Stories
A High-tech Solution
Seventeen-year-old Austin Dossett needed spinal surgery to prevent a future that involved life in a wheelchair. A new high-tech imaging system allowed this high school athlete to treat his scoliosis and get back to the sports he loves.
Read Story
A Home for Heart Care
While Jan Larsen waits for a transplant, a mechanical device is keeping his heart ticking. This Sioux Falls man says being able to stay at a hospital close to home makes it easier to pass the time until he has a new heart.
Read Story
A Living, Loving Heart
Every link in the chain led to Julie Fennell’s survival after sudden cardiac arrest. Today she puts her heart and soul into giving back. Meet our honorary chair for the 2012 Heart Walk!
Read Story
A New Kidney, New Life
When faced with sudden renal failure, a transplant was the best option for 14-year-old Alison Simon. One of Sanford Health’s first pediatric kidney transplant patients, the teen is loving life with her new kidney.
Read Story
A Plan to End Hip Pain
Randy Lani was slowing down due to the pain in his hip, but with kidney disease and other health issues, he knew these factors might complicate a hip replacement. Learn how the Center for Joint Success prepared him for a successful surgery and recovery.
Read Story
A Run to Remember
A heart attack at 45? It would’ve devastated some, but not Clint Glass. With help from Sanford Cardiac Rehab and inspiration from his 15-year-old daughter, today he trains for the Fargo Marathon.
Read Story
Brothers and Champions
Zachary Gunderson started life with his abdomen full of tumors. His big brother Chase would be hospitalized with a life-threatening bacterial infection. Today these brave, healthy brothers take the stage as 2012 South Dakota Children’s Miracle Network champions.
Read Story
Called to Make Life Better
Patients on kidney dialysis face tough challenges. What can help? Meet dialysis nurse Zita Jacobson, RN, CDN. See how expertise, professionalism -- and friendship -- brighten the path!
Read Story
Close to Home Care
Sanborn farmer Gary Krikke didn’t have to go far when he had a heart attack. Sanford’s integrated system of care helped save his life and get him the follow-up cardiac treatment he needed.
Read Story
Hearts Together
Norma Anderson was there when her husband, Elmo, experienced heart trouble. And she was there for his treatment, too. See what happens when they connect with Sanford Cardiac Rehab -- together!
Read Story
Inspired to Navigate
Donna Dwire first met radiologist Thomas Cink when she was being diagnosed with breast cancer. Learn how the doctor and his colleagues at the Breast Health Institute both healed her and inspired her to become a patient navigator.
Read Story
More Protection for Baby
Expectant moms have a new way to protect their baby from whooping cough. Find out why one new mom opted to receive the pertussis vaccine during her pregnancy.
Read Story
Saying Thanks
An Indiana family returned to Sanford Medical Center to give their children a chance to thank the medical workers that saved their lives. Sanford doctors and nurses helped four-year-old Lydia and six-year-old Caleb Dailey heal after an auto accident far from home.
Read Story
The Dream Team
For the Stafslien family, fighting diabetes means doing everything possible so 5-year-old Harper can live a full, healthy life. But it also means finding a cure. “Team Harper” rides again in the 2012 Tour de Cure!
Read Story
Winning the Losing Game
When Charlotte Viou imagined her future, she didn't like what she saw. "I didn't want to die at 50," she says. See how long-term weight loss changes her view and her life.
Watch video
A New Hip, A New Life
Digging in the garden is fun again for Roger Schumacher. After a year of pain that turned his hobby into a chore, total hip replacement has let this Sioux Falls man put his green thumb back to use.
Read Story
Big Dreams, Little Steps
Wagon rides, gymnastics, pancakes… Tylan Myklebust loves them all. And he loves his Sanford pediatric therapists, too. See how intensive outpatient therapy helps him reach higher -- and play harder.
Read Story
Day of Champions
So small and so sick, Jack and Joe Gould spent their first months in the Sanford Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Today these healthy, fun kindergartners take the stage as 2012 North Dakota Children’s Miracle Network champions!
Read Story
Family Ties
When three daughters learn their dad has a rare genetic condition linked with early-onset cancer, what steps do they take? Discover how Roger Maris Cancer Center helps the entire family!
Read Story
Her Personal Best
Anne Conway had no idea a total hip replacement could lead to an inspired life of fitness and health. See how everything came together at Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine!
Read Story
Inspiration for Tiny Miracles
Nurse practitioner Lori Wegehaupt has been honored for her care for the smallest patients. Meet one of her first success stories from the NICU, a teen whose tiny beginning reminds her to never give up hope.
Read Story
Playing Again
A sudden bulge in Alex Espenson’s neck left his parents perplexed and worried. How would a pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat specialist fix this nine-year-old patient’s problem?
