Our History

The Avera Cancer Institute opened in May of 1991 as the first freestanding, comprehensive cancer care center in the Sioux Falls region.

Its roots began with the first Home Hospice program in South Dakota. This program led to Avera McKennan opening an inpatient unit devoted to specialized cancer care in 1983. The program received "Approval as a Comprehensive Community Hospital Cancer Program" by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer in 1986.

This dedication to cancer care planted the seeds of expansion, leading to the creation of the Avera Cancer Institute on the Avera McKennan campus.

You can view a detailed, graphic timeline of the Avera Cancer Institute's history by choosing from the links below.

• JPEG image version of our history timeline (best for viewing on-screen)
• PDF version of our history timeline (best for printing)