Fairview, Sanford are in early process of 'learning about each other'

Work crews at two Fairview construction projects nearing completion in Chisago County, were going about their jobs as Fairview takeover rumors swirled last week. The new clinic and pharmacy in North Branch has an opening planned April 30. The orthopedic specialty center at the Fairview Lakes campus in Wyoming has been taking shape for months. Fairview also has a clinic in Chisago City, where Chisago Health Services’ rural hospital was located prior to CHS’s merger with Fairview.

In a statement released last week to “provide clarity” to the takeover rumors, Sanford Health described itself as the largest employer in North and South Dakota. Fairview, with the exception of Chisago and North Branch local school districts, is also one of the top employers in Chisago County. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson announced she’ll hold public hearings on the possible Sanford Health takeover of Fairview sometime within this month. In the Sanford statement, Kelby Krabbenhoft said the two organizations are, “...in the very early process of learning about each other.” The healthcare organization was concerned over characterization of Sanford by Minnesota officials, as an out-of-state business. Krabbenhoft said both organizations have similar interests in components of healthcare, especially research.

According to Modern Healthcare.com Sanford owns, leases or manages 33 hospitals and employs 6,000 in Minnesota. Sanford has recently taken over Broadway Medical Center in Alexandria, MN and earlier acquired the Wheaton, MN hospital. Clearwater Health Services in Bagley, MN is also a recent Sanford acquisition.