Read Story
Sharing Henry’s Story
Child abuse may have changed baby Henry Johnson’s life, but his family hopes to use their tragedy to help prevent shaken baby syndrome. Henry’s Run will raise awareness about child abuse and dollars for Child Advocacy Centers of South Dakota (CACSD) to fund prevention programs to educate families with newborns.
Read Story
Woman on the Run
How do you train for a marathon with a busy job and family life? It’s no problem for Karoliina Slack. This busy mom and Sanford Clinic director knows that exercise is an essential part of women’s health.
Read Story
A Mission for Research
9 year-old Lexi Valentine knows what life is like with a rare genetic disease. Today she’s part of a registry for research. Someday she hopes to be one of the scientists finding a cure.
Read Story
A Unique Calling
When Cathy Keogh, RN, began her nursing career more than 30 years ago, she never imagined her workplace would one day be patients' homes. See how passion, commitment and professionalism opened new doors!
Read Story
Hunting for Answers
A lifetime of severe heartburn drove Brent Walsh to seek answers. How far would he have to go? Could anyone truly target the problem -- and cure it? A bull’s-eye was closer than he knew.
Read Story
Inside Out Healing
Surgery saved Dorothy Christianson from a ravaging infection, but left a large, daunting wound. How will she recover? Will life ever get back to normal? Experience the healing of Sanford Wound Care Center!
Read Story
Loving Her Curves
Morgan Boettcher was watching her life and her body shrink as she struggled with an eating disorder that threatened her future. Learn how this 20-year-old woman has learned to love and accept her body.
Read Story
More Than Just a Hurting Head
When Bobbi Andera got a strange headache she knew something wasn’t right. Her visit to Sanford’s Emergency Department saved her life and allowed doctors to treat her bleeding brain.
Read Story
Rebound!
Basketball shooting guard Karli Kerzman knew the seriousness of a torn knee ligament -- three of her teammates had them. But what happens when it’s her? See why she put Sanford on her team.
Read Story
Your Heart, Our Hands
Behind the healing at Sanford Heart are more than 750 skilled professionals dedicated to save lives every day. Hear the voices of the people who carry out our mission to care for your heart.
Read Story
A Life for Lucas
From the day he was born, Lucas Olivieri struggled with the basics: breathing, eating, growing. Would a normal life ever be possible? See what happens when a loving family and Sanford Home Care enter his world!
Read Story
Sanford Heart Hospital ‘a game changer’
For patients, leaders, skilled professionals and the community, the February 21st through 25th celebration in honor of the opening of Sanford Heart Hospital was a real game changer.
Read Story
Connecting Mind, Body and Medicine
Art and music are an integral part of Sanford Heart Hospital’s holistic approach to healing. Learn how Sanford created a healing environment that fuses science with beauty, comfort and care.
Read Story
Celebrate Brighter
Sanford Heart Hospital Tour.
See. Experience. Explore.
Saturday, February 25, 1-4 p.m.
Experience the ways we’re brightening the future of heart care in Sioux Falls and across the region.
Everyday Competitors
There is an everyday competitor in all of us. Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine wants to bring out your best, no matter what your personal goals.
Read Story
Let the Games Begin
There is an everyday competitor in all of us. Ready to rise to the challenge. Taking on whatever stands in the way. Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine says let the games begin.
Read Story
Sleep Thief
Linda Wigdahl struggled with daytime drowsiness, but had no idea the culprit was severe sleep apnea. With help from Sanford Sleep Center, today she’s wide awake and enjoying life!
Read Story
A Classic Survivor
Myron Rau was in the best shape of his life, running and lifting weights every day. He had no reason to think that his heart wasn’t healthy. Find out how a heart screening identified the disease hidden by his otherwise robust health.
Read Story
A Reason to Dance
It’s hard to dance when your tummy hurts. Eight-year-old Lindsay Scott knew that the doctors at Sanford Children’s could make her feel better and help her get back on her toes.
Read Story
A Reason to Trust
Aviation technician Gale Hansen knows that every detail of his work makes the difference between life and death. When facing treatment for tonsil cancer, he looked to find a doctor who had knowledge of the latest medical advancements. Learn how a Sanford oncologist earned his trust.
Read Story
An Uncommon Bond
Twenty years after their mom lost her life to pulmonary arterial hypertension, sisters Lana Eichhorn and Carmen Froseth face the same difficult disease. See how today’s path brings a brighter outlook.
Read Story
Bike Man
Tools, parts and more fill Keith Schoon’s bike repair shop. But the fix for his severely arthritic knee? He counted on Sanford Orthopedics -- and now the kids can count on him.
Read Story
Leading for Better Care
As an experienced nursing mentor and administrator, Kellee Johnk knows what her job is all about. Find out why improving patient care is her passion.
Read Story
Never Too Old to Heal
Aileen Busche knew she was in for a siege when the sore on her ankle refused to heal. In her 90+ years, she’d traveled this path before. But never had she visited Sanford Wound Care Center!
