Bismarck Nursing Excellence

We are deeply committed to investing in educational and leadership programs that empower registered nurses (RNs) to step into future leadership roles. Our belief in promoting from within drives us to nurture and support the growth of our nursing team. 

Professional Development
Professional development opportunities include:

• Certification support
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free continuing education sessions (Elsevier, Sanford sponsored conferences)
• Support of research and evidence-based practice (EBP)
• Annual education

Nurse Internship Program
The Sanford Student Nurse Internship Program is a hands-on, 10-week, paid internship that will expand clinical skills and knowledge under the guidance of an experienced nurse preceptor.

Nurse Residency Program
The Sanford Health Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. All new RN graduates that are hired into a facility with the program are enrolled.
The program provides nurse residents with strategies for personal growth and well-being while also developing clinical judgment and leadership skills. The 12-month program is offered in association with the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.

Continuing Education
We offer a variety of in-person and virtual continuing education credits and educational offerings that cover many specialties. Many are free or offered at reduced costs for employees. 

Sanford Health partners with Elsevier, a global leader in advanced informed and decision support for science and health care, to offer ClinicalKey for Nursing. 

• ClinicalKey is a clinical search engine that supports clinical decisions by making it easy to find fast, concise answers and deep access to evidence whenever, wherever nurses need it. 
• Elsevier Clinical Skills and Elsevier ClinicalKey are resources that are available 24/7. 
• 2,000 evidence-based skills and over 1,800 continuing education credits are readily available at no cost to employees. 

Additionally, CNA, LPN and RN sponsorships, annual scholarships and an employee assistance program are available to assist current and future nursing staff with furthering their education. Learn more about scholarships.

Specialty Certifications
Sanford Health is committed to assisting our nurses with achieving their national certification by providing preparation courses, as well as assisting with costs associated with initial certification and recertification. Additional information on certification can be found on the following websites:

• Certification through ANCC 
• Certifications/board specialty
• List of nursing certifications

Leadership Opportunities
Sanford Health Bismarck is continually looking for nurses to work in key leadership roles and leadership training, mentoring, coaching and precepting opportunities are provided at all levels. All nurses from informal leaders to executives can take part in The Sanford Leader leadership development programs. The Sanford Leader program is designed to empower current and emerging nurse leaders with skills and insights to lead with confidence. 

Rooted in three core principles - leading self, leading others, and leading mission - the Sanford Leader is a journey of personal and professional growth. Offerings include:

• Leadership Development Pathways (Informal, Formal, Senior, and Executive).
• Leadership Self-Assessment (Built based upon the leadership pathways).
• Leadership Development Guides (Using content from Franklin Covey as the foundation).
• Leader individual coaching with certified coaches with the ability to create a custom leader development plan.
• Crucial Conversations Training.
• Data-driven leadership development webinars based upon organizational employee engagement surveys.
• Myers-Briggs and Gallup Strengths Assessments.
• New Leader Orientation (including Getting Started, Leading Others, Leading Mission, and Fundamental Leadership Courses).
• Leader Academy Cohorts (nomination based).
• Monthly leadership newsletters based upon The Sanford Leader skillsets: communication, trust, excellence, people, accountability, engagement, business, customers, and values.

Sanford World Clinic Global Nurse Mentor Program
The Sanford World Clinic Global Nurse Mentor Program is an opportunity to impact care across the globe by participating in a shared learning experience with one of Sanford’s international partners. 

Grow, Succeed, Advance
There are many other areas of growth that Sanford Medical Center Bismarck nurses can use to prepare for career advancement while remaining in their current role. Through shared governance, there are a variety of councils, teams, and committees where nurses can get involved and make a meaningful impact. These groups bring together staff who are passionate about addressing the challenges and opportunities within health care. By participating in local councils, our nurses have the chance to collaborate with colleagues from diverse disciplines across the region, all united by a shared commitment to improving care and making a difference in the lives of those we serve. 

