By HFT Staff

Sanford Health and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System announced the two systems have combined their organizations, strengthening care delivery in the region. 

The partnership includes financial investments in the Watertown community, making lasting impacts on health, wellness and quality of life in the region for many years to come. 

Over time, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System will transition to the Sanford Health name and brand while preserving and expanding health services across the many communities it currently serves. Patients will continue to see their current provider, and Sanford Health is committed to ensuring there are no disruptions in care for any patients as the two systems come together. 

John Allen, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System president and CEO, will continue to lead the organization. 

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System cares for 90,000 people in a 10-county region of northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System is licensed to operate 81 acute care hospital beds, including labor and delivery, telemetry, critical care and general hospital. Hospital services also include a 24-hour emergency department, surgery capabilities, interventional cardiology and services providing diagnostics and imaging services. The organization has approximately 800 employees, including 60 providers.