Resources

We work to support veterans and current military members with programs designed to meet their care needs.

We offer:

• Sanford Veterans Clubs: Our medical centers in Fargo, North Dakota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, welcome patients with military experience. Our Sanford Veterans Clubs are private, peaceful places with coffee, computer access and lounge areas featuring game tables and TV. Learn more about these amenities.
• Veteran Ambassador Program: We actively seek out volunteers with a military background for our Veteran Ambassador Program. These volunteers visit fellow veteran patients to help make them feel at home during their hospital stays. Learn more about this program.
• Veteran Hotline: The Sanford Veteran Information Hotline provides veterans with a single point of contact for questions. Call (800) 949-1848 to reach the hotline.

Sanford Health cares for veterans and their families and wants to connect you with the services you need and deserve.

Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line offers confidential support for veterans, National Guard and Reserve military members, service members and their loved ones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The crisis line is available to you even if you do not receive VA benefits or health care.

To connect with a caring responder who is ready to offer confidential crisis support:

• Dial 988, then press 1
• Visit the Veterans Crisis Line to access the online live chat
• Text 838255

Bereavement Counseling
The surviving spouse, child or parent of a service member who died while serving may qualify for bereavement counseling through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Vet Centers. Bereavement counseling, also known as “grief counseling,” provides support for people after the death of a loved one.
VA benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors and Family Caregivers

Spouses and dependent children of a veteran or service member may qualify for:

• Health care
• Life insurance
• Money to assist with school or training

Survivors of a veteran or service member may also qualify for added benefits including help with burial costs and survivor compensation. Learn more about family member benefits.

National Association of County Veterans Service Officers
Need assistance? Want advice?

County Veterans Service Officers help veterans and their families access the benefits and support they need. They offer specialized knowledge of available services and a compassionate understanding of the problems veterans and their loved ones face.

Sanford Health works with a variety of organizations to support military families.

Our partnerships:

• American Legion
• Disabled American Veterans
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
• Hire Heroes USA
• Military Officers Association of America
• Order of the Purple Heart
• Paralyzed Veterans of America
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Warriors Never Give Up 
• DoD Military Spouse Employment Program
• DoD Skillbridge Program

Our sponsorships:

• Fargo Fisher House
• Sanford International—Veterans VIP Tent
• SD Military Heritage Alliance
• SD Veterans Community Project: Tiny Houses for Homeless
• South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
• USS South Dakota Commissioning Ceremony
• Wings of Valor
• Folds of Honor

Sanford Health prioritizes Tribal nations, citizens and other Indigenous populations by removing systemic barriers. Because of these efforts, proper care can be accessed in a timelier way.

Improvements we are working on include:

• Reviewing, understanding and removing barriers that create detriments and disparities for Tribal nations, citizens and Indigenous patients
• Providing and honoring traditional, cultural and spiritual care in a holistic way
• Ensuring ease in access to care, including admittance and discharge
• Respecting distinct cultural and traditional Tribal and Indigenous practices and ways while supporting the needs of the patient and their family

This is done in partnership and consultation with Tribal nations, Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, Tribal health services, and Tribal citizens, families and Indigenous populations.

Sanford Health also provides a tool powered by Findhelp, which spotlights organizations that are culturally attuned and aligned with the unique needs, values and priorities of Tribal nations.

Sanford Health’s commitment to standing and new relationships with Tribal colleges, regional universities and other Tribal schooling institutions is a top priority.

We continue to support and develop programs to recruit and maintain a skilled workforce of Indigenous health care providers so we can better represent the Sanford Health patient population.

In this work, we strive to uphold our objectives, which include:

• Advancing connections with Tribal colleges, regional universities and other educational institutions where Tribal citizens and Indigenous populations have the opportunity to understand and see future health care opportunities
• Supporting Tribal colleges by offering opportunities with our scholarship programs
• Implementing employee resource groups (ERGs) and business resource groups (BRGs) to support the lived experiences of Sanford Health team members with their own Tribal and Indigenous backgrounds, as well as welcoming all Sanford Health team members to join these groups, creating educational and fellowship opportunities

Sanford Health is actively engaging Tribal leadership, citizens and nations on health care issues that have been specifically identified by Tribes as priorities. In the spirit of consultation and respect, we are focusing on:

• Improving dialysis services
• Identifying and supporting Tribal community events, educational offerings and community investments
• Collaborating and creating long-term, affordable health insurance policy plans for Tribal nations, citizens, workforces and other relevant Tribal entities
• Uplifting, participating and partnering with Tribal health conferences and other gatherings to share space in addressing health care issues, advances, strengths and needs, opportunities, policies and other partnerships

Sanford Health is seeking innovative ways to improve Tribal health and health care in both active and future partnerships.

Through our Tribal health equity and experience initiative, we prioritize:

• Dedicated internal Sanford Health teams as resources, strategy partners, knowledge centers, technical assistance and more
• Tribal health advisory committees and other patient and family advisory councils with an Indigenous lens and more Tribal voices
• Endowment funds to support yearly operations and strategic plans specifically for Tribal nations and citizens
• Listening opportunities, including listening sessions and roundtables, to meet Tribes where they are at, knowing that Tribes understand their health and health care needs best
• Empathy, compassion and understanding in addressing Tribal health care needs
• Empowering Tribal nations and citizens to have a voice and seat at the table to speak on issues