Opportunities include: 

• Ambulatory Council
• Advanced Practice Provider (APPs) Leadership Council
• Education Council
• Nurse Provider Communication Council
• Magnet Council
• Night Shift Council
• Nursing Quality Council
• Nursing Senate
• Policy and Procedure Council
• Professional Management Council
• Interdisciplinary Council
• Research/Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Council

Many of these are made up of staff who share a common interest in solving the concerns or challenges associated with a variety of health care related topics. Local councils provide nurses with an opportunity to work with a variety of staff from different disciplines in the region, all of whom share a passion for improving care.

With a growing variety of needs within the organization, Sanford Health offers more flexible scheduling options than ever. We collaborate with our nurses to develop family-friendly schedules that allow them to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

• There are a variety of shared governance committees and councils in place at Sanford Health Bismarck that are used as an avenue to promote flexible schedules and options for work life balance.
• A few examples of scheduling flexibility include: 4-hour, 6-hour, 8-hour, or 12-hour shifts, self-scheduling, weekend and straight night packages.

We take immense pride in acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our nurses. To show our appreciation, we offer not only competitive wages but also comprehensive benefits. By recognizing and rewarding their hard work, we strive to create a culture where our nurses feel valued and empowered to continue making a significant impact on the lives of our patients.

Wages

• The average hourly base rate for RNs at Sanford Health Bismarck is competitive with the average hourly base rate of RNs across the North Central Region of the United States. 
• Additional premiums and incentives that stack on top of this base rate are offered for nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts.
• Sanford Health Bismarck continues to make meaningful investments in base hourly rates to not only ensure starting pay is competitive but also to improve base hourly rates overall.
• Sanford military employees are eligible for compensation during deployments, presidential recall to active duty, national or state emergencies, annual encampment or training in the National Guard or military reserves not to exceed a period of 12 months.

Benefits

• Sanford Health Bismarck nurses are eligible for full-time benefits if they work 60+hours per two-week pay period. Nurses working between 40-59 hours per pay period are eligible for part-time benefits.
• Sanford Health Bismarck nurses are eligible for health, dental and vision insurance, as well as long-term disability and many other optional benefits.
• The Total Rewards Dashboard is a resource that provides real-time access to your Total Rewards needs, all in one easy-to-use location. The dashboard provides employees with a personalized report of their Total Rewards package, as well as access to their benefit booklets and plan documents. 
• Nurses can CLICK HERE to access the Total Rewards Dashboard. Click the benefits tab for personalized benefit booklet and plan documents.

Sanford Health embraces innovative solutions to address workforce challenges and alleviate administrative burdens, so our nurses can focus on caring for our patients and residents. Sanford continues to aggressively recruit and hire nurses to not only fill open positions but also address the growing needs of the Bismarck area and projected health care needs of an aging population.

• North Dakota has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country - coupled with increases in patient volume and length of stay - Sanford Bismarck Medical Center continually has a need to hire more nurses.
• Nursing staffing shortages are widespread across the nation and innovative staffing solutions are needed to address the challenges of hiring enough nurses. Sanford continues to aggressively recruit and hire nurses to not only fill open positions but also address the growing needs of the Bismarck area and projected health care needs of an aging population.
• Sanford Health Bismarck is committed to supporting safe patient ratios which align with national staffing standards. Staffing is supported by individually established staffing matrices and staffing policies.
• Sanford Health Bismarck continues a multi-faceted approach to improve the talent pipeline. This includes partnerships with higher education organizations such as:
  
  • The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Nursing: Primary teaching institution, advanced practice, nursing.
  • North Dakota State University: Nursing affiliation, pharmacy.
  • University of Mary: Advanced practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing.
  • Bismarck State College: Lab technicians, nursing. 
• Aspire by Sanford reaches approximately 4,000 student encounters annually in the Bismarck region through K-12 career exploration programs and camps. Other program offerings include MedX. This program brings students within the walls of Sanford to experience different departments and careers in a firsthand experience. Students learn directly from staff employed in various health care careers.
• The program aims to help students interested in health care become familiar with many departments within Sanford, explore future post-secondary paths of study, and learn about health care careers they may not be aware of.
• Sanford Health is exploring alternative pipelines by recruiting nurses from around the world to meet our staffing needs, now and into the future. These internationally educated nurses (IENs) will be employed with Sanford and are not contract staff. They receive the same pay and benefits as all other Sanford Health nurses.

