FARGO, N.D. – Sanford Health Fargo has garnered national attention, being recognized as one of America’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals according to Premier, Inc.'s independent quality analysis. This accolade stems from rigorous data analysis aimed at identifying hospitals excelling in cardiovascular care.
Tiffany Lawrence, president and CEO of Sanford Fargo, expressed pride in this recognition, stating, "We are honored to be recognized as one of the top heart hospitals in the country." She pointed out the comprehensive heart care offered at Sanford, which includes everything from preventive screenings to advanced procedures like robotic-assisted heart valve replacements.
The award not only honors achievement but also serves as motivation for hospitals to continually improve care quality and patient outcomes. Hospitals included on this exclusive list showcased enhanced operational efficiencies, significantly lower costs, and superior patient survival rates compared to their peers. According to Premier’s study, these facilities recorded up to nearly $7,000 less cost per patient case.
Meanwhile, sports news from Fargo features the Muskegon Lumberjacks’ announcement on February 25, 2025, of their acquisition of defenseman Finn McLaughlin from the Fargo Force. This strategic trade adds depth to Muskegon’s roster as they look to bolster their performance for the remainder of the season.
McLaughlin, who hails from Canmore, Alberta, is no stranger to success; he was part of the Fargo Force team when they clinched the Clark Cup Championship in 2023. His tenure includes impressive stats of 32 points and a +29 rating over 94 USHL games. Notably, his younger brother Will McLaughlin also plays affiliated hockey for the Lumberjacks.
Interestingly, Finn McLaughlin’s future looks bright as he is committed to playing NCAA Division I College Hockey with the University of Denver and is currently ranked #209 by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. His accolades also include a bronze medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and gold at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge with Team USA.
On another front, the Fargo community faces legal turmoil as the trial for prominent Black Lives Matter activist Faith Dixon has been pushed back to April 22, 2025. The postponement is due to pending legal proceedings against her, involving five counts of theft concerning her nonprofit organization, the Faith4Hope Scholarship Fund, which has allegedly mismanaged significant grant funds intended for underprivileged children.
According to court records, Dixon and her husband Charles are accused of using nearly $350,000 meant for children’s education to benefit their family instead. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation initiated this inquiry, which began last September, after discovering improper fund management and potential conflicts of interest linked to businesses associated with family members.
Details from the investigation reveal Dixon registered her nonprofit back in 2016, with the goal of providing after-school programs to assist students. Additional troubling findings include claims of withdrawing substantial amounts from the grant account for personal expenditures, including restaurant visits and fuel purchases, raising suspicion about the allocation of the funds.
District officials have also terminated partnerships with Dixon after learning she resorted to selling food donations provided to her nonprofit. The public is left awaiting the trial with bated breath as Dixon maintains her innocence, having pleaded not guilty to all charges presented against her.
These three stories—Sanford Health Fargo’s national accolade, the Muskegon Lumberjacks’ strategic player acquisition, and Faith Dixon’s contentious legal battle—illustrate the diverse dimensions of Fargo’s community life, ranging from healthcare to sports achievements, and the serious issues surrounding activism and accountability.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be significant year for Fargo as these stories continue to develop and influence the community on multiple fronts.