Hillsboro Medical Center, Sanford Health complete merger

Hillsboro (ND) Medical Center and Sanford Health officially will merge effective Jan. 1.

In April 2012, the two organizations announced a letter of intent; this move culminates the merger.

The facility will be known as Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center. The two organizations initially announced plans to merge in April.

The medical center, with 148 employees, has 16-beds and is a non-profit critical access hospital with attached 36-bed long term care and 16-unit assisted living facilities.

Sanford Health also has a clinic located within Hillsboro Medical Center. It has two physicians, Charles Breen and Tim Luithle, as well as a physician’s assistant.

“We have a strong commitment to our community, and together we are confident there are opportunities for further growth and partnership in the Hillsboro area,” said Jac McTaggart, CEO of Hillsboro Medical Center.

An employee and community celebration is planned for Jan. 9 from 4-6 p.m. at the Chapel in Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center, located at 12 S.E. Third St., Hillsboro.

The Hillsboro facility has been managed by Sanford (previously Meritcare) since 2000.

“The long-term partnership between Sanford and Hillsboro Medical Center is a demonstration of our commitment to patients and rural communities” said Rick Giesel, president of Sanford Health Network, Fargo.

Hillsboro Medical Center services include: general acute care, emergency care, ambulance, laboratory, physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, hospice, psychiatric consult, IV therapy, lymphedema management, nutrition consult, respite care, restorative nursing, pharmacy consult, tracheotomies and speech therapy, long term care and assisted living.

With a population of 1,600, Hillsboro is located in eastern North Dakota along I-29, about half way between Grand Forks and Fargo. Approximately 23,000 people live within 30 miles of Hillsboro, according to the news release.

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