What It Really Means to Be Locally Owned and Operated: A Closer Look at Winner Regional Health

When it comes to choosing a healthcare provider; trust, transparency and medical expertise all matter. That’s why understanding the difference between a local health system and a corporate one is more important than ever. Many in our community have questions about our relationship with Sanford Health. Winner Regional Health is locally owned and operated, and that makes a tangible difference in how we serve you.

When large corporations manage healthcare systems, healthcare can feel impersonal. Patient voices can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. But at Winner Regional, every decision we make is rooted in our community's needs. While we do affiliate with Sanford Health for IT services, Electronic Medical Records, supply chain buying power, and other items; we retain full decision-making authority through our local board and leadership team. We’re not just in this community; we’re made by it and we’re here for it.

Choosing a locally owned hospital like Winner Regional Health doesn’t just mean supporting your community—it means receiving care shaped by people who understand your values, concerns, and priorities.

Here’s why local ownership makes a difference:

• Decisions are made close to home: Our leadership and board live and work in the area, so they’re directly invested in what’s best for the community.

• Community accountability: Because we’re locally governed, you have more access and input into how care is delivered. We adapt our services based on the unique health challenges and preferences of the people we serve.

At Winner Regional, your voice is central to everything we do.

Clearing Up the Confusion: The Sanford Health Connection

One of the most common questions we hear is: “If I see Sanford equipment or services here, doesn’t that mean they own the hospital?”

The short answer is no.

Here’s how it works:

• Sanford provides important contracted technology support, including electronic health records and certain IT infrastructure. So, whether you need a routine check-up or a life-saving procedure, you don’t have to leave home to get world-class care.

• Winner Regional remains independent in all aspects of decision-making, operations, staffing, and patient care.

• Our board is local—made up of people who live here and understand our specific healthcare needs.

When a hospital is locally owned and operated, it’s able to respond faster and more effectively to the needs of the community. Decisions like expanding telehealth services or bringing in a new specialist aren’t delayed by corporate chains of command—they’re made quickly, based on real-time feedback from patients and staff. That flexibility means more timely care and services that reflect what matters most to the people right here at home. Being locally owned and operated isn’t just a business model—it’s a commitment. At Winner Regional Health, we’re proud to be a healthcare organization built by this community, for this community.

Another benefit is the sense of familiarity and trust that comes from being treated by people you know. Many of our staff members are your neighbors, friends, or family members. That kind of connection creates a more personal, comfortable experience—especially during challenging times. And because we’re a non-profit organization, we invest in what our community truly needs, from wellness exams and preventive screenings to long-term care. It is healthcare shaped by values.

Just because we’re local doesn’t mean we’re limited. Winner Regional Health offers a comprehensive range of services, combining small-town attention with big-city capabilities:

• Primary care for all ages

• 24/7 emergency services

• General and specialty surgery

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Long-term care and skilled nursing

In a time when so much of healthcare is becoming impersonal and distant, we offer a refreshingly individualized approach. You deserve care from people who know your name, understand your needs, and are empowered to act on them.