Read Story
Sanford Heart Hospital: Building Brighter Futures
When the doors open March 2012 at Sanford Heart Hospital, cardiac patients will experience a new kind of heart care. Find out how Sanford Heart Hospital will combine 205,000 square feet of innovation, the latest healing technology, with dedicated skilled professionals to heal hearts and brighten futures.
Read Story
The Next Chapter
Five days after graduating from college, Nicki took another step to success: weight loss surgery. “It was life-changing!” she says. Energized and healthy, she never wants to go back to 377 pounds.
Watch Video
Celebrating Her Victories
A small lump under Eva Horner’s arm led to over a year of treatments for breast cancer. Throughout surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, this Hudson woman embraced life and was confident that she would get better.
Read Story
A Heart-felt Symbol
Luci Holte has cared for cardiac patients for over 30 years. This Sanford nurse takes her commitment to heart health so seriously that she wears a tattooed reminder to others to take care of their hearts.
Read Story
The Magic of Three
Is there a doctor in the house? The Stys family has three! “For us it’s a way of life,” says Dr. Maria Stys. “We’re always challenging each other.” See what their passion for excellence means for Sanford -- and you.
Watch Video
Everybody Wins!
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Lundeen has treated a diverse range of orthopedic and sports medicine injuries from the recreational to elite athletes, to patients in need of total joint replacement.
Watch Video
A Blessing Any Day
People the world over recognized it as the granddaddy of all dates: 11-11-11. But for the Middel family from Tower City, N.D., it was all about the baby. And any day would've been perfect!
Read Story
A Child’s View
Three girls used a whiteboard to say what Sanford means to them. Find out what came out of the "meetings" held in 10-year-old Marissa Munster's room.
Read Story
A Hug for Mom
Sherry Schock wanted to be a good mom, but obesity was weighing down her body and her spirit. How did weight loss surgery change her lifestyle and give her the confidence she craved?
Read Story
A Life-Saving Sign
Roger Brooks was healthy and active, but he had a family history of heart disease. A simple screening test showed that he was in serious danger of a heart attack without immediate treatment.
Read Story
Backstory
Alice Olson’s hands were swollen and dark blue, but that wasn’t the reason she was at Sanford Pain Management. See what happens when help for back pain turns into relief for a longstanding disease.
Read Story
More Than a Caring Voice
Laura Langemo, RN is on the frontline of care for female patients. Whether she’s collecting information from newly expectant mothers or answering questions about menopausal symptoms, this registered nurse is happy to be the heart and voice of Sanford’s Southpointe Clinic.
Read Story
Ordinary Day, Extraordinary Achievement
Chemotherapy, surgery, more chemotherapy. Heidi Frie faces a difficult cancer battle. Yet she’s determined to live life as fully as possible, focusing on the day and cherishing every moment spent with family.
Read Story
Pain on the Farm
After a step down from a tractor pulled apart his hip joint, Roger Poppema lived life with constant pain. Would hip replacement surgery help him feel and move the way he wanted?
Read Story
Working Back from Injury
Steph Frohwein is the kind of player that doesn’t let a little hurt slow her down. This high school senior came back from two separate ACL injuries to play better than ever.
Read Story
Perfect Control
Salesman and competitive bowler Mark Rector was on the fast track, as both his career and his body size enlarged beyond his control. What would it take for him to take charge of his weight and health?
Read Story
Angels Among Us
Jeff Kezar and his wife Beth Sheehan eagerly anticipated the birth of Oliver. But when the unexpected happened? See how care teams, technology and more came together to save a mother and her baby.
Read Story
Comfort Beyond Measure
Whether it's needed during serious illness or at the end of life, Palliative Care helps patients and families make every moment the best it can be. Meet Dr. Preston Steen -- the doctor who pioneers this specialty at Sanford Health.
Watch Video
Embracing Hope
From her first day at Sanford Children’s Hospital, Ona Mohlenhoff and her family knew that she would be healed. Learn more about how this 7-year-old girl has been given “hope” that she will beat cancer.
Read Story
Life Links
Phil Harmeson kept thinking the strange symptoms would resolve if he just sat down and rested. But that couldn’t fix an impending heart attack that nearly took his life.
Read Story
Little Dog, Super Spirit
A spinal cord injury may have taken away Super Lance’s ability to move his back legs, but this little dachshund brings smiles everywhere he goes. Find out what happened when this celebrity therapy dog visited patients at Sanford Children’s Hospital.
Read Story
Making Victories Happen
Getting through cancer treatment and back on the golf course -- that’s a victory. And so are the innovative medical advances that bring new hope every day. Meet Dr. Matthew Tinguely and learn more!
Read Story
Setting a New Course
Not even a long, successful career in health care leadership could have prepared Rick Giesel for a recent medical challenge. It tested his character like nothing else. Today he sings the praises of the rehab team that helped him learn to walk again
Read Story
Swinging Back into Life
Shoulder pain was stopping Sharon McCarthy from getting on the golf course and living life the way she wanted. How would a total shoulder replacement help her get back on the links and make life better?
