About Avera St. Luke's Hospital
Contact Us
We are committed to meeting the health care needs of the residents of northeastern South Dakota and southeastern North Dakota.
Phone:
605-622-5000
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was established in 1901 in Aberdeen, SD, as a 15-bed hospital by the Presentation Sisters. We have grown into a regional medical center that offers a comprehensive array of medical and health services to people living in the Aberdeen region.
Our Locations
In addition to our 133-bed hospital, we provide services through:
Our Employees
Avera St. Luke's employs more than 1,500 employees in our hospital, long-term care, and clinic divisions. A medical/dental staff of more than 80 local physicians represents 34 different specialties for the area's citizens. Nearly 250 volunteers, who help in many ways, are an integral part of the success of the medical center.
Letter from the CEO
We Welcome You to Avera St. Luke's
Thank you for visiting our website. All of us at Avera St. Luke’s are committed to being a source of knowledge and support for your health care needs. We are proud of the experienced and well-qualified people on our staff who offer a variety of services, allowing residents from our region to stay close to home when medical services are needed.
Not only do we care for you in times of illness, but we also consider it our role to emphasize wellness and prevention through our education classes, screenings, and community health forums.
Please browse our website. We hope you will find the information and help you need for a healthier life for you and your family.
Todd Forkel
President and CEO
Our History
It was a diphtheria epidemic at the turn of the century in Aberdeen, South Dakota, that led to the beginning of what is now called Avera St. Luke's Hospital.
Click here to read the full history.
The Hospital
The Hospital
Avera St. Luke's Hospital is the pioneer facility of Avera, the health ministry of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters. Avera is a regional partnership of health professionals who share support services to maintain excellent care at more than 300 locations in eastern South Dakota and surrounding states.
Established in 1901 in Aberdeen, SD, as a 15-bed hospital, Avera St. Luke's has grown into a regional medical center offering a comprehensive array of medical and health services to people living in the Aberdeen region. In addition to the 133-bed hospital, we provide long-term care services through Avera Mother Joseph Manor Retirement Community and Avera Eureka Health Care Center, and feature FastCare, primary and specialty clinics through our clinic division.
Our Mission
Avera is a health ministry rooted in the Gospel. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.
Our Vision
Avera St. Luke's will be an exceptional health care organization for patients to receive care, physicians to practice and employees to work.
Leadership at Avera St. Luke's
We are fortunate to have excellent leadership at Avera St. Luke's, both in administrative staff and the volunteer governing bodies that help guide the direction of our facilities. These people are currently providing leadership toward our health care mission:
Administration
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Todd Forkel, President and CEO
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K.C. DeBoer, Vice President of Hospital Division
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Dr. John Fritz, Vice President of Medical Affairs
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Mary Davis, Vice President of Human Resources
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Elizabeth “Lizzie” Guiliani, Vice President of Mission
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Geoff Durst, Vice President of Finance
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Tom Snyder, Vice President of Long-Term Care
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Lee Karels, Vice President of Clinic Division and Outreach Services
Board of Directors
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Stuart Lonning, Chairman
- Sister Kathleen Bierne
- Judy Bledsoe
- Tage Born, MD
- Michael Evans
- Deb Knecht
- Josh Kraft
- Sister Denette Leifeld
- Thomas Luzier, MD
- Bob Olson
- Sister Mary Kay Panowicz
- Stephen Peters, MD
- Gary Sharp
- Sister JoAnn Sturzl
- Richard Westra
- Todd Forkel
