Join us for a Food Distribution event
Oct. 6, 2025 | 9 AM – 12 PM
East Campus of Sage Memorial Hospital, Ganado, AZ
Drive-thru service only – stay in your vehicle, and volunteers will load food directly into your trunk or back seat.
Food items may include fresh produce, canned goods, and more!
For more info: Contact Mercede Johnson, Community Health Division (928)654-8037
#FoodDistribution #CommunitySupport #SageMemorialHospital #StMarysFoodBank
September 2025 Mobile Clinic Schedule
Stay healthy with our convenient services from Sage Memorial Hospital & Navajo Health Foundation.
Note: No clinics on Sept 1 (Holiday), 15, 18, & schedule subject to change.
Contact:
GANADO, Ariz. –Arizona House Democrats, including Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez (D-18), Rep. Patty Contreras (D-12), House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos (D-11), and Rep. Mae Peshlakai (D-6), visited Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) on Aug. 28, as part of their “Democrats Deliver Tour.” The visit highlighted healthcare challenges and solutions for the community and celebrated the hospital’s recent achievements.
The agenda, hosted in the hospital’s Human Resources Cedar Conference Room, began with lunch and a prayer led by Alton Lizer, Primary Therapist at SMH. Delores Noble, Board Chair of SMH, provided the opening remarks, highlighting the deep cultural heritage of the Ganado area and the Navajo people. She referenced historical figures like Ganado Mucho (known in Navajo as Totsohnii Hastin), a headman who advocated for the community, and his vision for local healthcare. “We have a rich culture,” Noble stated. “The people that come to see us here are not patients, they are relatives. When you see a relative, you treat them differently, like your own family.”
Noble thanked legislators for securing $3 million in state funding for SMH’s dialysis center, saying, “Thank you for passing the $3 million. We are ready to apply. This will help our dialysis center.” The funding, part of Senate Bill 1575 sponsored by Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (D-District 6) and signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in June 2025. It aims to address high rates of kidney disease in the Navajo Nation, where patients often travel up to 70 miles round trip three times a week for four-hour treatments.
House Democratic Leader Oscar DeLos Santos stated, “Honored that you have welcomed our caucus. We are proud to fight for the dialysis center and traditional healing.” He praised Rep. Peshlakai as “one of the strongest advocates… a true champion for this community.”
The core discussion was led by Policy Advisor Kim Russell who focused on SMH’s policy and budget priorities. Key challenges included limited behavioral health services, housing shortages affecting provider recruitment, workforce gaps, maternal health concerns, elder care needs, and interfacility transfer delays. Broader discussions warned of upcoming Medicaid cuts, with Democrats voicing opposition. The visit ended with a tour of the hospital and future dialysis center and reaffirmed the legislators’ commitment to improving healthcare access across the state.
GANADO, Ariz. – Sage Memorial Hospital is thrilled to announce its official accreditation by The Joint Commission for all services surveyed under the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Critical Access Hospitals. This recognition follows a successful extension survey conducted on June 10, 2025, and highlights the hospital’s commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality, safety, and patient care.
The accreditation, effective from March 8, 2023, and valid for up to 36 months, highlights Sage Memorial Hospital’s dedication to excellence in healthcare. As a critical access hospital serving the Navajo community and beyond, this achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of the entire team in upholding demanding standards that prioritize patient outcomes.
“This recognition reflects your incredible dedication to quality, safety, and excellence in patient care,” said Lori Livingston, Chief Quality Officer. “This accreditation not only validates our ongoing commitment to quality and safety but also reflects our staffs hard work and collaboration which made this possible—and it’s something we should all be proud of.”
The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, accredits and certifies thousands of healthcare organizations and programs across the United States. Its Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that inspires goodwill in patients and stakeholders alike. SMH’s accreditation demonstrates compliance with The Joint Commission’s performance standards, designed to help organizations improve healthcare delivery and patient safety.
For more information about Sage Memorial Hospital’s services, please visit www.sagememorial.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2025
GANADO, Ariz. – The Navajo Housing Authority (NHA) officially transferred two former nursing home facilities to Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) in a signing ceremony held on July 24 at the Ganado Nursing Home. Ernest Franklin, Chief Operations Officer for the Navajo Housing Authority, attended the event on behalf of NHA, joining SMH leaders in celebrating this special event.
The transfer was approved through Resolution NHA-5310-2025, approving a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to allow SMH to take ownership and management of the facilities formerly known as the Ganado Group Home, (7,809 sq. ft., 24-bed assisted living facility), and the Cornfields Group Home, (6,130 sq. ft., 16-bed assisted living facility). Both homes, vacant since 2020 and in need of repair due to environmental damage.
Melinda White, CEO of SMH, expressed her deep appreciation for the partnership. “We sincerely thank the Navajo Housing Authority and their board of commissioners for their partnership and trust in Sage Memorial Hospital,” said White. “This partnership allows us to expand essential healthcare services, particularly for our elders, ensuring they receive the quality care they deserve close to home.”
“Our commitment aligns with their [NHA] vision of ‘Providing a Stable Foundation for Families to Live, Grow and Walk in Beauty.’ Together, we can honor this mission by ensuring these facilities support the health and well-being of our community,” White added. “We are grateful for the NHA Board’s action and look forward to restoring these facilities to serve our communities for years to come.”
SMH board chair Dolores Noble shared heartfelt sentiments on behalf of the board and community, stating in Navajo, “Nihijéí tł’ááhdéͅéͅ’ ahéhee’. Nihee ‘ajooba binahjíͅ nihahastóí, nihizáanii ts’ída beełt’éego baa ‘ádhwiilyáͅą dooleeł. Háála bits’áͅáͅdóó dahosiidlíͅíͅ, nihíne’ dahazlíͅíͅ’.” She continued, “We want to express our sincere appreciation to the NHA, for giving us the means to provide a safe and supportive home for our elderly people allowing us to give back to those who once cared for us.”
As healthcare professionals and family members, it is our responsibility and honor to support our elderly relatives and continue to provide them with the loving environment they deserve – Relatives taking care of relatives, nIhik’éí bá, Nitsaago ahéhee’ Noble explained.
Chair Noble later reflected on the blessings the hospital has obtained including the soon to come labor and delivery services as well as the potential of the newly acquired facilities from NHA. “Just like the design of our Navajo basket we’ve woven a complete circle honoring the journey of life from birth to the care of our parents and grandparents —we have come full circle.”
Ernest Franklin, Chief Operations Officer for NHA, attended the signing ceremony and reflected on the significance of the project and its promising partnership with SMH. “The whole purpose of that relationship was to provide homes for the elderly, and especially for the elderlies in this community,” said Franklin. “Now that we have a relationship with Sage Memorial, I am looking forward to seeing this building facility come back to life, with giving people hope and joy and peace in their lives, as they go through their final stages in life – being there, and having their family with them.”
As part of its FY2025 strategic plan, SMH has committed a substantial investment to renovate and upgrade the two facilities. Restoration efforts are set to begin as soon as possible; to bring the facilities to full operational capacity and ensuring they meet all health and safety standards. The Ganado facility will be restored honoring its longstanding legacy of elder care, while the Cornfields facility is under consideration for expanded services, potentially including an outpatient clinic or a behavioral health unit.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Christian Bigwater
Director of Public Relations/Marketing
christian.bigwater@sagememorial.com
Office – (928) 755-4532
Cell – (928) 221-4205