Read Story
Taking You by the Hand
What does it mean? Who can help? What’s the next step? A cancer diagnosis triggers one question after the next. Meet the expert you’ll want on your team: a nurse navigator. Sanford has several!
Read Story
Turn Your Radio On
What do you get when you combine three cool DJs, one important cause and a limitless spirit of giving? Rewind the 2011 “61for61” radiothon -- and feel the love.
Read Story
All for Sophie
Baby Sophie was a “special delivery” all the way. See how several Sanford specialties worked together to resolve a rare, potentially life-threatening lung condition revealed during pregnancy. The result? Beautiful!
Read Story
Getting Her Life Back
Retirement for Beverly Young was supposed to be about travel, camping and sculpting. When an overactive bladder put limits on her lifestyle, she worked to find a way to get her freedom back.
Read Story
Listening to Her Body
Sue Theobald wasn’t feeling good, but she had no idea what was wrong. A diagnosis of ovarian cancer saved her life and she now urges other women to listen to the messages their bodies send.
Read Story
Message on a Bottle
The hours feel like minutes when Sanford volunteer Mary Edmister is in her bliss creating “Bottles of Hope.” What makes each one special? What do they mean to cancer patients?
Read Story
Preserving a Chance for Life After Cancer
When Brandy Hummel began treatment for a brain tumor, her first concern was whether the treatment that would kill the cancer could stop her plans for children someday. A rare surgical procedure allowed her to bring a new baby girl into the world.
Read Story
The Courage to Heal
Jean Borneman felt lucky to be alive after her battle with invasive breast cancer. But what would it take to feel normal again? Breast reconstruction three years later made a surprising difference.
Read Story
A Royal Visitor
Miss America Teresa Scanlan wore her crown to visit Sanford’s Children’s Castle of Care. Find out how she raises awareness for Childrens’ Miracle Network Hospitals and offers the royal treatment to sick children.
Read Story
Heartache
Garth Epperson knew the ins and outs of fixing motor coaches, but what could he do about stubborn heart pain after bypass surgery? He discovered an “electrifying” answer at Sanford Pain Management.
Read Story
Hope and "Hart" Launch Edith Sanford Breast Cancer
The event in August drew dignitaries, special guests -- and well-known TV personality Mary Hart. But that's just the start. Find out how Edith Sanford Breast Cancer will transform care...and find a cure.
Read Story
In Sickness and in Health
Jessica Mertz still can’t believe it happened -- a devastating stroke on her wedding day? Thanks to fact action, excellent medical care and more, she’s alive and on track to living her dreams.
Read Story
The Road to Normal
Susan Berg never expected to get breast cancer. So when it happened? She set her sights on getting through treatment and getting back to normal -- including breast reconstruction.
Read Story
Together…Naturally
Bonding with her first baby was so easy. Would it be just as easy with her second? Sanford Family Birth Center’s “rooming in” provided just the connection Linsey Culkins needed.
Read Story
Two Wheels for Health and Fun
Sanford OBGYN doctor Pamela Ephgrave puts in hundreds of miles per month training on her bicycle for long-distance rides. Learn more about why this Sioux Falls Specialist loves to hit the road on two wheels.
Read Story
Every Step of the Way
For most families, expecting a baby is a joyous journey. But what happens when things don’t go as expected? Sanford’s Maternal Fetal Care Center provides the medical expertise and emotional support needed at a very critical time.
Watch Video
Ski Club & Heart Club
Vern Hanson noticed breathing trouble while skiing the slalom course -- and didn’t ignore it. Today, thanks to lifesaving heart surgery, he’s back on track and kicking up a spray!
Read Story
To Protect and Serve -- a Heart
Retired U.S. Marshall Lyle Swenson spent over 40 years upholding the law and taking care of the people around him. A cardiac screening helped him learn to protect his own heart and health.
Read Story
A Heart for Life
Amazing technology keeps Michael Guenther’s heart pumping until he can get a transplant. But it requires expert ongoing care. A new heart specialty at Sanford makes a winning difference!
Read Story
Climbing Over Cancer
A cancer diagnosis gave Sara Javers the push she needed to live her life with gusto. Learn how she has worked to fight her disease and climb her way to the top.
Read Story
Focused at Birth
When Melinda Wood delivered her second baby, HypnoBirthing classes helped prepare this Sioux Falls mom for a calm, comfortable labor and delivery.
Read Story
Small Town. World-Class Care
Crystal and Jason Carlson picked Sanford Vermillion Medical Center for the birth of their daughter because it was close to home. What they discovered was a local medical center where each family member received exemplary care.
Read Story
Committed to Health and Happiness
She walked with a cane and a wheelchair was next. Kelly Rafferty never imagined her obesity could lead to disability. What a difference when weight-loss surgery enters the picture!
