Sanford Health Acquires Stake in Costa Rican Health System

BISMARCK, North Dakota, July 25 -- Sanford Health issued the following news:

Sanford Health has acquired a minority equity stake in a health care company in Costa Rica. The health system operates hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, dental offices and a health membership plan.

Hospital Metropolitano, a member of the Montecristo Group Health Area, is one of the fastest growing private health care organizations in Costa Rica. Founded in 2010, its mission is to provide high-value care with affordable cost for middle-income families.

In January of 2018, Sanford Health and Hospital Metropolitano signed a cooperation agreement to share information on operational activities, training and best practices.

Now, Sanford has a stake in its holding company, with the hopes of opening more facilities, expanding services and providing additional training for medical personnel.

"Sanford World Clinic brings the opportunity for shared learning and innovation in health care delivery to regions around the globe through innovative partners like Hospital Metropolitano in Costa Rica," said Dan Blue, M.D., president of World Clinic.

Francis Durman, CEO of the Montecristo Group Health Area, highlighted the benefits of this agreement.

"We are very pleased to consolidate our business relationship, as Sanford is one of the largest groups in United States' medical area in the business of hospitals, clinics and everything related to health. The agreement with Sanford allows them to replicate their successful services for our patients in Costa Rica," Durman said.

Sanford Health's international health care arm, Sanford World Clinic, is in nine countries with more than 80 locations. Supported by philanthropy and launched in 2007, the initiative is designed to foster partnership with health care leaders in the development of sustainable services around the world.

Each partnership is unique in terms of scope of service and type of agreement. The focus of the collaborations range from primary and pediatric care to research and health system operations.

Currently, the Hospital Metropolitano network includes two hospitals, seven satellite clinics, 23 clinics of corporate medicine, 16 clinical laboratories, three dental clinics, a series of pharmacies and two centers of excellence (Cancer Care and Mental Health Care). Hospital Metropolitano has become the cornerstone of Grupo Montecristo's medical division that also holds the MediSmart Plan, a membership service that provides for medical examinations and a series of discounts for advanced diagnostic and clinical services.

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About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have transformed how Sanford Health improves the human condition. For information, visit sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.