• Additional recruiting efforts include but are not limited to:
  
  • Expanded social media engagement including LinkedIn and Facebook.
  • Resume mining on Indeed and SeekOut to generate additional leads.
  • Increased presence on free job boards including Handshake, College Central and Featured Jobs.
  • Hosting events to attract local candidates and providing the opportunity to connect with local leaders face to face. 
• Sanford is exploring alternative pipelines by recruiting nurses from around the world to meet our staffing needs now and into the future. These internationally educated nurses are employed by Sanford and are not contract staff. They receive the same pay and benefits as all other Sanford nurses. 
• When necessary to support patient volumes, SMC will increase nurse travelers. To eliminate agency expense and to provide opportunities for existing employees, Sanford recently launched a new internal travel agency, Solutions by Sanford. 
• Additional recruiting efforts include but are not limited to:
  
  • Expanded social media engagement, including LinkedIn and Facebook
  • Resume mining on Indeed and SeekOut to generate additional leads.
  • Increased presence on free job boards, including Handshake, College Central and Featured Jobs
  • Hosting events to attract local candidates and providing the opportunity to connect with local leaders face to face.
• Sanford leaders and frontline nurses work side-by-side to develop staffing plans for every single unit, with patient safety and quality always at the forefront. If there is ever a concern about staffing, our nursing leaders respond to understand and address the issue.

We are on a journey that celebrates and amplifies the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees, as well as the patients, residents, and communities we serve. By embracing these differences, we are not only strengthening our organization but also working together to make this a truly great place to work.

Employee Experience Survey
Part of building a great culture is listening to our people and responding to their feedback. Employees participate in an Employee Experience Survey twice per year. By sharing their voice, they are helping to drive positive changes within our organization. 

We’re consistently scoring far above the health care industry benchmark based on health care organizations on Peakon. Two categories where we score above benchmark include meaningful work and inclusiveness. We appreciate that employees feel they are accepted at Sanford Health and bring value to those we serve and the organization.

“We have a wonderful team, and I am always assured my coworkers have my back and will help if needed. I do the same for them.”

“My coworkers are the best! Our department is amazing because of all the nurses and techs that work so hard every day. They are always willing to help and jump in when needed.”

“Sanford has supported me in many ways related to leadership classes, support from HR, supporting my higher education journey through graduate school and through a new internal fellowship opportunity that I am very much enjoying.”

“I absolutely love my job. I enjoy the tasks I do and my coworkers, from the clinic to operating room staff, charge nurses and management. A big satisfier is management. I could not do my job without the support of our management team. They make work fun and appreciate my input.”

Well-being
We know the well-being of our team matters. That’s why Sanford Health offers our employees and their families access to a variety of resources for extra support whenever it is needed. Taking time to focus on the six dimensions of well-being (physical, emotional, spiritual, professional, financial, social) allows employees and their families to thrive in all areas of life.

In partnership with VITAL WorkLife, Sanford's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides access to free counseling, coaching and support services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Counselors are available for face-to-face or virtual counseling allowing for up to six sessions per incident. 

Nurses and family members can access these services at their convenience, including in-the-moment support, phone consultations, face-to-face counseling, nurse peer coaching, educator peer coaching, legal and financial services, and identity theft prevention and support. 

Zen Den
Sanford Health Bismarck has the "Zen Den," a wellness room dedicated to promoting well-being and providing respite for frontline direct patient care workers.