Watch Video
Our Castle is Your Home
Country star Steve Azar penned and played a song inspired by his experience at the Sanford Children’s Castle. Flanked by a choir of children, he debuted the song during Sanford Gala Week.
Listen to a piece of the song here.
Tiny Fading Scars. Long-lasting Hope.
Robotic surgery is changing the landscape for cardiovascular surgeons and patients. Dr. Roxanne Newman is the preeminent surgeon bringing hope to patients in Fargo.
Watch Video
Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Announced
Edith Sanford Breast Cancer will pioneer the future of breast cancer care and research. We will connect and mobilize women to participate in research. We will decode the genetic make-up of every woman and work to evaluate each woman's risk, identify best treatments and ultimately end breast cancer.
Read Story
Sanford 1440—Every Minute a Story
A new day dawns. Thirteen video crews, up before sunrise, travel across 130,000 miles, ready to capture stories as they unfold. Stories unstaged and unscripted. Stories at the point-of-care and behind the scenes. Stories of health, healing and hope. Improving the human condition. What happens here every minute of every day at Sanford Health.
Watch Stanford 1440: Every Minute a Story
The Next Children's World Clinics
Sanford Children's plans to open three new World Clinics as we continue our effort to meet the needs of underserved children around the world.
Read Story
Year of the Nurse
We're honoring the incredible difference nurses make every day. Join us for a year-long expression of gratitude for the humble heroes who serve as the heart and soul of our organization.
Watch the Video
The New Sanford Fargo Medical Center
Sanford is proud to announce plans to build a new state-of-the-art hospital and clinic in Fargo, set to be completed in 2016. Learn what we're doing to bring more jobs and better health care to the communities we serve.
Read Story
A World Without Daily Insulin
A promising clinical trial. An internationally known diabetes researcher. A cure for Type 1 diabetes. Meet Dr. Alex Rabinovitch.
Watch Video
A Gentler Beginning...
Dr. Dennis Stevens is leading national research on the effect of light, sound and privacy on critically ill babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Learn what he’s discovered.
Watch Video
Caring for Body and Mind
For two weeks Kay Cameron tried to figure out her odd emotional outbreak. Stumped, she turned to her trusted doctor … who practices next to a psychologist. Discover Sanford’s new approach to effective mental health care!
Read Story
Fishing for a New Beginning
In a split second, Michael Jirak’s life changed forever. But an amputation doesn’t stop this sportsman from living a full life. See the difference when expert rehabilitation connects with amazing determination.
Read Story
Getting a Good Start
Foster parent Peggy Anderson didn’t expect doctors’ visits to be easy for a one-year-old boy with a number of health challenges. Her family experienced warm, friendly care that has allowed the boy to heal and grow.
Read Story
Looking to the Skies
Up in the air, the Sanford Children’s Hospital’s balloon is a symbol of the pure joy of childhood play. Learn more about this whimsical symbol of Sanford’s commitment to children and the pilot who glides it through the skies.
Read Story
Once Upon a Mouse
Just the sight of him brings a smile. And soon the lean, happy-go-lucky Peeka-Door who presides at Sanford Children’s will begin an epic journey. Meet our beloved champion Alfunz!
Read Story
Save Your Skin!
At age 15 Megan McManus never expected to fight melanoma -- the most dangerous skin cancer. Today this 21-year-old survivor brings an important message that could save your skin -- and your life.
Read Story
Strong Women Unite
A spirited 51-year-old, Kristen Rohde loves motorcycling, horseback riding and scuba diving. What happens when a simple medical test shows diminished bone mass? Can she still pursue her active life?
Read Story
What Men Do
Ron Solberg went to his annual physical feeling great -- no symptoms. What a surprise when the results of one simple test led to a lifesaving diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment.
Read Story
Lights, Camera, Action!
A family from Hillsboro, N.D., travels to Sioux Falls, S.D., to participate in the filming of a Sanford Children’s TV commercial. Exhausting? Yes. “But all very fun,” says mom and nurse Jennifer Vigen-Iverson.
Read Story
Spirit of a Farmer
Dr. John Lee grew up on a small dairy farm where asking “how can we do this better?” was a family mantra. Today that question drives his passion to find a cure for Head & Neck cancer.
Watch Video
A Better Daddy
Travis Smith didn't want his daughters to grow up with memories of a fat, crabby dad. But at 348 pounds, he was exhausted and miserable. What difference could weight-loss surgery make?
Watch Video
A Dose of Faith and Hope
A rare condition called twin to twin transfusion endangered the life of both Faith and Hope Waldner months before their birth. Could doctors save these little girls?
Read Story
A Journey Toward Health
When Laura Fjellestad’s friends cared enough to say they were concerned about her health, she began making changes. Her weight loss of 170 pounds has both enriched and improved her life.
