Good Samaritan Society

The Nation's Largest Not-for-Profit Senior Care Provider

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is a faith-based, not-for-profit senior care organization headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, providing active adult living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care/skilled nursing, home care, home health care, hospice, life plan community/CCRC living, respite care, and low-income/affordable housing across Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Founded in 1922 by Rev. August “Dad” Hoeger, Good Samaritan Society has grown over more than a century into the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services. Since 2019, Good Samaritan Society has been part of Sanford Health, one of the largest rural health systems in the country, while continuing to operate under its own name and mission.

Visit the official Good Samaritan Society website to learn more about the organization's communities and services.

Company at a Glance

●       Headquarters: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

●       Founded: 1922 (incorporated September 29, 1922, under North Dakota law), by Rev. August “Dad” Hoeger; its first center opened in Arthur, North Dakota, in March 1923

●       Current leadership: Nate Schema, President and Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Society

●       Approximate portfolio size: 180 communities

●       States served: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin

●       Care and lifestyle options: Active adult living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care/skilled nursing, home care, home health care, hospice, life plan community/CCRC, respite care, and low-income/affordable housing

●       Ownership: Non-profit; part of Sanford Health since a 2019 merger, while retaining its own name, brand, and mission

●       Official website: good-sam.com

Senior Living and Care Options

Good Samaritan Society's communities span a full range of lifestyle and care levels, though not every location offers every option. Depending on the community, options may include:

●       Active adult and independent living

●       Assisted living

●       Memory care

●       Long-term care and skilled nursing

●       Home care and home health care

●       Hospice

●       Life plan community/CCRC living

●       Respite care and low-income/affordable housing

Families should confirm current care levels and availability directly with the specific community. Families can also review independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing options near them on Senior Care Finder.

What Makes Good Samaritan Society Different?

The Nation's Largest Not-for-Profit Senior Care Provider

With more than a century of history dating to 1922, Good Samaritan Society has grown into the largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services in the United States, built on a founding mission to extend care to people with disabilities and, soon after, older adults in need.

Part of an Integrated Health System

Good Samaritan Society formally merged with Sanford Health on January 1, 2019, combining senior care services with one of the nation's largest rural health systems, including hospitals, clinics, and health insurance. Good Samaritan Society continues to operate under its own name, since Sanford Health has said the Good Samaritan brand “has enormous value in post-acute and senior care.” Learn more from independent coverage in Healthcare Dive.

Major New Investment in Full-Continuum Care

Good Samaritan Society and Sanford Health are developing Good Samaritan Society – Founder's Crossing, a new full-continuum senior living campus in Sioux Falls named in honor of the organization's 1922 founding. The campus is planned to eventually include independent living apartments and villas, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and an on-site Sanford Health clinic, with its first phase expected to open in 2026. Learn more from the official Founder's Crossing project page.

A Systemwide Quality and Safety Initiative

Sanford Accountability For Excellence (SAFE) is a systemwide initiative used across Good Samaritan Society communities, focused on clinical quality, resident safety, employee engagement, and clinician well-being, including mock surveys and structured staff training.

A Strong Presence in Rural America

More than 70% of Good Samaritan Society residents live in rural areas, and the organization has emphasized its role in providing access to senior care close to home in communities that might otherwise have limited options.

Signature Programs and Services

Sanford Accountability For Excellence (SAFE) is Good Samaritan Society's systemwide quality and safety initiative, addressing clinical quality, resident safety, employee engagement, and clinician well-being. The organization also recognizes team members annually through its Ever Forward Leader Champion program. Availability and specific implementation of these programs may vary by community; families should ask a specific location for details.

Life at a Good Samaritan Society Community

Because Good Samaritan Society's portfolio spans hundreds of communities of varying sizes and ages, day-to-day life differs by location. Depending on the community, residents may find:

●       Life enrichment and activity programming

●       On-site rehabilitation therapy services

●       Access to Sanford Health clinical resources in some markets

●       Faith-based programming reflecting the organization's Lutheran heritage, while welcoming residents of all backgrounds

Because Good Samaritan Society's communities vary widely in age, size, and specific offerings, families are strongly encouraged to tour the specific community they are considering and confirm current care levels, staffing, and amenities directly.

