff will remain. Medcenter One will transition to the Sanford Health name over the next year. Dr. Craig Lambrecht, president and CEO of Medcenter One, and other leaders will remain.

While this is the final step in the merger process, it is just the first step in the full integration of the two health systems. That process will continue over the next year.

About Medcenter One
Medcenter One is a non-profit, integrated health system headquartered in Bismarck-Mandan with clinic locations in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Mandan and Minot. Medcenter One consists of a 228-bed hospital, four multi-specialty clinics, a college of nursing, seven primary care clinics, four walk-in clinics, three kidney dialysis centers, three occupational health clinics, four long-term care facilities and a comprehensive group of health services in western and central North Dakota. Key accreditations and quality awards include: Joint Commission, American College of Surgeons Level II Emergency and Trauma Center, and Magnet Recognition Program®.

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health is an integrated health system headquartered in Fargo, ND and Sioux Falls, SD and consists of two long-standing organizations that merged in 2009. Sanford is now the largest, rural, not-for-profit health care system in the nation with locations in 112 communities in seven states. In addition, Sanford Health is in the process of developing international clinics in Ireland, Ghana, Israel and Mexico.

Sanford Health includes 34 hospitals, 116 clinic locations and more than 1,000 physicians in 70 specialty areas of medicine. With more than 20,000 employees, Sanford Health is the largest employer in North and South Dakota. The system is experiencing dynamic growth and development in conjunction with Denny Sanford's $400 million gift in 2007, the largest gift ever to a health care organization in America. This gift is making possible the implementation of the several initiatives including global children's clinics, multiple research centers, eradicating breast cancer and finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. For more information, visit sanfordhealth.org.