Read Story
Behind Her Smile
Incredibly heavy menstrual cycles were making it hard for Sandy McIlravy to run her store and keep up with her life. Find out how a new procedure helped this Brandon woman control the bleeding that drained her energy.
Read Story
Voice of Victory
Year after year Terri Ferragut went in for her mammogram -- never a problem. Not so last November. Discover the remarkable difference when breast cancer is detected early!
Read Story
A Tale of Two Moms
An avid runner, Tarah Bjorem hoped pregnancy wouldn’t stop her. In fact she ran right up to the day before childbirth -- and delivered outstanding results. Could safe exercise during pregnancy make a difference for you?
Read Story
Spinning for Answers
Florida cyclist Richie Marcus knew the thrill of a well-ridden race. But he also knew the defeat of collapsing and dropping out. Why such drastic swings in a well-conditioned athlete? The answer was 2,000 miles from home.
Read Story
Taking it to the Streets
Heather Schimke knows the challenges of diabetes -- her 12-year-old son, Landon, deals with the disease every day. On June 18 she’ll ride for a cure in the North Dakota Tour de Cure. Come along!
Read Story
The Harvest
In the blink of an eye, 23-year-old Ryan Anderson suffers a devastating farm injury. Will his life ever return to normal? Ryan’s determination and Sanford’s physical therapy yield inspiring results.
Read Story
Trying Something New
Eight-year-old Katelyn Tennant was recuperating from heart surgery when doctors discovered she’d developed a new rare disease. Could an experimental treatment save her life?
Read Story
A Family Knows
Genetic testing helped Lanah Jones’ family understand why their infant daughter was getting sick. The knowledge about this little girl’s rare condition is helping doctors save her life.
Read Story
A Simple Touch
Anita Jalbert expected the birth of her second child to closely match the birth of her first. But one change immediately after birth made a surprising difference. “I’m truly excited about the experience I had with Emme,” she says.
Read Story
Making Memories
When Diane Maher gave birth to each of her three children, the experience was relaxing and rewarding. Find out why this mom chose a certified nurse midwife to guide her through childbirth and beyond.
Read Story
New Moms Together
As Jennifer Bannwarth was preparing for the birth of her first baby, sharing that experience with a group of women was a way to learn at Sanford’s CenteringPregnancy program.
Read Story
Small Steps for Health
With a birthday approaching, Laura Haack knew she wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. See how a health behavior coach helped her take control of her health by making small, but effective changes.
Read Story
Winning the Race
Mike Waldera came back from a serious injury only to have a cancer diagnosis put him on the sidelines of competitive running. The athlete explains how he worked to not only get back into running form, but to win.
Read Story
The Luck of the Irish
Twins born on St. Patrick's Day! But what happens when little Jack and Sam have breathing difficulties at birth? Two teams from Sanford Children's NICU are already there.
Read Story
The Band Plays On
At 21, Ryan Haug never expected to face cancer. “I thought it was a death sentence for anybody who got it,” he says. Today this 18-year survivor is honorary chair for the 2011 “61 for 61” celebration.
Read Story
A Family Calling to Care
In this mother/daughter team of nurses, reaching out to patients and improving health care for everyone is all part of the job. Registered Nurses Mary Dyvig and her daughters Amy Timm and Emily Law say they love working on the frontlines of health care at Sanford Health.
Read Story
A Hero Saved
Police officers expertly deal with danger every day, but what happens when a heart attack hits home? Officer Randy Schmidt gives an inside look at what led to his lifesaving care.
Read Story
A New Family, New Lifestyle
After an earthquake in Haiti, a little girl with a rare genetic condition needed an American family who could love her and meet her medical needs. Throat surgery helped both Djoulissa and her soon-to-be adoptive mother get the rest they needed to thrive.
Read Story
Advocates for Cancer Care
Jim Smorada chooses to embrace his cancer and approach life and treatment with humor and grace. Learn how this newest member of Sanford’s Cancer Action Partners helps improve care for other patients.
Read Story
Blessed
After breast cancer treatment in 1999, Jane Gillund expected life as usual. Then came four cancer recurrences in 10 years. A survivor of extraordinary grace, Jane brings a message of hope.
Read Story
Building a Better Life
Kent Osborne could help plan a new city hall, but fought to control his own weight. Find out how this Vermillion man used bariatric surgery to drop almost 200 pounds and get a new relationship with his body and food.
Read Story
Finding a Home During Cancer
Doug Middle’s work on his new house came to a sudden halt while he underwent treatment for neck cancer. Find out how patient navigators helped the Rock Valley, Iowa, man maintain his independence and rebuild his life during and after treatment.
Read Story
Freedom to Play
An overactive bladder kept getting in the way when Karon Gubbrud tried to play with her grandchildren, travel or even just enjoy a conversation with friends. Find out how a minimally invasive procedure ended her incontinence and opened up her world.
