ICYMI: From a Handshake to a Hospital . . . Sanford Health is Coming to Town!

Williston, ND (KEYZ) A deal two years in the making finally came to fruition in a big reveal Tuesday in the old hangar at the former Sloulin Field Airport site.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug together with Sanford Health President and CEO Dr. Michael LeBeau announced that Sanford Health and the City of Williston co-signed a letter of intent for the construction of a new hospital and clinic to be located in Williston Square, the former 800-acre site of Sloulin Field International Airport.

“This is a game changer for Williston,” said City of Williston Mayor Howard Klug. “Our goal is to be a regional center for growth, and expanding health care services and infrastructure in our community is an integral part of this.”

In addition to health care, Williston Square includes plans for a Civic Center, shopping, restaurants and new residential homes and apartment buildings.

Sanford and City of Williston leaders share a vision of the future of health care for the region, one that enhances access and provides quality care to the community, western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

“We are excited to collaborate with the City of Williston to deliver health care to more patients in the region,” said Michael LeBeau, M.D., president/CEO of the Bismarck region of Sanford Health. “This announcement sets the foundation to develop and offer the best patient care possible with the goal of high-quality care close to home.”

“We have listened to our community’s health care needs and want to ensure that local voices remain a core component of planning going forward,” said Klug. “We look forward to working with Sanford in the coming months and welcoming them to our community and region. The future hospital and clinic in Williston Square speaks to Williston’s exciting future.”

The first step will be to form a community board that will work with Sanford to provide guidance on local health care priorities. The City of Williston and Sanford aim to have an agreement completed by Aug. 31.