The Zen Den is a dedicated space at our medical center for staff on the frontlines of patient care. The 400-square-foot space is designed to provide a serene environment separate from a busy breakroom and allows frontline direct patient care staff to find respite from high stress situations they may encounter throughout a shift. The space features massage chairs, art therapy, wellness resources, aromatherapy, meditation, yoga and reading options.

The Zen Den is just one of the many steps we are taking to ensure staff have the support and resources needed for healthy work-life integration.

Bismarck Region Wellness Committee
The wellness committee was formed in 2024 through the request of our employees. The purpose of the Sanford Bismarck Region Employee Wellness Committee is to foster a holistic approach to health and well-being, empowering employees to lead healthier, joy-filled lives. 

By providing resources, support, and opportunities for physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness, the committee’s purpose aims to create a positive community that enhances personal and professional wellbeing.

The vision is to cultivate a thriving community where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to prioritize their health and well-being; striving to create a culture of wellness that inspires individuals to lead balanced lives, fosters resilience, and enhances overall life satisfaction and joy. 

The committee coordinates both individual and team wellness-related activities that cover various aspects of well-being, ranging from physical fitness and nutrition to stress management, financial literacy and social connection. 

Workplace Violence Prevention
Sanford Health believes our hospitals and clinics should be places of safety and healing for caregivers, patients, and visitors. Sanford Bismarck Medical Center continually collaborates with nurses on preventative measures to reduce the potential for workplace violence. Focus areas include environmental controls, patient and visitor screening processes, and staff training.

Recently, the Workplace Violence Committee has been developed with frontline representatives focusing on efforts to improve patient and employee safety. In addition, the Behavioral Emergency Response Team has been implemented in the Medical Center.

Daycare Services
We recognize access to childcare continues to be a challenge for our employees and communities across our footprint. Earlier this year, Sanford Health convened a workgroup to find solutions addressing access to childcare at a local level. We have built a partnership with 3rd party childcare app Bambino to help employees find backup childcare solutions in our major markets, provided funding to translate recruitment fliers for in-home providers through Sanford CHILD Services, and bolstered our enterprise policy on expressing milk at work in addition to development of a knowledge article and leader guide to support team members as they return to work from a caregiver leave.

In Bismarck, we are currently partnering with YCD North to have specific spots available for Sanford employees. While we are actively exploring and engaging in these and other tactics to increase access to childcare, due to regulatory and economic barriers, we are not currently exploring starting our own childcare facility on site in Bismarck.

To access Bambino services, download the app. There you can find, book, and pay babysitters directly through the app. Sitters listed in the app are run through ID verification and the national sex offender database. In addition, they must have a recommendation from a member of the community before receiving a request for a booking.

Resources to Support Safe, Quality and Highly Reliable Patient Care
In response to our nurse’s feedback, Sanford Health Bismarck has implemented several changes and resources to support safe patient care including:

• Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT)
• Critical Care Resource Nurse
• 5B Medical Specialty Unit
• Evolv security system in ED
• Patient placement 24/7
• Security officers 24/7 in the ER
• Avasure Telesitter remote monitoring for falls, safety
• Focused Efforts to improve Code Blue resuscitation, team debriefing and early identification of patient deterioration
• Throughput initiatives including the Transition Unit
• Zebra phones, Vocera trials
• Electronic communication boards, with plans for expansion

Military and Veterans Services
Sanford Health is actively recruiting past and current military members to its nursing ranks and other positions. From differential pay to educational scholarships and more, the organization strives to be an employer and provider of choice for veterans. View a full list of benefits and featured career opportunities for veterans and military service members.

Professional development grants are now available for veteran employees. Grants are up to $3,000 annually, and recipients can receive up to $12,000 in their lifetime. Grant funds may be used for professional development opportunities such as academic classes, certifications, professional courses, or training. 

The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship honors those who have furthered their own progress and enriched the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement. Four $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually to veterans, Guard/Reserve members or active-duty military service members who have demonstrated leadership and commitment in their community.