Read Story
Miles to Go
Just two weeks before the 2006 Fargo Marathon and sudden foot pain stops Tarah Bjorem in her tracks. Can anything help? Will her months of training go to waste? Will she run this year?
Read Story
Ready to Play
Two weeks before his third birthday, Treyton Decker was knocked off his feet by a fireworks blast to his face. What was it going to take for this little boy to heal and get back to his busy toddler life?
Read Story
The Puck Stops Here
Fargo Force hockey player Colten St. Clair wears more than 20 pounds of protective gear, but even that can’t stop a concussion. Learn how Sanford helps to save the brains of athletes.
Read Story
One More Sunrise
The Bairds discussed advance directives long before they needed them -- and what a difference. Have you considered yours? April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day.
Read Story
A Day to Remember
Born with Down Syndrome, Lacey Farabee had some extra challenges in her fight with leukemia. A compassionate nursing staff helped this special patient make it through her treatment and celebrate her success.
Read Story
A Family Gathers
Grown son Dale Rust described the journey as “awesome memories at a tough time.” See the difference the Palliative Care Unit made for a beloved 82-year-old and his devoted family.
Read Story
A New Lifestyle on the Farm
Five years ago, Tami Nelson struggled to keep up with life and the chores on her family’s dairy operation. Now after lap band surgery, this farming wife is 90 pounds lighter and ready for anything.
Read Story
A Tool for Weight Loss
Rick Reuwsaat was doing everything he could to keep from adding extra pounds, but his weight was increasing and so were his health concerns. Would gastric bypass surgery be the tool this Sioux Falls man needed to make a healthy change?
Read Story
Amber’s Eden
Young horse Dreamer bolts and hits a fence, throwing Amber Frame to the ground -- face-down and motionless. What trail leads to lifesaving care? It starts on the ground and reaches the sky.
Read Story
Finding the Path
Back pain, weight gain, sluggishness. “I felt like an old man,” says 56-year-old Mike Falkner. See the difference when he discovers one complete program -- and one “super good“ personal trainer.
Read Story
Man Meets Robot
Healthy and strong, Ron Solberg never expected a prostate cancer diagnosis. Nor did he expect a surgical option that included robotics. See the difference today’s technology makes!
Read Story
Spirit for Life
Killian Fritz lives his life without boundaries. This Windom teen says that his summers at Spirit Camp have given him the friendships and confidence he needs to succeed.
Read Story
The Music of Life
Breathless from a flight of stairs, Cindy Arnhold figured she was out of shape. The problem proved far more serious. Who could fix her ailing heart? What could get her back to the life she loved?
Read Story
A Cancer Survivor Looks Back
When he was 18, Carl Sad expected a summer of building patios and shingling roofs. Instead he battled cancer. Today the 40-year-old looks back at the people and places that made a difference.
Read Story
A Heart Saved by Screening
When Dave Wagner’s family dragged him to a heart screening test they saved his life. This active, healthy 66-year-old man was at a major risk for heart attack.
Read Story
A Second Chance
For years Jani Heringer tried to lose weight, but every diet turned out the same: She’d lose pounds, then gain them right back. Would weight-loss surgery be any different? Was there any hope?
Watch Video
A Surprising Path to Pregnancy
For Nichole and John Truhlicka, the dream of a bigger family came to an unexpected halt. For reasons nobody knew, pregnancy simply didn’t happen. Where would they go to get the help they needed? Would it work?
Read Story
Back in the Game
Walking, traveling, working. Peggy Faust loves her active life. But what happens when agonizing joint pain gets in the way? Peggy turns to the team she knows.
Read Story
Bald is Beautiful
What could a family hundreds of miles away do to support their beloved mom, mother-in-law and grandmother in her fight against breast cancer? The O’Meara family discovered inspiration in a clippers.
Read Story
Finding Disease in a Young Heart
As an active mom who ate right and exercised on her lunch hour, Lorie Helgeson had no reason to think that she would have a heart attack. Paying attention to her symptoms and getting to a doctor saved her life.
Read Story
Joy to the End
In a matter of days Judy Bergh went from being an active, working 60-year- old to being paralyzed in a hospital bed with a very aggressive form of cancer. Could anything make this difficult situation better?
Read Story
Like Mother, Like Daughter
The mother-daughter team of Helen Nelson and Connie Schmidt have battled and survived breast cancer for years. The medical care that helped them? All close to home in Bemidji, Minn.
Read Story
Shyness and Smiles
An accidental gunshot victim -- and just 3 years old. What happened? What helped Laine Nicholls from Devils Lake, N.D., survive? Introducing our 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion!
Read Story
Dare to Dream
Chris Brown trudged through the woods cutting dead trees and hauling logs. At 360 pounds, he was out of breath, his back ached and he was exhausted. What could he gain by losing?
Read Story
When You’re Ready for Baby, Sanford Women’s is Here for You
When you’re ready to welcome a baby to your life, Sanford Women’s provides preconception and genetic counseling, a variety of prenatal care options, reproductive medicine services and a range of classes to help you prepare for and manage your pregnancy.
