Bismarck CEO Appointed National Role, Brigadier General
August 21, 2026
Contact:
Chelsey Kralicek
Sanford Health Media Relations
701-516-4903 / Chelsey.Kralicek@SanfordHealth.org
BISMARCK, N.D. – Sanford Bismarck President & CEO, Todd Schaffer, M.D., has been selected for promotion to Brigadier General and appointed to serve as Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel & Readiness (OUSW(P&R)), a senior military leadership position responsible for advising on Reserve component medical readiness, mobilization and health support policy across the Department of War.
Dr. Schaffer will transition from his current role as North Dakota Army State Surgeon to the new position on Aug. 1, 2026. He will continue serving as President & CEO of Sanford Bismarck while taking on these additional military responsibilities. A formal pinning ceremony recently marked the appointment
In his new role, Dr. Schaffer will serve under the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, helping guide efforts to ensure Reserve and National Guard medical forces are prepared to meet operational and deployment requirements
“This appointment is an incredible honor and an opportunity to continue serving our nation in a meaningful way,” said Dr. Schaffer. “My experience as State Surgeon has reinforced the importance of ensuring our National Guard forces are medically ready to answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed. I look forward to supporting that mission on a national level.”
As Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs, Dr. Schaffer will help oversee policies related to Reserve component medical readiness, manpower and healthcare, while serving as a strategic liaison between Department of War leadership and Reserve component leaders. The role is responsible for aligning reserve medical capabilities with Department of War priorities and addressing health issues unique to Reserve and National Guard personnel.
Dr. Schaffer’s selection reflects a distinguished military career dedicated to advancing the health and readiness of service members. His experience as Army State Surgeon has prepared him to address complex readiness challenges across the Reserve and National Guard enterprise
“We are proud to see Dr. Schaffer advance to this important national leadership position,” said Jason Vollmer, Sanford Bismarck Board of Directors Chair. “His commitment to service, leadership and healthcare excellence has benefited our patients, employees and communities, and we know those same qualities will continue to make an impact at the national level.”
While assuming this new military assignment, Dr. Schaffer remains committed to Sanford Bismarck’s mission of delivering high-quality care and improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves
The Sanford Health Bismarck Region provides health care to central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It includes 26 clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Dickinson, Williston and Watford City, as well as a Level II trauma center located in Bismarck
About Sanford HealthSanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes 92 retail pharmacies, including Sanford and Lewis Drug pharmacies with locations in 6 states, and more than 300 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
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