Avera Health

Avera Health is a major nonprofit Catholic health system serving a five-state region in the Midwestern United States. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, it operates a comprehensive network of hospitals, clinics, and other care facilities. The system is a ministry of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a member of the Catholic Health Association.

History

The system's origins trace back to 1897 with the arrival of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where they established Presentation Hospital. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Benedictine Sisters founded Sacred Heart Hospital in 1899. These two religious congregations and their respective health ministries eventually consolidated. A significant merger occurred in 2000 when the Sioux Valley Health System and the Presentation Sisters health ministries joined, forming the core of the present-day system. The name "Avera" was adopted, derived from the Latin word "a veritate," meaning "of truth." Subsequent expansions included affiliations with facilities like St. Luke's in Sioux City, Iowa, and the Marshall Regional Medical Center in Minnesota.

Facilities and services

Avera Health operates more than 300 locations, including over 30 hospitals and numerous primary and specialty care clinics. Its flagship facility is the Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which serves as a major teaching hospital and tertiary referral center. The system provides a wide spectrum of services, from routine primary care to advanced specialties such as the Avera Cancer Institute, Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota, and Avera Behavioral Health Center. It features a highly developed telemedicine network, Avera eCare, which connects specialists to patients and providers across rural communities. Other key services include long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospice care, and research initiatives conducted through the Avera Research Institute.

Affiliations and partnerships

Avera Health maintains key academic and clinical partnerships to enhance its services. It has a longstanding educational affiliation with the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, training medical students and residents. The system is also a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, allowing its physicians to consult with specialists at the Mayo Clinic. In the realm of health insurance, it partners with Sanford Health Plan and other payers. Avera collaborates with various critical access hospitals and independent clinics across its region through management agreements and its telehealth services. Furthermore, it participates in national quality initiatives with organizations like the American Heart Association and the National Cancer Institute.

Recognition and awards

The system has received numerous accolades for quality and innovation. Multiple Avera hospitals have been recognized by the Leapfrog Group with top safety grades and by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet designation for nursing excellence. The Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota has been rated high-performing by U.S. News & World Report. The Avera eCare telemedicine program has won national awards for its impact on rural health, including recognition from the American Hospital Association. Several facilities within the network have also received awards from the American Stroke Association and the Joint Commission.

See also

* Sanford Health * Catholic Health Initiatives * Rural health care in the United States * Telemedicine in the United States * List of hospital networks in the United States

Category:Hospital networks in the United States Category:Healthcare in South Dakota Category:Catholic healthcare in the United States Category:Organizations based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Category:1897 establishments in South Dakota