Sage Memorial Hospital Releases FY2025 Annual Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2026

Transformative Year Marked by New Facility Opening, Prestigious Awards,
and Significant Growth in Patient Services

GANADO, Ariz. – Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH), today announced the release of its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report. Titled “Honoring Our Legacy: Journey to Diné Excellence,” the report details a year of remarkable achievements, including the opening of a new state-of-the-art hospital, national recognition for innovative financing, and substantial growth in patient volumes.

The report highlights the completion and launch of SMH’s $177 million, 140,296-square-foot facility in August 2024, which more than doubled capacity and introduced advanced services such as a 24/7 Emergency Department, inpatient beds, ICU, labor and delivery rooms, and expanded outpatient clinics including dental, optometry, and rehabilitative services. This expansion has enabled more community members to receive care closer to home, reducing the need for transfers to distant facilities.

“SMH has accomplished so much in the past three years, and we are entering another exciting fiscal year of growth and transformation,” said Melinda White, CEO of Sage Memorial Hospital. “This growth reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the communities we serve.”

Key accomplishments outlined in the report include:

• Patient Volume Growth: SMH saw strong increases across services, with Behavioral Health rising 84.8%, Inpatient Admissions up 74.1%, Emergency Room visits increasing 19.6%, Dental Clinic growing 17.4%, Rehabilitative Services up 14.0%, Optometry Clinic expanding 7.9%, Outpatient Clinics increasing 5.2%, and Respiratory Therapy rising 1.6%.
• Awards and Recognitions: SMH received the AzHHA Quality Award, Arizona’s Community Star designation by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Best Projects Award in Health Care from Engineering News-Record Southwest, and The Bond Buyer’s national Deal of the Year award for its innovative $80 million tax-exempt bond issuance.
• Community and Operational Highlights: The year featured numerous community events, such as wellness runs, cooking classes, vaccine clinics, and youth activities. SMH achieved Joint Commission accreditation and secured a $3 million state grant for an Outpatient Dialysis Center.  

• Financial Performance: Cash collections reached $44.4 million, averaging $3.7 million per month—23% above targets. The balance sheet shows total assets of approximately $284 million (unaudited), exhibiting sound financial footing and growth.
• Strategic Priorities for FY2026: Plans include launching Surgical Services, Labor & Delivery, Non-Emergent Medical Transport, Outpatient Dialysis, and Elder Care Services, alongside infrastructure projects like employee housing and wellness expansions.

“As Chair of the Board of Directors for the Navajo Health Foundation – Sage Memorial Hospital, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I reflect on Fiscal Year 2025—a truly transformative period in our hospital’s long history of service to the Diné people and surrounding communities,” said Delores Noble, Board Chair. ” As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding access to quality healthcare, honoring K’é (kinship), and ensuring the sacredness of life for generations to come.”

The full FY2025 Annual Report is available for download at https://sageme.me/4qsEpQ4 and provides in-depth insights into SMH’s operations, challenges, and vision for the future.

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