RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sanford Health announced a $300 million philanthropic gift from Denny Sanford today, establishing the new Sanford Black Hills Medical Center campus in Rapid City.
The new state-of-the-art campus, set for southwest Rapid City adjacent to the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, will expand access to world-class specialty care. Services planned for the facility include an emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU), a dedicated oncology center, comprehensive women’s health services including a labor and delivery unit, and children’s services.
Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, emphasized the lasting impact of the gift.
“Mr. Sanford’s extraordinary generosity and vision inspire what we do every day at Sanford Health. His philanthropic gifts have transformed health care across the region, touched the lives of millions and will continue to benefit the communities we serve for generations to come,” Gassen said. “We are honored to carry forward his remarkable legacy in the Black Hills.”
The proposed 480,000-square-feet medical center will initially include 168 inpatient beds, with future expansion planned for an additional 168. The facility is also slated to include surgical suites, cath labs, full inpatient and outpatient imaging suites, and a dialysis center.
Lew Papendick, M.D., board chair of the Sanford Black Hills Surgical Hospital, noted the benefit to the community.
“This is a momentous day for patients and residents in the Black Hills,” Papendick said. “The new Sanford Black Hills Medical Center campus will attract even more exceptional physicians in a wide variety of specialties to the region and bring advanced care closer to home for our community.”
Construction for the facility is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion expected by 2030.
In addition to the medical center, Sanford Health plans to invest $10 million over the next decade, starting in 2026, to partner with local K-12 schools, technical colleges and universities across the Black Hills. These funds will support workforce development and medical education programs.
Kyle Wiese, president and CEO of the Sanford Black Hills region, spoke about the education investment.
“Building a robust and sustainable health care workforce begins with education. These investments empower local students to pursue careers in health care, ensuring the next generation of caregivers is rooted in the communities we serve,” Wiese said.
