Doctor Niles Oliver Ramstad (1875-1952) was a pioneering physician and surgeon who is best known for cofounding Q&R Clinic with Doctor Eric P. Quain, which is the second-oldest surviving clinic in the nation (behind Mayo) and today part of Sanford Health. From 1939-1949, Ramstad also served as chief of staff for Bismarck Hospital – a frequent partner with Q&R Clinic – and was a surgeon for competitor Saint Alexius from 1909 until retirement.
Ramstad was born in Meridian, Wisconsin on March 22, 1875 to John Olaf and Karen (Narveson) Ramstad. His father immigrated from Norway in 1868 and was a lumber mill contractor.
Ramstad graduated with a medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1899. He interned at Minneapolis’s Barnabas Hospital from 1899-1900 and practiced genal practice for a period of three months in Appleton, Minnesota before relocating to Bismarck. One story says Ramstad was invited to Bismarck through political connections of Alexander McKenzie to replace Swedish-born Doctor Quain purely for prejudice purposes. Instead, the pair partnered to establish Quain and Ramstad Clinic – later shortened to Q&R – in 1902.
retired in 1949
Personal Life
Ramstad married Edna Winchester, daughter of pioneering Judge Winchester. The couple had one daughter. Ramstad retired in 1949. He died on February 25, 1952.
