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 regions first Mobile Mammography Unit.

 

Last year, we put over $3.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bemidji region. Read more in the 2024 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.

3D Mobile Mammography Unit

You are invited to join our efforts to provide greater access to lifesaving breast cancer screening and early detection technology through our new 3D Mobile Mammography unit, the first-ever mobile mammography service to be offered for the Bemidji region.

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Cancer

More than 3,000 of our neighbors across the region turn to the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center every year. Donors support costs of lifesaving MRIs, services like nurse navigation at no cost to patients, complimentary wigs and head coverings, advanced technologies for cancer prevention, detection and treatment, staff education, and so much more

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Behavioral Health

In the last 10 years, the Sanford Bemidji Mobile Crisis Transportation saw a 316% increase among adults needing psychiatric crisis services and a 338% increase among children. Philanthropy supports psychiatric services at the Sanford Bemidji Crisis Center, scholarship and internship opportunities for local students in behavioral health fields, community and school-based programming to expand mental health screening and access, and so much more.

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Leadership Connection

A region update from Karla Eischens, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
May 29, 2025

 

Nearly 70% of rural counties in the U.S. are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. But thanks to support from friends like you, Sanford Health continues to develop creative solutions to improve access to care for every patient, everywhere — no matter their zip code. Because where you live should never determine the state of your health. In the Bemidji region, our Mobile Mammography project is a great example.

 

When our Mobile Mammography Unit launches later this year, it will bring lifesaving 3D mammography technology to more women across our region, eliminating barriers such as proximity to a local health care facility, lack of transportation and other factors. Made possible thanks to the generosity of our community, our Mobile Mammography Unit will add over 1,100 screenings each year, with appointments typically taking less than 25 minutes, Phase one of our plan includes the communities of Walker, Bagley, Blackduck, Cass Lake, and Park Rapids, with additional locations to be added later. It’s another example of how philanthropy is not only enhancing care, it’s expanding access to care when it matters most. Learn more about this important project and see how you can get involved.

 

Karla Eischens

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!

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Bemidji Team

Deb Koski

Chief Philanthropy Officer, CFRE

Amy Hinkemeyer

Vice President – Fargo & Bemidji

Emily Aitken-MaGaurn

Senior Development Officer – Bemidji

Stephanie Skaret

Development Specialist – Bemidji

Sally Corser

Philanthropy Officer – Bemidji

Bemidji Board Members

Chair

Joseph Corser, MD

Sanford Health – Emergency Room Physician

Vice Chair

Gretchen Knutson

Delta Dental Plan of Minnesota – Vice President Customer Service

Secretary / Treasurer

Bruce Bentfield

First National Bank Bemidji – Commercial Loan Officer / Indirect Lending Division Manager

Jake Bluhm

Bluhm Insurance Agency, Inc. – State Farm Insurance Agent

Karla Eischens

Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota – President

Mike Fogelson

Up North Sports – Business Owner

Tim Dondelinger

Dondelinger Chevrolet Buick GMC – Business Owner

Dr. John Hoffman

Bemidji State University – President

Jared Pink

TruStar Federal Credit Union – Vice President

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