The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Sanford Health finalized its merger with MeritCare Health System of North Dakota Monday, November 2. The merger will expand the two systems' areas of service in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

MeritCare is North Dakota's largest health system and is known for a number of clinical specialties such as the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Heart Center, and Children's Hospital. Sanford continues to grow following its gift of $400 million from T. Denny Sanford in 2007. Sanford Health has recently initiated research programs in children's health and other research areas, an initiative to fund a cure for Type 1 diabetes, and the establishment of Children's World Clinic. The interim official name for the new health system is Sanford Health-MeritCare, but a permanent name likely be chosen next year.

Construction of new facilities in Sioux Falls continues at both Sanford USD Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital and University Medical Center.

Sanford broke ground Wednesday, October 7, on the Sanford Heart Hospital, which will be located at the intersection of 18th Street and Grange Avenue. The 205,000-square-foot facility will include 58 patient beds, cardiovascular operating rooms, catheterization labs, and clinic and outpatient services all under one roof. The Sanford Heart Hospital building is scheduled to open in 2011.

The Sanford Cancer Center has also expanded with a new floor dedicated to hematology and oncology services. The first phase of the facility previously opened in 2003 and houses radiation services. The Sanford Breast Health Institute opened in 2007 at the Center and features diagnostic breast imaging services. The Sanford Cancer Center also includes the Kirby Cancer Resource Center and Bloom the Cancer Boutique, which carries a variety of specialized products and services that help manage appearance changes from cancer treatments.

At Avera McKennan, the massive Avera Cancer Institute is beginning to take shape. The five-story, 217,000-square-foot building will house 57 infusion suites, eight outpatient operating rooms, three radiation oncology vaults, and clinic space for 25 providers, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, bone marrow transplant, hematology, pediatric oncology, and GYN oncology.  Avera Cancer Institute is expected to open in the fall of 2010.