Read Story
Saving Justina
Six-month-old Justina Peters was quite likely to die from a rare bone disease when her Sanford Clinic Belize doctor made a connection with researchers for a new treatment that is helping her live.
Read Story
A Hunter’s Tale
“I Walk on Water” says his ice-fishing sweatshirt. But Steve Eickhoff would be the first to say several people walked on water the day he suffered a heart attack while hunting
Read Story
Grace for the Journey
“Just slap on a little lipstick – you’ll be fine,” says cancer survivor LeAnn Ishaug. But LeAnn and her family know it takes more than lipstick to survive cancer – they’ve been doing it for 31 years.
Read Story
Home Sweet Home
Eyes sparkling and a ready smile, little Kolton loves trucks, shovels … and hugs. A new, innovative approach to care makes a happy difference for kids with special health needs. Parents like it, too!
Read Story
Revolutionizing Surgical Care
A multi-disciplinary team of Sanford employees overhauled the way that knee and joint-replacement patients were prepared for and cared for after surgery.
Read Story
Senior Year
Basketball, volleyball, school activities. Kasey Aune looked forward to a jam-packed senior year. So what happens when she discovers a lump on the side of her neck -- and it's cancer?
Read Story
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
At age 84, Ruth Haugen still had the inner strength to climb a mountain. But was she physically able? “A lot happened after I turned 80,” she says. Discover the key that unlocked her dream.
Read Story
The Return of Smiling Eyes
You’d never know it by watching him today, but at age 3, Lincoln Deibert could barely function -- no facial expressions, no talking, no walking. See how pediatric therapy turned his life around!
Read Story
Life Without Limits
Barbara Angerhofer knew where her incontinence was likely to lead and wanted a different lifestyle. Surgery gave her back her freedom and the ability to live life without her eye on the bathroom door.
Read Story
A Woman Knows...
Marsha Holman knew she needed surgery to remove a large uterine fibroid. But she wasn't quite ready for a hysterectomy or a lengthy recovery. Welcome to the world of robotic OB/GYN surgery!
Read Story
Baby Blue Eyes
Baby Isaac sits on his dad’s lap grinning. “I wanna be an all-star” says his onesie. Thanks to early detection of a serious medical problem, prompt pediatric surgery and winning parents, he’s already there.
Read Story
Miracle in the Woods
Who could’ve predicted the Pratt family’s New Year’s Eve Odyssey? Or the string of miracles that saved the life of their beloved father? “Nobody could have scripted this better,” says daughter Claudia.
Read Story
See How She Runs
A fierce competitor on the grade school soccer field, today Laura Roesler takes the running world by storm. But she’s still that quiet North Dakota girl with a kind, soft heart.
Read Story
The Gift
Kathleen Lunde believes that participation in a clinical trial has helped her go into cancer remission three times. She also believes she’s advanced science for future cancer patients.
Read Story
The Littlest Angels
A neonatal intensive care nurse in Fargo, Alexia Stein had helped hundreds of tiny babies survive, thrive and go home. Why not her own? What can possibly help the Stein family get through this heartbreaking time?
Read Story
All in the Family
Fans of the Minnesota Vikings know that number 69 – Jared Allen – brought unbelievable energy to the defensive line this past season. Now meet his cousin and aunt from Fargo and see how they tackle obesity.
Read Story
Half the Size, Double the Life
Not so long ago, the only kind of shoes Bob Hamel bought were the kind with Velcro fasteners so he wouldn't have to bend over. At 289 pounds, he couldn't do it. Today he laces up his shoes for his daily five-mile run.
Read Story
Happiness Is
Sandra Vigen tried for years to lose weight, but the pounds never stayed off. Confident and successful, she didn't let it stop her from a happy life. What happens when health problems intrude?
Read Story
Less is More
Jason and Tiffany Anderson hold up a pair of men's denim shorts – size 58. Jason used to wear them. Today both fit into them, one in each leg. How did they do it?
Read Story
Living in Harmony
Even at 243 pounds, Kari Caughey enjoyed playing softball with her team in Bemidji, Minn. But it took weight-loss surgery to help her hit a home run in life, health, and love.
Read Story
Losing Weight, Gaining Life
Darin and Michele Kuzel tried dieting and exercise but only when those techniques were accompanied by weight-loss surgery did their lives truly change. Now health abounds.
Read Story
Slimming Down, Revving Up
Her weight kept going up and her life kept spiraling down. At 250 pounds, Carolyn Motl felt like she was running out of options. What difference could a 100-pound weight loss make?
Read Story
Victory for Team Thompson
Three cheers for "Team Thompson" from Oakes, N.D.! In the game of weight loss, Steve and Becki put together a winning combination – including Sanford's Weight Loss Surgery Program.
Read Story