Forbes Names Sanford Fargo Among Top Hospitals
Sanford Medical Center Fargo was recently named to the inaugural Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list and recognized as a 5-star facility.
From an initial pool of 5,400 hospitals nationwide, Forbes identified 2,500 that met its criteria and then assigned ratings from one to five stars. Only 253 hospitals earned five stars, placing Sanford Fargo among the top 5% in the country. Sanford Fargo and Sanford Bismarck are the only hospitals in North Dakota to receive 5-star overall ratings.
The Forbes Top Hospitals rating system evaluates general acute care hospitals throughout the United States to offer consumers unbiased information on which hospitals can offer top-notch, high-value medical services, no matter where they are in the country, while also giving hospitals a benchmark to compare their performance to that of their peers.
“We are honored to be named a top hospital and 5-star facility by Forbes,” said Tiffany Lawrence, Sanford Fargo president and CEO. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our exceptional leadership team, clinicians, nurses and support staff, who work every day to provide access to compassionate, world-class care. From offering the only blood and bone marrow transplant program in the upper Midwest to our role as North Dakota’s only Level I Trauma Center, I’m so proud of how we continue to expand our services to ensure our communities receive the care they need, close to home.”
Sanford Fargo is the sole provider of several unique services and programs in North Dakota, including the only Level I Adult Trauma Center, Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and blood and bone marrow transplant program in the state. In addition, Sanford Fargo is also an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center and recently achieved Magnet® designation, the most prestigious credential a health care organization can achieve for nursing excellence and quality patient care. In 2024, Sanford Fargo received a 5-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
A full list of the Forbes Top Hospitals 2026 list can be found here.