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Sanford Health
Bemidji, Minnesota

Chief Physician and Medical Officer, Bemidji

AdministrationNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$248k-$340k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Sanford 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.

Work Shift

8 Hours - Day Shifts (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Compensation

Salary Range: $248,469 - $340,000

Union Position

  • No
  • Department Details

Summary

Responsible of the development of projects, strategies and business ventures for an assigned clinic.

Apply advanced technical and medical knowledge of clinical administration, along with external market practices to solve highly complex challenges.

Job Description

Responsible for the operations of all clinics within the region in collaboration with the clinic executive leadership.

Lead the overall integration efforts both within the clinic, and between the clinic and all central service corporate departments, including clinical care, employee and physician relations, as well as other activities that relate to the integration between the clinic and other parts of the enterprise.

Oversee the design and implementation of region strategic initiatives in collaboration with enterprise leadership. Advise senior leadership on enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and take responsibility for the implementation of initiatives as they relate to clinic operations.

Accountable for risk management within the clinic and for collaborating with system risk management and corporate counsel to reduce risk exposure. Participate in and provide clinical expertise in data collection and analysis to achieve high-quality services and cost efficiency.

Coordinate physician input and efforts to develop and coordinate clinical pathways, practice patterns, protocols and plans for leadership development through the creation of orientation, educational and mentoring programming for physicians in board positions and management.

Consult, counsel and collaborate with executive leadership to provide leadership and direction in setting strategy, planning and facilitating physician relations and activities. Responsible for the development of policies regarding inpatient and medical staff management.

Provide leadership and clinical expertise within assigned area of practice by collaborating with executives and leadership, and advise the health service division and hospital management on medical staff operations. Responsible for the proper application of federal and state mandates to medical staff.

Serve as the medical administrator for the facility, providing clinical-based leadership and administrative direction. Participate in and provide clinical expertise in data collection and analysis to achieve high quality services and cost efficiency.

Ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality evidence-based health care and strong financial performance in accordance with the enterprise mission, vision and strategic goals.

Qualifications

MD or DO required.

A minimum of three years of administrative experience, such as medical director or chief of service, as well as service on a leadership committee, such as a board of governors or a medical education council preferred. Minimum of ten years of practice experience and experience in a physician leadership governing role or sufficient experience to maintain a clinical practice required.

Must be licensed to practice medicine and be Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certified in the state of practice. Must complete an American Medical Association (AMA) residency and be certified, or eligible for certification by the appropriate American Board of Specialties. Must earn certification by the appropriate American Board of Specialties within the first three years of employment and maintain the certification for the duration of the appointment.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Physician and Medical Officer is responsible for overseeing regional clinic operations, integrating clinical services, and implementing strategic initiatives. They provide clinical leadership, manage risk, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Strategic planningData analysisHealthcare operationsPolicy developmentEvidence-based medicineFinancial performance managementRegulatory compliance

Administration — Physician Career Context

Physician pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Minnesota is 98.6 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$294k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $298k in an average-cost state. 63.4% of Minnesota clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

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Work-life snapshot

median 5.1this job 3.9
Better work-life than 40% of Physician roles listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 21,936 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends

Living in Bemidji

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$226k≈ 0.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,203/mo≈ 6% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
17 min
State income tax
Up to 9.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.