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Residents and staff at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home, The Oaks and Poplar Creek Estates celebrated the merger with Sanford Health Thursday afternoon, Feb. 21.
Root beer floats, music and special activities highlighted the two-hour celebration.
The Oaks celebrated with donut a la mode.
Poplar Creek made tie blankets in honor of the merger theme of “Stronger Together.” The finished blankets were donated to the Sanford Children’s Hospital. As residents listened to music by Matthew Stensland-Bos of Luverne, they enjoyed root beer floats.
At the Mary Jane Brown Home, residents, staff and family members listened to the singing of Bruce Dysthe before enjoying ice cream cake.
Randy Bury is the new president of the Good Samaritan Society, a name Sanford continues to use. He made an official address via YouTube about the merger.
“This historical moment for both organizations is really worth celebrating,” he said. “Our residents, family members and donors are part of a new health care model that is community-based — patient-resident-client center — to ensure everyone receives the best care available.”
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society voted last year to merge with Sanford Health.
The merger became official Jan. 1, according to a Sanford press release.
Together the organizations serve and care for individuals through the entire span of life.