Virtual Care Initiative

In 2021, we announced a landmark Virtual Care Initiative as part of our commitment to transform healthcare for patients living in rural and underserved areas. By expanding our services in the places we call home, we’re embodying our vision to be the premier rural health system in the U.S.

Virtual care services

Virtual care makes it possible for patients to see a provider or specialist wherever they are. By combining the latest technology with our team’s expertise, we can deliver more care options to more people.

Learn more about virtual care services

Sanford Virtual Care Center

The Sanford Virtual Care Center (VCC) is a part of our $350 million Virtual Care Initiative. The VCC offers a direct connection to our satellite clinics, giving patients the option to get the care they need in person with more resources and expertise available virtually.

Innovation Center

Located in the VCC, the Innovation Center is a dedicated dynamic space for teams focused on research and development. Its mission is to accelerate the development of new care models, digital tools and technologies to improve patient access, safety and outcomes.

The Innovation Center brings together clinicians, engineers, researchers and strategic partners to co-create solutions that improve how we deliver care. Whether a team is exploring a new idea or scaling a proven concept, this space offers the tools, technology and support they need to help move innovation forward.

Learn more about innovation at Sanford Health

Education Institute

The Education Institute helps caregivers provide seamless virtual care to their patients and serves as a dynamic learning environment where caregivers can deepen their understanding and build new skills to enhance both care quality and the patient experience.

Within the Education Institute are simulation spaces equipped with augmented and virtual reality tools. These tools offer students, residents, clinicians and nurses hands-on training for the future of healthcare delivery.

Email vccsimeducation@sanfordhealth.org to learn more about the Education Institute.

Our pillars of care

Virtual care

Through our work, our team reaches more patients and offers easier access to care.

graphic of a brain with other design elements

Innovation

Our team is always looking for better ways to deliver care virtually. We consider, adopt and exemplify collaborative healthcare solutions.

Health care professionals conversing with each other in a small group

Education

We’re making an impact today while we prepare for tomorrow. We attract and train physicians, residents, students and nurses to deliver the next generation of care.

Inside the Sanford Virtual Care Center

Accelerator spaces

Accelerator spaces are designed to foster connection, creativity and progress. These rooms offer a flexible environment and are ideal for strategic planning, team huddles and collaborative sessions. The accelerator environment also supports collaboration with vendors, licensees, research teams and internal partners.

Makerspace and workshop

The makerspace is a state-of-the-art space where creativity comes to life. Created to support Sanford Health employees and partners based on project needs, this collaborative lab allows teams to build, prototype and test new tools and technologies that can transform care delivery.

A 3D printer is located on site and housed in a temperature-controlled room for optimal performance.

SPARK Lab

The Solutions for Progress, Advancement, Research & Knowledge (SPARK) Lab spaces are designed to replicate real clinic and hospital environments, complete with patient beds and select medical equipment.

These rooms provide a hands-on setting for students and clinicians to practice scenarios, try using new tools, explore clinical decision-making and engage in mannequin-based training. Whether used for simulation, procedural practice or collaborative learning, these spaces offer a realistic environment that supports experiential education.

Patient and family experience room

This space introduces patients to Sanford Health’s digital tools, including guided scheduling, virtual assistants and digital navigation. It focuses on improving patient access to care through mobile platforms which enhance convenience and remove barriers to treatment.

Simulation center

The simulation center is a fully immersive virtual clinical environment where learners can practice complex scenarios without real-world risk.

From in-hospital care to emergency response, our virtual reality simulation room provides a hands-on, repeatable experience that enhances decision-making, teamwork and critical thinking.

The simulation center is perfect for individuals of all training levels.

Debrief rooms and classrooms

Our debrief rooms are intentionally designed to facilitate meaningful reflection and performance reviews following simulation experiences. These private spaces are more technologically advanced than our classrooms and include video meeting capabilities, making them ideal for both in-person and remote debriefs. By putting enhanced technological features in a psychologically safe environment, our debrief rooms support focused communication, learning and team development.

Our classrooms are designed to support a variety of instructional formats and are equipped with video conferencing technology and essential audiovisual tools. These rooms are perfect for lectures, workshops and hybrid learning sessions, and they offer a reliable and connected environment for both educators and learners.

Virtual Care Initiative