Sanford Health continues to be recognized nationally for its commitment to veterans and their families. For the fifth year in a row, Sanford Health landed in the top 10 on the 2024 Military Friendly® Employer list and 2024 Military Spouse Friendly Employer list.

Sanford Health ranked No. 3 as a Top Military Friendly® employer, up from No. 5 in 2023 and No. 4 as a top Military Friendly® Spouse Employer, up from No. 6 in 2023. More than 1,500 organizations competed for the Military Friendly® designation.

The Veterans page on Sanford Health News features stories of veterans and their experiences as an employee of the system.

Sanford Health recognized by Becker’s as a top place to work
For the third year in a row, Sanford Health has been named to the list of  Becker’s Healthcare 150 top places to work. 

According to Becker’s, the health systems and companies included on this list are committed to supporting their teams through comprehensive benefits, opportunities for both personal and professional growth, inclusive and empowering work environments, and resources that promote a healthy work-life balance. Many also extend their positive impact beyond the workplace, engaging in community service and championing social responsibility.

Forbes names Sanford one of best employers in SD, ND, WI
Sanford Health has been named one of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025 by Forbes in South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

To create the seventh annual list, Forbes partnered with an independent research firm to survey more than 160,000 employees who work for a company of at least 500 people within the United States. Sanford Health has 53,000 team members.

Survey respondents were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale of zero to 10 and were asked to evaluate their workplace based on criteria including wage parity, work culture, paths to professional advancement and whether the employer takes action on serious issues. Participants were also asked to evaluate their previous employers (within the last two years) and organizations they knew within their industry or through friends or family who work there.

Sanford Health honored by AMA for well-being of physicians
Sanford Health has earned gold recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine® organization.

This is the third time Sanford has received the Joy in Medicine recognition from the AMA and the second time at the prestigious gold level.  The Joy in Medicine program is the country’s leading physician’s association honor of health systems, hospitals, and medical groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance the professional fulfillment of doctors that comes from patient care. 

Sanford Health is dedicated to the work of health and healing, and we continually work to transform the health care experience and provide access to world-class health care close to home.

• Sanford Bismarck Medical Center is licensed for 278 beds and is a tertiary medical center providing comprehensive, multi-specialty care for patients in central and western North Dakota. Sanford Bismarck employs more than 3,600 people including 260 physicians and advanced practice providers.
• Sanford Health Bismarck consists of a hospital, a level II adult trauma center, seven primary care clinics, four multi-specialty clinics, three walk-in clinics, three occupational health clinics, a home health agency, three kidney dialysis centers, three long-term care facilities, one independent living center, and a college of nursing.
• It serves as a regional hub for AirMed air ambulance services and supports 12 regional Critical Access Hospitals by providing specialized care including cancer care, heart, women’s and children’s specialties, OccMed services, orthopedics and sports medicine.
• Sanford Health has seen tremendous growth in the Bismarck region and will soon open 36 new beds in the Sanford Bismarck Medical Center to serve more patients in central and western ND. This strategic expansion is part of Sanford’s continued commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care to the growing population in the region.
• Key accreditations include The Joint Commission, verification by the American College of Surgeons as a level II adult trauma center, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for long-term care, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education CCNE), Magnet designation for nursing, and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
• Sanford Health has implemented several programs and services to improve access to affordable care. To address healthcare coverage for uninsured and underinsured, Sanford integrated full-time onsite financial advocates to help patients and their families enroll in health coverage programs. Sanford’s Financial Assistance Program helps thousands of patients each year reduce or eliminate medical bills they can afford to pay. Sanford also assists at risk populations with enrollment in public healthcare coverage programs.
• To help bridge the gap between health care services provided in our facilities to at-risk patients outside our walls, Sanford created a community health worker (CHW) program. The CHW collaborates with patients in the community to assist with social services, community resources, transportation needs, food stability and other key social determinants of health.
• To help the community’s most vulnerable patients better manage chronic diseases including diabetes, asthma and depression, Sanford established Better Choices, Better Health, a self-management program designed to help adults better understand their health and better manage their symptoms. Additional free healthcare classes include family parenting and sibling classes, birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, and Caring for Your Newborn class.
• Subsidized Health Services—clinical programs that are provided despite a financial loss - are provided to meet identified community needs and if it were not offered by Sanford, it would either be unavailable or fall to the responsibility of government or another not-for-profit organization. Examples of subsidized health services include behavioral health services, renal dialysis services, trauma care and women’s and children’s services.
• Sanford Bismarck Medical Center serves as the region’s safety net hospital, providing free and discounted care to thousands of patients unable to afford healthcare costs. Sanford also collaborates proactively with patients and community members to help individuals apply for healthcare coverage programs including Medicaid, Medicare and private coverage.
• Sanford Health has many innovative nursing initiatives that are empowering nurses to do their most fulfilling work including using predictive analytics to manage clinical staffing, leveraging technology to support patients at the bedside and automating workflows to build a more resilient workforce and improve patient care.
• We recently ushered in a new chapter for our virtual care initiative with the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Virtual Care Center in Sioux Falls. This center is a symbol of our dedication to expanding access, improving patient experience, training the next generation of clinicians, and advancing innovation for the benefit of our patients, residents, and health plan members. 

