Amy Hinkemeyer
Vice President – Fargo & Bemidji
giving for good bemidji
For patients at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center, the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and beyond, your generosity makes all the difference. Together, we’re powering new insights, driving breakthroughs and providing patients and families with world-class, comprehensive care close to home in the Bemidji region. We’re saving more lives thanks to the addition of the new PET/CT digital imaging system at the Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center and the region’s first Mobile Mammography Unit.
Last year, we put over $2.2 million in philanthropic gifts to work across the Bemidji region. Read more in the 2025 annual report.
Local Priorities
Philanthropy is an integral part of the care provided at Sanford Health. The Sanford Health Foundation in the Bemidji region plays a crucial role in supporting specific programming for patients and staff, upgrading essential equipment, and funding special projects tailored to meet the needs of our communities.
Leadership Connection
A region update from Dr. Jason Caron, president & CEO of Sanford Bemidji.
July, 2026
Earlier this month, I had the chance to spend time with retirees and alumni of Sanford Bemidji during our summer Staying Connected event. For me, this was a truly meaningful opportunity to spend time with people I’ve looked up to throughout my career here. These are thinkers, doers and change-makers who shaped Sanford Bemidji into what it is today. Their ideas, their efforts and their contributions built an innovative, compassionate and patient-centered health system that, over the years, has changed lives and saved lives across our region. These people not only dedicated their careers to our mission, many are longtime donors who continue to support our work through philanthropic gifts.
For me, this event was just another reminder of how truly special the Sanford Health family is. Each of us — employees, retirees and friends like you — support the mission of this organization because we are called to care for others. We have a desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And what we give — through our time, our ideas and our resources — is making a difference for people when it matters most. Please join me in celebrating our Sanford Bemidji retirees and alumni and thank you for being a part of our Sanford Health family.
Dr. Jason Caron
Bemidji’s Signature Events
Below are a few of the signature events we host in the Bemidji region. To see more events in Bemidji, visit our calendar.
Get Involved through Fundraising
At Sanford Health, our doctors, researchers and caregivers are working to bring health, hope and healing to more than 1.2 million people across the Upper Midwest. With you on our team, we can accelerate our race to uncover new breakthroughs, develop new treatments and create meaningful programs that support patients and their families.
Launch your fundraiser in the Bemidji region and inspire others to give for good today!
Bemidji Team
Sally Corser
Philanthropy Officer – Bemidji
Emily Aitken-MaGaurn
Senior Development Officer – Bemidji
Stephanie Skaret
Development Specialist – Bemidji
Deb Koski, CFRE
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Bemidji Board Members
Chair
Ryan Welle
First National Bank Bemidji – President
Vice Chair
Pete Aube
Retired, Businessman
Secretary
Steve Rith-Najarian, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Treasurer
Suzanne Frambers
Retired, Clinical Nurse
Joseph Corser, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Jason Caron, MD
Sanford Health – President & CEO
Jolyn Seitz, MD
Sanford Health – Physician
Ashley Lundin, MD
Sanford Health – Ophthalmology
Mary Fairbanks
Retired, Clinical Nurse and Nursing Professor
Doug Carlson
Retired, Community Volunteer
Krisi Fenner
Bemidji State University – Vice President of Finance and Administration
Andrea Kingbird
City of Bemidji – Attorney
Brad Smith, PA-C
Sanford Health – Physician Assistant