A Partnership for Peace of Mind

At Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the motto is “kids rule this castle.”

That’s because the hospital—with architecture resembling a medieval castle, complete with a brick façade and cheerful blue turrets topped with colorful flags—is designed to help fortify young patients against any illness they’re facing.

With 135 local providers trained in 35 pediatric specialties, Sanford Children’s Hospital is a vital part of Sanford Health. As the largest rural health system in the country, Sanford Health serves more than 2.4 million patients across the upper Midwest.

Pediatricians at Sanford Children’s have recently noticed an enemy infiltrating the hospital’s inner sanctum: a steadily increasing number of behavioral health problems affecting pediatric patients. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 kids and teens in the U.S. suffer from a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition. The children and adolescents treated at Sanford Children’s are most often showing signs of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, self-harm, trauma, disruptive behaviors, and social stressors.

In the past year, more than 5,500 patient encounters have involved a behavioral health diagnosis or other mental health concern.

Some are modern problems driven by increased internet and social media use among young people. Some are mental health issues correlated to illness or injury, a mind-body connection medical experts recognize as the intrinsic relationship between emotional and physical well-being.

“The increasing influence of social media and the expectation of immediate gratification have contributed to rising concerns among a vulnerable youth population,” says Shane Hamilton, director of operations for the Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic. “In addition, we recognize a strong correlation between behavioral health needs and other medical diagnoses, reinforcing the importance of treating the whole child.”

Medical diagnoses often come with emotional baggage, too, Hamilton explains. A child newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes might be struggling to cope with lifestyle and dietary changes. A young patient battling cancer might endure lengthy hospital stays while processing feelings about treatments and mortality. A teenager admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after a vehicle accident might be experiencing acute trauma and heightened anxiety.

“Behavioral health needs in children are expected to continue growing, making it essential to have staff who are well-trained and confident in meeting these complex needs,” Hamilton says.

Joining the fight

In addition to being a longstanding client, Sanford Health has a decades-old relationship with Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) built on a shared commitment to the communities they serve. MMA’s Dakotas offices have long supported Sanford Health initiatives, from sponsoring hospital galas to funding cameras that provide families with streaming video of their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Steve Vlk, CEO of MMA’s Dakotas offices, still wanted to do more. After talks with hospital staff, a theme emerged: children being treated at Sanford Children’s Hospital need additional mental health services and a continuum of care.

In May 2025, in collaboration with Sanford Health Foundation, MMA announced a $1 million, 10-year philanthropic commitment to better integrate behavioral health care into inpatient pediatric care at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls.

“Pediatric mental health was compelling to MMA because we see every day how deeply mental and behavioral health challenges affect children, families, and our broader communities,” Vlk says. “Our long-standing partnership with Sanford Health gave us confidence that this gift would translate into real outcomes for kids and families.”

Sanford Children’s integrated health therapists are on the front lines, fielding tough questions from vulnerable patients that, at times, their training, education, and experience can’t answer. When kids are admitted to the hospital in need of behavioral or mental health treatment, they need specialized and compassionate care.

The first year of MMA’s investment focused on strengthening the foundation of behavioral health services at Sanford Children’s Hospital and funded the hiring of a dedicated integrated health therapist. The hospital is enhancing its internship programs, training staff to more thoroughly screen young patients for mental health concerns at admission and will be adding a social worker and an adolescent medicine physician.

Perhaps most visibly, hospital facilities are being modified to encourage play therapy and relaxation, with comfortable seating, fun wall graphics, and a new “Zen Zone” for adolescents.

“It is moments like this that make the donation from MMA valuable because they have allowed for more resources, support, and education to help the individuals and families that Sanford proudly serves,” says   Hamilton. “I am thankful for this donation for the use of a playroom to help children express their inner worlds. Another huge benefit is the ability to further educate staff on best practices, to not only be a human in healthcare, but to know how to handle situations in the midst of uncertainty.”

Jody Huber, medical director of the PICU at Sanford Children’s Hospital, says she’s excited to see how these additional behavioral health tools will improve physical and emotional outcomes for patients and their families.

“We have utilized behavioral health services significantly more often for a variety of reasons—supporting patients when the ICU experience is difficult, helping them cope with challenging diagnoses, addressing self-harm concerns, and supporting parental coping,” Huber says. “We believe it significantly improves care.”

A healthier future

MMA wants to ensure that the contributions have a positive, enduring impact. Vlk hopes the 10-year effort will bring significant change to the trajectory of pediatric behavioral health in the region for generations to come.

“We also wanted to lead by example in philanthropy, signaling that children’s mental health is not a side issue, but a core community priority that deserves sustained investment for years to come,” Vlk says.

“That means more children getting timely access to care, families feeling supported instead of isolated, and providers having the resources they need to deliver high-quality, specialized services close to home,” he continues. “Our hope is that, over time, we can look back and see that this gift not only improved access to care but also helped set a new standard for what it means to invest in kids and families in our region.”

Vlk emphasizes that the effort aligns with MMA’s values: doing what’s right, looking ahead, and strengthening communities where clients and colleagues live and work.

“As an organization focused on helping businesses protect their people and their futures, supporting pediatric mental health is a natural extension of our mission,” Vlk says.

Sanford Health and MMA’s philanthropic partnership does just that, says Bill Gassen, Sanford Health’s president and CEO. With more resources promised over the next decade, Sanford Health will be better able to attract top talent and thus better address the growing mental health needs of young patients.

“We look forward to fostering more positive outcomes for children in the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for [MMA’s] generosity and partnership,” Gassen says.

In the same fashion that Sanford Health is committed to treating the whole patient, MMA is committed to supporting the whole client, Vlk explains.

“By partnering with Sanford Health, we’re demonstrating that we are invested in the same things they care about—not just their business outcomes, but the well-being of their employees, their families, and their communities,” Vlk says. “This initiative underscores that, for us, client relationships are long-term partnerships built on shared values and a shared commitment to making a positive, lasting impact.”