Sanford Health Bismarck has received many quality awards and recognition. This recognition demonstrates the medical center’s value to rural communities in the region as well as Sanford Health’s overall commitment to achieving higher quality care and better patient outcomes.

Sanford Health Bismarck Magnet Designation
The Bismarck region of Sanford Health received prestigious Magnet® designation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the fourth time in 2023. The recognition is the highest honor a health system can receive for professional nursing practice. By earning the designation, Sanford Health Bismarck is in the top one percent of health systems in the country. The health system first earned designation in 2008, the second in 2013, and the third in 2018.

The Magnet difference:

• Sanford Bismarck’s ambulatory nurse-sensitive clinical indicator for hypertension control data outperformed the eCQM’s benchmark statistic for the majority of eight quarters in 100% of departments.
• Sanford Bismarck outperformed the benchmark for all eight quarters with 100 percent of STEMIpatients making device contact in < 90 minutes.
• Magnet facilities outperform other hospitals in both recruiting and retaining nursing
  professionals.
• Nurses employed by Magnet designated facilities report higher job satisfaction and less overall burnout.

Shared Governance is at the center. Magnet designated facilities elevate nursing voices ensuring nurses govern nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. 

The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. For patients, it means the very best care delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. Nationally, there are 475 Magnet hospitals, which accounts for only about 10 percent of all hospitals in the country.

Sanford Medical Centers ranked top hospitals in Dakotas
For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for 2025-2026 ranked Sanford Medical Center Fargo the No. 1 hospital in North Dakota and Sanford USD Medical Center the No. 1 hospital in South Dakota. In addition, Sanford Bismarck Medical Center is ranked No. 2 on the top hospitals list in North Dakota and is nationally ranked in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery.

Sanford Bismarck named America’s Best-In-State Hospital 2025
Newsweek has named the Sanford USD Medical Center, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sanford Medical Center – Bismarck, located in North Dakota, to its list of World’s Best Hospitals for 2025.

A first-time recipient of this award, Sanford Bismarck is the only hospital in North Dakota included on the list.

According to Newsweek, the ranking is based on an extensive evaluation process, including an online survey of thousands of medical experts (doctors, hospital managers and health care professionals), patient experience data, hospital quality metrics and a PROMs Implementation Survey.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are defined as standardized, validated questionnaires completed by patients to measure their perception of their functional well-being and quality of life.

The Sanford Bismarck region provides health care to central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It includes 26 clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Dickinson, Williston and Watford City, as well as a Level II trauma center located in Bismarck.

