FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Starting September 1, Sanford Health will provide dialysis services for patients in the Oakes area, assuring patients they will continue receiving life-saving care when DaVita Oakes Dialysis closes on August 31.

Earlier this summer, when DaVita announced it would be closing Oakes Dialysis, Sanford Health leaders began talking with the company, and also leaders in the Oakes community, about how to make sure patients continue to receive dialysis services.

“We are excited to let the area know that Sanford will continue providing this important service,” said Ashish Regulagadda, M.D., a nephrologist who oversees dialysis in Oakes. “Dialysis is a very time consuming service for patients, they have to make daily or weekly trips to a dialysis center for years. We are offering home dialysis, but for some patients, coming to a center is their only option.”

People need dialysis when they develop end stage kidney failure. The next closest dialysis unit is in Aberdeen, S.D. approximately 69 miles away.

DaVita dialysis has been operating in Oakes for the past 10 years. Sanford has provided the medical director and nephrology oversight of all patients in this dialysis unit since its inception. Sanford has also provided nephrology outreach service in Oakes.

Sanford will assume the building lease. Oakes Enhancement Inc. has been instrumental in purchasing equipment from DaVita.

“The transition is a mission-based project,” said Jordan Ottoson, executive director for the Sanford Health network. “We don’t expect any growth. We are truly trying to ensure that patients get the care they need, close to home.”