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Patrick Springer

Patrick Springer first joined The Forum in 1985. He covers a wide range of subjects including health care, energy and population trends. Email address: pspringer@forumcomm.com

Sanford's corporate headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D. Handout.
Minnesota
Sanford and Fairview to delay merger further at Minnesota official's request
The extension is in response to a request from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office is reviewing the potential merger.
April 03, 2023 03:43 PM
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By  Patrick Springer
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News
‘Sunshine laws’ help to keep government open  — but come with exceptions
Media advocates say North Dakota and Minnesota "sunshine laws" generally work well to keep government open — but South Dakota lags behind its neighbors in open records and open meeting laws.
March 11, 2023 07:00 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
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Minnesota
Sanford-Fairview merger could slash services and raise prices, Minnesota nurses claim
A report by the Minnesota Nurses Association suggests services will be cut and prices will rise if the merger goes through. Both health systems say they plan a "strategic investment" of $500 million.
February 25, 2023 05:00 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
A baby smiles directly at a camera while being held by a smiling woman. A man smiles up at them from a couch in the background.
Health
West Fargo girl's bout with RSV offers cautionary tale for parents
Respiratory syncytial virus, which continues spreading in the area, can cause serious breathing difficulties in very young children with tiny airways that can become obstructed.
December 06, 2022 10:57 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
Sanford Medical Center is seen Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Fargo. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor
Health
Minnesota AG's office investigating proposed Sanford, Fairview merger
In 2013, a proposed merger between Sanford and Fairview derailed after Minnesota officials expressed concerns.
November 17, 2022 03:00 PM
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By  Patrick Springer
The exterior of the Sanford Medical Center emergency room
Health
Sanford, Fairview explore merger with goal of joining forces by end of 2023
Sanford Health and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services are pursuing a merger planned for completion by the end of 2023 that would combine the nation's largest rural health provider with a major Twin Cities health system.
November 15, 2022 11:00 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
generic vaccine shot photo
Health
Doctors warn flu cases could spike, possible COVID wave on horizon
Signs point to the worst flu season in recent years, while new coronavirus variants continue to appear and RSV respiratory infections are on the rise.
October 31, 2022 06:30 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
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Health
Sanford Health partners to overcome data ‘bottleneck’ hindering medical AI tools
The use of artificial intelligence, which enables computers to learn, has been hampered by a lack of clinical data. Sanford Health has joined with Dandelion Health and Sharp HealthCare to try to solve that problem.
August 27, 2022 10:00 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
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South Dakota
Bison are getting smaller. It’s another sign of climate change — and poses challenges for herds
Bison that lived 3,000 years ago were 37% larger than those living today because of a warming climate — a trend that will accelerate, with bison projected to become 46% smaller by the end of the century. Bison are shaggy sentinels of climate change on the prairie.
August 05, 2022 12:57 PM
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By  Patrick Springer
A man and woman smile for a photo while the man holds a dummy head with a cap on it.
Health
Sanford research aims to get to the bottom of binge eating
Studies at the Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research are looking at how inadequate sleep is related to binge eating and how some people process images of food and body type relate to binge eating. Both studies are recruiting participants.
July 25, 2022 05:33 AM
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By  Patrick Springer
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