Strengthening
Health Care Together
Sanford Health and Fairview Health Services announced a Letter of Intent to create a combined system that is uniquely positioned to provide more people access to high-quality, equitable health care; accelerate population health and value-based care; and drive clinical innovation for the benefit of rural and urban communities.
Together, we will extend the reach of high-quality care and services to more people across the Midwest, with 56 hospitals and approximately 600 care sites, an established health plan, a specialty pharmacy and pharmacy benefit manager and growing Medicare Advantage options.
Both Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health will remain nonprofit entities, each with their own regional presence, leadership and regional boards in the markets they serve. Upon close of the transaction, the name of the parent company will be Sanford Health. The transaction is subject to antitrust and other necessary reviews and closing conditions. Read the full press release to learn more.
James Hereford,
President & CEO
Fairview Health Services
James Hereford is President and CEO of Fairview Health Services, a leading non-profit integrated health system serving Minnesota for more than 150 years. James joined in 2016 having previously served as Chief Operations Officer at Stanford Health Care. Under James’ leadership, Fairview is now one of the most comprehensive and geographically accessible systems in the state, with 10 hospitals serving the greater Twin Cities metro area and north-central Minnesota. James is dedicated to ensuring Fairview Health Services continues to advance its vision of a healthier future for the patients and communities it serves.
Bill Gassen,
President & CEO
Sanford Health
Bill Gassen is President and CEO of Sanford Health, an integrated health system with a deep commitment to serving communities across the Dakotas and the Midwest. Since joining the organization in 2012, through his appointment to President and CEO in 2020, Bill has overseen transformational growth as well as groundbreaking initiatives to expand access to high-quality care for rural and underserved communities. He previously served in a number of leadership roles for the organization, including chief administrative officer, chief human resources officer and corporate counsel, and prior to that practiced health care law. Bill is focused on driving efforts to make care more accessible, affordable and equitable for people no matter where they live.