What Residents and Families Say

Ratings for individual Good Samaritan Society communities on Senior Care Finder vary by location: Good Samaritan - Heritage Place of Roseville shows 4.5 out of 5, Good Samaritan - Hastings Village Senior Living and Good Samaritan Society - Davenport each show 4.4, Good Samaritan - Grand Island Village shows 4.1, and Good Samaritan - Estes Park Village shows 3.7. Given the size of Good Samaritan Society's portfolio, hundreds of individual communities each carry their own independent ratings and review history. Families should review ratings and comments for the exact community they are considering rather than assuming a uniform experience across the organization.

Leadership

Nate Schema is President and Chief Executive Officer of Good Samaritan Society, leading the organization's senior care operations within the broader Sanford Health system. He has represented Good Samaritan Society in national forums, including panel discussions at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) executive conference.

Visit the official Good Samaritan Society website for current organizational and leadership information.

Recent News, Growth, and Recognition

Construction Underway on Founder's Crossing Full-Continuum Campus

Good Samaritan Society and Sanford Health have broken ground on Good Samaritan Society – Founder's Crossing, a new full-continuum senior living campus in Sioux Falls expected to eventually house roughly 500 residents and employ 200 people, with its first phase opening in 2026.

Read the company's announcement.

Good Samaritan Leaders Named 2026 McKnight's Women of Distinction

Two Good Samaritan Society community administrators, Amanda Kerr and Kelsey Bundy, were named 2026 McKnight's Women of Distinction Award winners in the Rising Stars category, an independent, nationally judged recognition program honoring standouts in skilled nursing, senior living, and home care.

Read the company's announcement.

Sanford Health Earns Second Platinum Bell Seal Award

In 2026, the Sanford Health system, which includes Good Samaritan Society, earned its second Platinum Bell Seal award from Mental Health America, an independent national recognition for workplace mental health support.

Good Samaritan Expands Senior Services in Rapid City

Good Samaritan Society added Unity Place at Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village in Rapid City, South Dakota, including 22 assisted living units and 10 memory care assisted living units, expanding access to senior care in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Good Samaritan Society? Good Samaritan Society is a faith-based, not-for-profit senior care organization headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services.

Where is Good Samaritan Society headquartered? Good Samaritan Society is headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Who owns or operates Good Samaritan Society? Good Samaritan Society has been part of Sanford Health, one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S., since a 2019 merger, while continuing to operate under its own name, led by President and CEO Nate Schema.

How many communities does Good Samaritan Society operate? Senior Care Finder's listing shows 180 communities across 13 states. 

When was Good Samaritan Society founded? Good Samaritan Society was founded in 1922 by Rev. August “Dad” Hoeger, with its first center opening in Arthur, North Dakota, in 1923.

What care options does Good Samaritan Society offer? Depending on the community, Good Samaritan Society offers active adult living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, home care, home health care, hospice, life plan/CCRC living, and affordable housing.

Is Good Samaritan Society affiliated with a specific religious denomination? Good Samaritan Society was founded with Lutheran roots and maintains an affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, though its communities welcome residents of all faiths.

Does Good Samaritan Society primarily serve rural communities? Yes. More than 70% of Good Samaritan Society residents live in rural areas, reflecting the organization's historic focus on providing care close to home in smaller communities.

Has Good Samaritan Society received independent recognition? Yes. In 2026, Good Samaritan Society leaders were named McKnight's Women of Distinction Award winners, and the broader Sanford Health system earned a second Platinum Bell Seal award from Mental Health America.

What do reviews say about Good Samaritan Society's communities? Ratings vary by community, generally ranging from 3.7 to 4.5 out of 5 on Senior Care Finder. Families should review ratings and comments for the specific community they are considering.

How can someone find a Good Samaritan Society community or schedule a tour? Families can search Good Samaritan Society communities on Senior Care Finder or contact a specific property directly through its Senior Care Finder listing to ask about availability and schedule a tour.

Explore Good Samaritan Society Communities

Choosing a senior living or care community is a personal decision shaped by care needs, location, and budget. View Good Samaritan Society communities on Senior Care Finder to compare individual locations, care options, and reviews.

Because Good Samaritan Society's portfolio is large and includes communities of varying ages and care levels, families are encouraged to compare several options, confirm current details directly, and visit in person before making a final decision.

Good Samaritan Society is a paid Senior Care Finder partner. Partner status does not replace the need for families to independently evaluate individual communities, services, pricing, licensing information, and recent reviews.

Company information, leadership details, programs, recognition, and news were reviewed using publicly available sources. Information last reviewed July 2026.