Sanford Health has announced a gift of $350 million from philanthropist T. Denny Sanford in support of a clinical initiative to create a virtual care center that will provide accessible care in rural and underserved areas of the Midwest.

The virtual care center will serve people from across Sanford Health's network of hospitals and clinics, expanding opportunities to receive care in rural communities as well as long-term care locations. It also will house innovation, education, and research initiatives to advance digital healthcare solutions for the future.

"It is crucial we continue to break new ground in how we bring the best of today's digital world directly to our patients, with seamless, convenient and world-class care for the communities we serve," said Sanford Health president and CEO Bill Gassen. "The virtual care initiative will accomplish this and deliver medical services to communities, patients, and long-term care residents around the globe when and where they're most needed."

Sanford, who in March committed $300 million to rural healthcare access, has pledged a total of nearly $1.5 billion to the nation's largest rural healthcare system.

"I am committed to seeing this initiative become a reality," said Sanford, who was among the inaugural members of the Giving Pledge. "I continue to give to Sanford Health because I believe that supporting the people and communities in the regions they serve is the best investment I can make."

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