Innovation & Research

A breakthrough. A change. An idea. It all falls under the definition of “innovation.” At Avera, we look toward innovation and research to stay ahead of the curve in light of a changing environment, and changing consumer demands. We invest in it because innovation has the power to help us provide better care to more people.

Innovation happens at all levels of Avera. It can be a new product, like AveraNow – a face-to-face virtual visit that allows you to see an Avera provider, any time, 24/7. It can be a new way of doing things – like new patient care processes in the emergency department to shorten wait times. Innovation can spring from formalized research studies, or from great ideas. It can mean finding ways to do more with limited resources.

It’s exciting when innovation in health care impacts lives for the better. Several great examples of innovation at Avera include:

Avera eCARE™ Telemedicine

As the world’s most robust telemedicine network, Avera eCARE improves access to health care by extending specialty care through interactive video and computer technology. A key advantage is allowing people to receive care in or near their home community, rather than having to travel for hospital care or doctor visits. Through Avera eCARE, we’re saving health care costs, saving miles traveled and most importantly, we’re saving lives.

Personalized Medicine through Genetics & Genomics

Avera realizes that the future of medicine is in the fields of genetics and genomics. While genetics is the study of heredity and the function of single genes, genomics looks at the entirety of a person’s DNA. We’re using these emerging sciences to match the right treatments to the right patients, based on their DNA.

Also known as personalized medicine, this is happening today in areas such as pain management, behavioral health, primary care, internal medicine and cancer care. In the future, it’ll expand to more specialties, and will not only involve treatment of disease, but prevention of disease.

GeneFolio

Avera is the first in the region to offer GeneFolio, a simple yet innovative test that uses your DNA to predict which medications match your body’s unique makeup for the best treatment and the best results. Ask your primary care provider if GeneFolio is right for you.

Research at Avera

Research at Avera covers a wide spectrum from applied research to participation in cardiovascular and cancer clinical trials. Learn more about research opportunities for patients – that may benefit your own health or the health of a loved one – and research opportunities for professionals.

Avera Twin Register

The Avera Institute for Human Genetics is home to the first and only twin register in South Dakota. Twin research is the most powerful way to learn how much of a certain trait is related to genetics and how much is related to environment. Learn more and join the Avera Twin Register.

Pediatric & Community Research

The Avera Research Institute Center for Pediatric & Community Research team is dedicated to improving population health through increased understanding of the role and effect of early environmental exposures on child health and development. Learn more about their research on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), safe sleep environments and more.