Jason Caron has officially assumed the role of president and CEO of Sanford Bemidji, succeeding Karla Eischens, who announced her retirement in July 2025. Caron’s transition into this leadership position began in January 2026, following a critical six-month period that allowed him to prepare for the responsibilities ahead. Having worked in orthopedics at Sanford since 2008, Caron brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
During his tenure, Caron has held various leadership positions, including chair of the orthopedic department and chair of the Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota Board of Directors. He was also recognized as Sanford Health’s 2023 Clinician Leader of the Year. Reflecting on his journey, Caron expressed gratitude for Eischens’ mentorship and the influence she had on him throughout the transition.
Leadership Experience and Community Commitment
Caron noted that Eischens’ dedication to both the community and patient care has shaped his own approach to leadership. “Observing her over the years… her commitment to the community and her commitment to patients were her guiding lights,” he stated. This perspective will guide Caron as he leads Sanford Bemidji into the future.
His path to the presidency was not accidental. It involved discussions with Eischens and other leaders within the organization who recognized his potential. “It was a combination of working with Karla to gauge my interest… who felt like I would be an appropriate person for that,” Caron explained. This collaborative approach underscores the supportive culture at Sanford Bemidji.
Caron, a native of Bemidji, developed an early interest in the biological sciences. His curiosity was sparked during a senior year AP biology class, where he conducted experiments with fruit flies. This interest flourished at Concordia College, where he gravitated towards microbiology and related subjects, solidifying his desire to pursue a medical career.
While at Concordia, he captained the football team alongside a roommate who was on the pre-med track. This environment encouraged Caron to explore pre-med studies himself, ultimately leading him to the University of Minnesota for medical school and residency.
A Return to Roots and Global Outreach
Caron’s return to Bemidji was influenced by personal and professional factors, including the desire to raise his family—he and his wife, Angie, have seven children—and a recruitment drive for orthopedic surgeons at Sanford. “A combination of those things ultimately led me back to Bemidji,” he recalled. “It was a call back home.”
In addition to his leadership role at Sanford Bemidji, Caron has made significant contributions beyond the local community. He has participated in mission trips to Peru since 2006 through Scalpel at the Cross, a ministry focused on providing medical care to underserved populations. His mentor, Peter Cole, the orthopedic chair at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, invited him on his first trip, which has led to ongoing support for the region’s medical needs.
These mission trips often focus on critical orthopedic procedures, such as repairing broken bones and performing hip replacements. Caron’s experiences abroad have fostered connections with other orthopedic specialists, several of whom have joined the Sanford Bemidji team, including Cody Sessions, a colleague from Colorado.
With Caron now at the helm, Mitchell Wyffels has taken on the role of orthopedic department chair. Caron highlighted the significance of promoting from within, stating, “One of the great things about leadership is that, as you move to different levels of leadership, you promote somebody else into (your former role).” He expressed confidence in Wyffels’ leadership capabilities.
As he embarks on this new chapter, Caron remains eager to leverage his extensive experience and the support of his team. “I lead a team of incredible leaders to further the goals and strategy of the board at Sanford Health in northern Minnesota,” he concluded, “to improve health care and the health of our community.”
