Amy Hinkemeyer
Vice President – Fargo & Bemidji
giving for good bemidji
For patients at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center, the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and beyond, your generosity makes all the difference. Together, we’re powering new insights, driving breakthroughs and providing patients and families with world-class, comprehensive care close to home in the Bemidji region. We’re saving more lives thanks to the addition of the new PET/CT digital imaging system at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center and the region’s first Mobile Mammography Unit.
Last year, we put over $2.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bemidji region. Read more in the 2025 annual report.
Local Priorities
Philanthropy is an integral part of the care provided at Sanford Health. The Sanford Health Foundation in the Bemidji region plays a crucial role in supporting specific programming for patients and staff, upgrading essential equipment, and funding special projects tailored to meet the needs of our communities.
Leadership Connection
A region update from Dr. Jason Caron, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
September 2026
In the last year, four women in rural communities near Bemidji learned they had breast cancer because they stepped aboard our Mobile Mammography Unit for their annual mammograms. At first glance, four may seem like a small number. But behind each diagnosis is a mother, daughter, sister, grandmother or friend whose life was changed by the power of early detection. For many rural patients, distance, time and scheduling challenges are often barriers to preventive care. The reality is, without access to our Mobile Mammography Unit, these women may have delayed or forgone their annual mammograms. Instead, their cancers were identified at stages when treatment was still possible and hope was still within reach. For me, these four diagnoses are a powerful reminder that philanthropy is more than simply funding equipment. It creates opportunities for earlier intervention and better outcomes, and it ensures that patients and families across our area can have more moments that matter.
As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to thank you again for your partnership, your generosity and your commitment to making a difference for patients and families across our communities. We are so grateful.
Dr. Jason Caron
Bemidji’s Signature Events
Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Bemidji region. To see more events in Bemidji, visit our calendar.
Get Involved through Fundraising
At Sanford Health, our doctors, researchers and caregivers are working to bring health, hope and healing to more than 1.2 million people across the Upper Midwest. With you on our team, we can accelerate our race to uncover new breakthroughs, develop new treatments and create meaningful programs that support patients and their families.
Launch your fundraiser in the Bemidji region and inspire others to give for good today!
Bemidji Team
Sally Corser
Philanthropy Officer – Bemidji
Emily Aitken-MaGaurn
Senior Development Officer – Bemidji
Stephanie Skaret
Development Specialist – Bemidji
Deb Koski, CFRE
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Bemidji Board Members
Chair
Ryan Welle
First National Bank Bemidji – President
Vice Chair
Pete Aube
Retired, Businessman
Secretary
Steve Rith-Najarian, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Treasurer
Suzanne Frambers
Retired, Clinical Nurse
Joseph Corser, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Jason Caron, MD
Sanford Health – President & CEO
Jolyn Seitz, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Ashley Lundin, MD
Sanford Health – Ophthalmology
Mary Fairbanks
Retired, Clinical Nurse and Nursing Professor
Doug Carlson
Retired, Community Volunteer
Krisi Fenner
Bemidji State University – Vice President of Finance and Administration
Andrea Kingbird
City of Bemidji – Attorney
Brad Smith, PA-C
Sanford Health – Physician Assistant