Contact Us Give MyChart

Our Story

Since our founding in 1947, we have continued to care for all who need us and to bring health, healing, and a better quality of life to our neighbors. We serve Dunn, Mercer, and Oliver counties, and are located in the heart of rural Mercer County and housed in the city of Hazen, North Dakota.

Sakakawea Medical Center consists of a 13-bed critical access hospital and a 34-bed licensed basic care facility. Our organization is a community-owned, not-for-profit organization and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Any money remaining after expenses have been paid is reinvested back into the community to support local healthcare and education.

Mission Goals

  • Provide high quality care that is measured and continuously improved.
  • Provide individualized care that exceeds expectations of those we serve.
  • Strengthen partnerships with providers to enhance coordination of care and improve system performance.
  • Be a steward of resources.
  • Commit to service excellence.
  • Be a vital contributor to our area communities.
  • Recognize the value of each employee and provide opportunities for personal growth and development that complement the needs of the organization.

Our Vision

We strive to be a complete healthcare system dedicated to providing the best comprehensive care possible to the area that we serve. Our vision is to enhance the lives of our patients, families and area communities through high quality healthcare and services.

Core Values

  • Quality: We are dedicated to excellence in healthcare for our communities, resulting in uncompromised value and quality in the services we provide.
  • Compassion: We will positively affect the health and well-being of our communities by providing compassionate care.
  • Integrity: We will insist that integrity, honesty, confidentiality, respect and dignity are reflected in all relationships with co-workers and those we serve.
  • Teamwork: We will work as partners, combining our skills and ideas to continuously improve the quality of the care we provide, in pursuit of our Vision and Mission.
  • Safety: We believe everyone has the right to a safe and secure environment. We earn trust by providing safe facilities and work practices, dedicated to the well-being of our patients, employees and guests.

Our History

1941The original hospital began as a private undertaking by a Beulah woman until Hazen’s plans for a new, modern facility were underway.
1946Construction began on the new proposed hospital after the approval of an agreement with Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society to operate the new facility.
1948The new hospital was opened and operational, consisting of 23 beds.
1960sIt became apparent that major remodeling or a new facility was needed. In the late 1960s, construction began on new 39-bed, 8-bassinet hospital at the east edge of Hazen.
1970The new facility was opened in its new location, where SMC currently resides.
1982Construction began on a $1.2 million expansion and renovation of the hospital.
1988The name of the hospital was changed to Sakakawea Medical Center. SMC is a community owned and operated hospital under the Hazen Memorial Hospital Association.
1997Senior Suites at Sakakawea was added to the hospital campus as a 34-bed licensed basic care facility.
2012After conducting a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment, local health providers and leaders concluded that the area was in need of additional technology, services, and accessibility the current facility could not provide.
2015Construction began on a $30.5 million replacement hospital to address the needs that were uncovered in the Community Health Needs Assessment. The new hospital would be located directly south of the previous hospital facility.
2017In April, the retiring facility was closed and the new facility opened in April. The new medical center houses a health clinic, expanded ER and surgical area, handicap-accessible patient rooms, centralized registration area and nurse’s station, and other needed changes and technology updates.