Sakakawea Medical Center is partnering with Rural Physicians Group (RPG) to enhance healthcare services right here in our rural community, beginning April 15, 2026.
[Hazen, North Dakota — March 24, 2026] — Sakakawea Medical Center (SMC) has proudly served Hazen and the surrounding communities for nearly 80 years, guided by its mission to be a comprehensive healthcare system dedicated to providing the highest-quality care across the region.
“Our priority has always been to keep care local and ensure our patients have access to high-quality services close to home,” said Kurt Waldbillig, Chief Executive Officer of Sakakawea Medical Center. “This partnership strengthens our ability to do just that by bringing highly experienced providers and additional medical resources to our community while continuing to deliver the level of care our patients deserve.”
To further enhance services for Mercer County and neighboring communities, Sakakawea Medical Center has partnered with Rural Physicians Group (RPG). RPG specializes in rural medicine and has partnered with hospitals for nearly two decades. The organization currently supports 43 rural hospitals nationwide, providing full-time, on-site providers and specialty care to improve access, continuity, and quality of care. RPG’s mission is to bring rural hospitals and providers together to better meet the needs of the communities they serve—living out their slogan: “We Keep Local Patients Local”
“We’re hopeful about what this collaboration means for our patients,” said Dr. Jacinta Klindworth, Chief of Staff of Sakakawea Medical Center. “It enhances the care we provide locally and ensures our community continues to have access to consistent, high-quality services. This initiative will also allow our current hospitalist physicians to transition back into full-time clinic practice, improving access and strengthening primary care services in our community.”
“This is about creating a system that works better for our patients and our providers,” said Marti Raad, SMC Board President. “We are investing in a model that supports access, quality and long-term stability for our healthcare community.”
This partnership will officially begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Additional details, including information about the physicians and advanced practice providers joining the SMC care team, will be shared in the coming weeks.
Sakakawea Medical Center looks forward to the year ahead, continuing to provide top-tier care for the community—right here at home.
Leadership Representatives:
Jacinta Klindworth, MD, FAAFP
Chief of Staff, Sakakawea Medical Center
Family Medicine Physician, Coal Country Community Health Center
Kurt Waldbillig
Chief Executive Officer
Sakakawea Medical Center & Coal Country Community Health Center
Marti Raad
Board President
Sakakawea Medical Center
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