Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health's German subsidiary acquired a minority stake in Munich, Germany-based health system Isar-Klinik II AG, which owns the Isar Klinikum hospital in Munich, marking Sanford's first investment in an international hospital.
However, since 2015, Sanford has sent some of its U.S. patients to Isar Klinikum to receive stem cell therapies allowed in Germany. It has also sent 11 physicians to the hospital to learn more about these therapies.
Sanford Health President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft will serve as a member of Isar Klinik II AG’s board of directors.
"This is another significant step in our goal to advance health care around the world," said Krabbenhoft. "Isar's ground-breaking procedures and medical technology are well-known, and we are eager to strengthen our relationship with the hospital and its leaders to bring that knowledge and care to our patients."