Over his 34-year career with Sanford Health, Dr. Walter Frank has cared for, literally, thousands of hearts across western North Dakota. Well known as the pioneer of cardiac medicine in Bismarck, Dr. Frank helped establish the first modern catheterization lab as well as nuclear cardiology, cardiac rehabilitation and other life-saving heart programs.
Even though he’s now retired, Dr. Frank is still caring for hearts — this time through the goodness of his own.
Together with his wife, Carolyn, a long-time volunteer for the Sanford Health Foundation, he established the Dr. Walter and Carolyn Frank Endowment for Cardiology through the Sanford Health Foundation. The fund will continue the Franks’ legacy of care by helping to support Sanford’s cardiology programs in Bismarck for generations to come.
“We believe in being part of the community and giving back to the community,” Dr. Frank said. “This hospital has been a part of my life for a long time, and I would like to see it rise.”
“I think it’s important that this community have access to quality cardiac care,” he said. “In our way, we hope to ensure what’s here now can continue and grow – with good equipment and good personnel for future patients who need cardiac services and cardiac care.”
Carolyn agreed.
“This community has been so good to us. We want to pay that forward,” she said.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to support Bismarck’s Sanford Health Foundation initiatives, giving to the Sanford Health Foundation will ensure that 100% of your donation will go to support patients and their families receiving care.
Give the gift of compassion to patients and families receiving care at Sanford Health facilities.
GIVE TODAY