“I am incredibly proud of our dedicated team of caregivers for this recognition,” said Todd Schaffer, M.D., president and CEO of Sanford Bismarck. “It is a testament of the exceptional care they provide each day. We remain committed to continuously providing innovative care, focused on improving health outcomes for the communities we serve.”

Sanford Bismarck Medical Center among nation’s top performing hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients 
Sanford Medical Center Bismarck has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2025. Sanford Bismarck is one of only 323 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes Sanford Health’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Sanford Bismarck has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

Sanford Health recognized by American College of Cardiology
Five Sanford Health hospital locations, including Sanford Health Bismarck, have been recognized for their dedication to heart patients by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in the ACC advertising insert in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” Guidebook. 

Through participation in the ACC’s proven quality programs, they inform their robust quality improvement processes using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart patients.

To see the entire list of hospitals recognized by the ACC in the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” Guidebook, click here.

Sanford Health Bismarck Accreditations, Certifications, and Memberships
Sanford Bismarck Medical Center is nationally ranked for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, rated “high performing” in geriatrics and orthopedics in addition to 10 procedures and conditions, including colon cancer surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart attack, heart arrhythmia, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, pacemaker implantation, back surgery, stroke and pneumonia.

• College of American Pathologists (CAP) AP, American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), Clinical Laboratory Improvements amendments (CLIA).
• Joint Commission.
• Joint Commission disease specific certifications - stroke and joints.
• American College of Surgeons (ACS) designated Level II Trauma Center.
• The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) – Bismarck AirMed.
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – Magnet certification.
• The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) - breast accreditation.
• Transplant program United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) certified.
• Bariatric Center of Excellence.
• Blue Distinction for hip, knee & spine by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to making our communities stronger and healthier. Our care goes far beyond the walls of our medical centers and clinics—we are active, engaged and invested in the well-being of the communities we serve. By channeling substantial resources into creating more opportunities and improving health outcomes, we are working together to build a brighter, healthier future for all.

• For more than 100 years, legacy Medcenter One served central and western North Dakota with great dedication and care. Then in 2012, Medcenter One and Sanford Health saw an opportunity to better serve the region together. They officially merged in July of that year with Sanford Health making a lofty promise: to invest $200 million in the region over the 10 years that followed. In fact, Sanford invested 50% more than initially promised, putting $300 million into the communities served, in part to make care more accessible than ever.
• Sanford supported McKenzie County Healthcare System’s construction of a new medical center in Watford City, and Sanford also helped fund Bismarck State College’s health science programs.
• Other partnerships include working with the YMCA on the construction and operation of the Family Wellness Center located in Mandan, providing sports medicine services to 19 area high schools and colleges, and helping to fund sports complexes in Bismarck and Dickinson. The center provides childcare services to assist young families and provides free memberships to individuals and families who cannot afford the cost.
• Sanford collaborates with community partners to offer Better Choices, Better Health. The evidence-based program is free to patients with chronic disease and caregivers. It is designed to be an intervention that offers support to individuals aged 18 or older and proven to help establish long-term health benefits and health cost savings for patients and their families.
• To address community hunger, Sanford supports Great Plains Food Bank and screens pregnant and new moms to identify household food shortages and provide needed resources.
• To address drug and alcohol abuse, Sanford partners with community organizations including Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, Heartview and Face It Together to support community resources and to connect community members to support services and treatment options.
• As the Sanford Cares program has continued to work together with the public-school foundations in both Bismarck and Mandan, participation in the event has grown from approximately 400 students in 2021, to 600 last year, and 700 this holiday season.
• All told, Sanford’s ongoing community investments in the Bismarck region total $1 million annually.
• To support and encourage employees to participate in volunteer activities, Sanford provides employees with eight hours per calendar year of paid volunteer time off.
• We are committed to extending care beyond our bricks and mortar. It is through this work that we identify unmet health needs in the community and strategically plan how to best address them. 

For more information, refer to the Sanford Health Community Health Needs Assessment Report and the Sanford Health Community Commitment Report 2025.