Sanford Health Group Return

What it reported doing in 2009

Sanford Research is a non-profit research organization formed between Sanford Health and the University of South Dakota. In 2007, a transformational gift of $400 million by Denny Sanford has allowed for an expansion of current goals and will enable Sanford Research to become one of the premiere research institutions in the United States and the world. Sanford Research is composed of several research centers, including Cancer Biology, Cardiovascular Health, Health Disparities, Methodology and Data Analysis, Sanford Children's Health, and the Sanford Project.Sanford USD Medical Center is a 500-bed tertiary care regional medical center and the primary teaching hospital for the Sanford School of Medicine. It also features:*400 physician multi-specialty practice for Sanford *1.25 million outpatient and 50,000 inpatient visits per year *Stable, compliant population base for clinical research *Electronic medical record and clinical information system *Multi-generational families for clinical studies *Accommodating regulatory environment *Comprehensive research infrastructure *Ongoing in-house research *The Sanford Project *Global presence in clinical and research relationships The Cancer Biology Research Center features basic and translational research with strengths in breast, head and neck, ovarian, colon, cervical and lymphoid cancers. Research teams are working on projects aimed at understanding the molecular, cellular and genetic basis of cancer that can lead to the discovery of new biomarkers, drug targets and novel therapies which will improve the health and survival of cancer patients.The Cardiovascular Health Research Center includes basic studies examining cardiac and skeletal muscle development, how these processes are altered in muscular dystrophy, and how diabetes and the sympathetic nervous system affect the pathogenesis of heart failure. Research projects also focus on clinical studies examining the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease.The Health Disparities Research Center provides an infrastructure for communities and investigators to partner in designing and implementing research programs with the goal of eliminating health disparities. Active research and service projects focus on a variety of public health topics, including maternal and child health, obesity and nutrition, and adolescent health.During FY 2010, Sanford planned for a more than $7 million grant to be awarded in FY 2011 to help address health disparities among American Indians. The grant will help establish a National Center for Minority Health Disparities (NCMHD) Exploratory Center of Excellence. The five-year award totaling $7,162,047 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a collaborative grant with the University of South Dakota and the Sanford Research/USD Health Disparities Research Center. This award is a renewal of a five-year program project lead by Amy Elliott, PhD. Collaborative partners for this project includes the University of South Dakota, Sanford, the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman's Health Board and Sinte Gleska University.This grant will create infrastructure and unite resources to conduct health disparities research, provide educational opportunities for Native American students and increase the dissemination and utilization of scientific and health information relevant to health diversity population.The Methodology and Data Analysis Research Center collaborates with other centers on study design, monitoring, and data analysis for basic, clinical, and population research. The center also encompasses primary biostatistical and epidemiologic research focusing on methodology, as well as disease etiology and prevention.The National Institute for Athletic Health & Performance (NIAHP) focuses on new research to address training, competition, and rehabilitation challenges for youth and other populations. From this research, the NIAHP partners with sport and sports medicine national governing bodies in deve

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 53.3%; rating input score 53; 11th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 3.4%; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.72; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.65; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.3%; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: Limited
• Asset growth: Limited