Sanford Health has announced a significant development in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the establishment of a new medical campus following a generous donation of $300 million from philanthropist Denny Sanford. The new facility, named the Sanford Black Hills Medical Center, will be located at 7220 Mt Rushmore Road, adjacent to the recently acquired Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center. Construction is slated to commence in 2027, with a projected completion date of 2030.
The proposed campus will span 480,000 square feet and will include 168 inpatient beds. Plans feature a comprehensive women’s health center equipped with a labor and delivery unit, along with specialized inpatient and outpatient services tailored for children. There are also intentions to potentially double the facility’s capacity in the future. According to Sanford Health, the new center aims to enhance specialty care availability in the region.
Bill Gassen, President and CEO of Sanford Health, expressed gratitude for Mr. Sanford’s donation, stating, “Mr. Sanford’s extraordinary generosity and vision inspire what we do every day at Sanford Health. We are honored to carry forward his remarkable legacy in the Black Hills.”
Expanding Healthcare Options and Workforce Development
In addition to the medical services, the campus is set to feature a full emergency department, an intensive care unit, surgical suites, a dialysis center, and an oncology infusion center. Dr. Lew Papendick, board chair of the Sanford Black Hills Surgical Hospital, highlighted the potential impact of the new campus on the local healthcare landscape. He noted that it will attract more physicians and create jobs, thereby providing expanded healthcare options for the community.
This announcement follows a series of strategic acquisitions by Sanford Health in the West River market, including the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, Black Hills Surgical Hospital, Black Hills Plastic Surgery, and Creekside Medical Clinic. Monument Health, a direct competitor, has historically been the primary healthcare provider in Rapid City. Nevertheless, leadership from both organizations has acknowledged the evolving competitive environment, emphasizing the importance of providing patients with more options.
Sanford Health is also investing in the local workforce, committing $10 million over the next decade to collaborate with K–12 schools, technical colleges, and universities in the Black Hills region. This initiative includes a $3 million investment in the Build Dakota program to support technical education and $2.5 million to expand the Aspire program, which offers hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students.
Kyle Wiese, president and CEO of the Sanford Black Hills region, remarked, “Building a robust and sustainable healthcare workforce begins with education. These investments empower local students to pursue careers in healthcare, ensuring the next generation of caregivers is rooted in the communities we serve.”
Since 2004, Denny Sanford has contributed nearly $2 billion to the health system, marking a significant commitment to improving healthcare in the region. The development of the Sanford Black Hills Medical Center represents a pivotal step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and services in Rapid City and surrounding areas.
