Fortune Names Sanford Health One of America’s Most Innovative Companies for Fourth Consecutive Year

Bill Gassen

For the fourth consecutive year, Fortune has named Sanford Health to its list of “America’s Most Innovative Companies.” The 2026 list recognizes 300 U.S.-based companies for leadership in fostering creativity, advancing technology and driving transformational change. 

Sanford Health is the only company headquartered in South Dakota or North Dakota to earn a place on the list, which includes some of the world’s most recognized brands including Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Nike, Amazon, Netflix and The Walt Disney Company. Among the 300 honorees, Sanford Health is one of just 20 health systems nationwide to be recognized, joining organizations such as Cleveland Clinic, Houston Methodist, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Fortune identified Sanford Health’s culture as its strongest dimension, reflecting a commitment to systemwide transformation through technology-enabled care that enhances the patient experience and strengthens the workforce.

“This recognition is a testament to our caregivers and employees, whose ideas and dedication are driving meaningful innovation across our organization,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health.  “Together, we are reimagining how care is delivered – deploying technologies like AI to expand access, support our workforce, improve affordability and deliver better outcomes for the patients and communities we serve, especially across rural America.”

Fortune’s ranking is based on three equally weighted dimensions: product innovation, process innovation and innovation culture. The list was developed in partnership with Statista.