Avera Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of its Health Ministry
In 2025, Avera is celebrating its 25th year as a health system and over 125 years of providing health services across the Upper Midwest.
Members of the Benedictine Sisters and Presentation Sisters arrived from Europe in Dakota Territory in the 1880s on a missionary journey of education and then health care, responding to needs including diphtheria and influenza epidemics. Early hospitals founded by the Sisters included Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton in 1897, St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen in 1901, St. Joseph Hospital (later Queen of Peace) in Mitchell in 1906, and McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls in 1911.
The Benedictine and Presentation Sisters each formed systems of hospitals and nursing homes. In the late 1990s, they began considering how their systems could come together for the benefit of all, resulting in a unique co-sponsorship model.
On Sept. 1, 2000, it became official; the documents were signed and a celebration was held to commemorate this official beginning of Avera.
The Benedictine Sisters brought soil from the property of Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, and the Presentation Sisters brought soil from Presentation Convent in Aberdeen. They potted a plant in this mixed soil – a plant that was placed in the front lobby of the Avera Central Office, newly constructed in 2000. The Sisters also lit candles and baked braided bread to celebrate their unity under one mission: to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.
Avera began as a collaboration of 127 locations including hospitals, long-term care centers, senior living communities and clinics in 46 communities. Today, Avera employs 22,600 at 315 locations in 100 communities, serving a population of 1 million.
Avera has evolved into a fully integrated continuum of care that includes hospitals, clinics, long-term care centers, retirement communities, home care, hospice, sports and fitness centers, home medical equipment outlets, health insurance and more.
“Like the courage of the Sisters who arrived in Dakota Territory in the 1880s, the Sisters were very courageous at the time of the formation of Avera, willing to lay aside any differences for the greater good as they trusted in God’s leading,” said James Dover, FACHE, President and CEO of Avera Health.
While devoted to their Catholic faith, the Sisters recognized that Avera was comprised of people from many faith backgrounds. So they made it a central point that Avera is “rooted in the Gospel,” living by Gospel values of compassion, hospitality and stewardship. “The mission to make a positive impact in the lives of persons and communities is one everyone can have ownership of,” Dover said.
“I don't think Avera would be who it is and where it is today without faith. Faith of our founding Sisters, faith of the people who minister with us, the faith of the people to whom we minister – it's all faith-based,” said Sr. Debra Kolecka, OSB, sponsor member and vice chair of Caring for Life Catholic Health Ministries.
“We're gifted to have so many people working with us,” said Sr. Lucille Welbig, PBVM, sponsor member and chair of Caring for Life Catholic Health Ministries. “As we continue to grow and as facilities join us, they see that we’re here to care about the patients, the residents and the employees. We’re here to build a team together. It’s really a blessing that we are one Avera.”
