Sioux Falls, S.D. – Sanford Health is bringing its virtual care innovation to rural South Dakota, expanding services to 27 Good Samaritan Society skilled nursing and assisted living locations across 14 communities. The expansion is part of Sanford’s landmark $350 million virtual care initiative aimed at improving access to quality health services in small towns across the region.
The new program, My Care Line, connects on-site caregivers to registered nurses and advanced practice providers from Sanford Health during evenings, weekends and overnight hours. The system offers around-the-clock support for clinical assessments, medication administration, and urgent care needs that arise outside normal hours.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for our virtual care initiative as we bring care closer to seniors and families at our Good Samaritan long-term care locations across South Dakota,” said Susan Berry, vice president for virtual care operations at Sanford Health. “By harnessing our expertise as an integrated health system, this program strengthens our capacity to quickly assess and respond to residents’ needs — empowering caregivers to deliver the highest quality care when and where it’s needed the most.”
My Care Line operates 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and 24 hours a day on weekends, providing continuous access to clinical expertise. The service helps reduce hospital transfers and after-hours disruptions, giving residents the ability to receive timely care in their own facilities.
The program also helps bridge gaps in rural access. Half of the participating communities have populations under 1,000, and four lack a local hospital. Some residents previously traveled up to 40 miles for care, while others live more than an hour from a major medical center.
“With My Care Line, we’re not just giving residents a way to connect with clinicians from home — we’re giving our nurses and directors of nursing peace of mind and a powerful extension of their team,” said Nate Schema, president and CEO of Good Samaritan. “They now have real-time clinical support at their fingertips, which means fewer middle-of-the-night calls and more resources to deliver timely, expert care.”
In some facilities, video visits will be supported by TytoCare devices equipped with an otoscope, stethoscope and exam camera, allowing remote providers to conduct comprehensive assessments.
While My Care Line is launching in South Dakota, Sanford Health plans to expand the program to all Good Samaritan skilled nursing and assisted living locations nationwide.
For more information, visit sanfordhealth.org.
