Rural Health System Receives Funds for New Virtual Care Center

Sanford Health, one of the largest rural health systems in the nation, has received a $350 million donation to fund a new virtual care center that will increase access to care for rural and underserved populations in the Midwest.

The virtual care center will serve Sanford Health’s network of 46 hospitals and more than 200 clinics that span across 26 states. Sanford Health said the center will improve care accessibility for communities at the local level and residents that reside in the health system’s long-term care facilities.

“It is crucial we continue to break new ground in how we bring the best of today’s digital world directly to our patients, with seamless, convenient and world-class care for the communities we serve,” Bill Gassen, president and chief executive officer of Sanford Health, stated in the press release.

“The virtual care initiative will accomplish this and deliver medical services to communities, patients, and long-term care residents around the globe when and where they’re most needed.”

In addition to offering virtual healthcare services to Sanford Health members, the virtual care center will support innovation, education, and research initiatives to develop new telehealth and other digital technologies for future healthcare use, the health system explained.

Rural populations frequently face barriers to accessing care whether it be a lack of nearby health systems or lack of transportation. Telehealth has proven to be a convenient option for rural communities by allowing patients to access care from home, though broadband and technology access still pose barriers of their own.

Federal officials have worked to address rural telehealth access by funding nearly $13 million to 61 organizations in underserved rural communities. The goal was to improve access to care by targeting barriers such as economic status, lack of social services, and internet access.

Prior to the virtual care center funds, Sanford Health announced a $300 million initiative to expand graduate medical education and improve community health and wellness at the Sanford Sports Complex in South Dakota.

Almost 20 percent of the United States population live in rural areas, but rural health systems struggle to recruit healthcare professionals. Sanford Health created eight additional graduate medical residencies, hoping to increase the number of healthcare professionals that practice in rural areas.

The health system also built 18 new sports fields at the Sanford Sports Complex to increase access to year-round athletic opportunities for surrounding rural and underserved communities.

Sanford Health’s virtual care center will build on its current telehealth offerings, including e-visits, video visits with a provider, a 24/7 nurse calling service, and a virtual exam service through an app and an at-home exam kit.