When Sandi Hoffman walks into the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) chamber room at JRMC, she won’t just see medical equipment—she’ll see pieces of her story on the walls. The murals in this space showcase breathtaking North Dakota landscapes captured by her husband, Bob Hoffman. They remind Sandi of the beauty of home and the resilience that’s carried her through a challenging journey.
Married for 40 years, Sandi and Bob are from New Rockford, North Dakota, they own Country Candids, a photography business specializing in North Dakota countryside imagery. Bob bought his first camera in 1975 and turned his love into a business in 2010, traveling to Pride of Dakota events across the state, sharing their passion.
Sandi’s journey with the JRMC Wound & Hyperbaric Center began nearly a year ago. Living with a vascular disease that causes significant wounds and slows healing, she came to the clinic after a fall left her with a wound on her left foot. At that time, her foot was on the verge of amputation. “I have had some difficult wounds,” Sandi admits, “but the clinic has been nothing but great to me. We have a very good wound center.”
JRMC Nurse Practitioner, Holli Marquart adds, “Sandi is an excellent patient. And Bob is extremely helpful caring for her wounds. At our clinic we often say that it is not only the wound team that heals a wound; patient and family assistance is key.”
Since the Wound Center was established in 2014, JRMC has served nearly 1,500 patients. Since the addition of the Hyperbaric Center in 2016, JRMC has treated 54 patients with complex wounds from across North Dakota in its HBO chamber, a total of 1,861 treatments.
Over the past 49 weeks, Sandi has undergone a variety of treatments, including debridement, toe amputation, IV antibiotics, placental stem cell therapy and a wound vacuum. Though the journey has had its challenges, each step has moved her closer to recovery. As she considers whether HBO therapy might be part of her next steps, the treatment room stands ready — decorated with the Hoffmans’ photography, offering comfort and inspiration to all who visit.
When JRMC staff envisioned ways to bring comfort to patients using the HBO chamber, they wanted to celebrate North Dakota’s heritage while enhancing the patient experience. The Hoffmans were eager to help. “We wanted to do something for JRMC,” Bob says. “We want to give back for all that they’ve done for Sandi.” The couple donated several images from their collection, along with a financial contribution to bring the project to life.
For patients like Sandi, HBO treatments can be an important part of the healing process, though they are often long and tedious. The murals offer a window into the state’s serene beauty, providing moments of peace during an otherwise challenging process. For the Hoffmans, the project was an opportunity to share their gratitude and ensure future patients find comfort during their own healing journeys.
If Sandi begins her HBO treatments, she will be surrounded by reminders of the home she loves and the community that stands with her. The wound center’s commitment to exceptional care and innovation, combined with the Hoffmans’ generosity, highlights how healing and hope thrive when a community comes together.
As seen in the Spring 2025 AppleSeeds
