Avera St. Luke's Hospital

09/23/2025

09/20/2025

Go Wolves! 🐺💚

09/18/2025

While most of us sleep, a dedicated team is wide awake—protecting your next breath. 🙌 Thank you, Respiratory Therapists and Sleep Technologists! You are the heroes who make every breath (and every night’s sleep) count.

These specialists play a vital role in both emergencies and everyday wellness.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs), your breath specialists 💨
✅ Provide lifesaving care for our inpatients in areas such as ED and ICU
✅ Perform outpatient Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to check lung health
✅ Conduct EEGs to evaluate brain activity
✅ Lead Pulmonary Rehab Classes for better breathing
✅ Run 6-Minute Walk Tests to check oxygen needs & endurance
💙 When every second—and every breath—matters, RTs are there.

Sleep Technologists (SLs), your guardians of rest 🛌
✅ Operate our four bed sleep lab
✅ Provide at-home sleep test kits for convenience
✅ Diagnose conditions like Sleep Apnea, helping you wake up refreshed
💤 Better sleep = better health. SLs make it possible.

✨ Together, this team is changing lives—one breath, one night of rest, at a time. ✨

09/16/2025

With more students commuting to and from school, you may be seeing more e-bikes and e-scooters on the sidewalks. These electric options are convenient but can lead to some dangerous injuries if riders are not protected. Dr. Ben Christians, an Avera emergency medicine physician, explains how e-riders and pedestrians can stay safe at https://bit.ly/4mfxPdH.

09/12/2025

Your immune system is your first line of defense from viruses and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to ward off sickness. 💉 Dr. David Basel, Vice President of Clinical Quality and Population Health Officer, explains why getting vaccinated is important to protect yourself and your entire community.

09/11/2025

Diane Banck is cancer free after recently undergoing CAR-T-cell therapy, following an initial cancer diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. The therapy uses a patient's own cells to find and fight cancer. Learn the science behind this innovative treatment and how it's benefitting patients in this week's Avera Medical Minute at https://bit.ly/45Z0RcH.

09/10/2025

In a relationship or a marriage, improving communication is an opportunity to grow closer. A little effort can improve your connection as a couple. Learn five ways to communicate better with your significant other at https://bit.ly/4ntb72L.

Effective communication is key to feeling connected to your partner. Follow these research-based tips for communication that doesn’t lead to an argument.

09/10/2025

During National Su***de Prevention Month, Avera is encouraging honest conversations by asking someone struggling with their mental health: "Are you thinking about su***de?" This year's campaign focuses on all ages, while also putting a special focus on veterans in our community. Learn more about this year's campaign and tools to help prevent su***de at www.Avera.org/AskTheQuestion.

09/09/2025

Did you know that your food choices can impact your mental health? Amber Lehman Myers, an Avera Behavioral Health outpatient therapist, explains the diet/brain connection and what your eating habits can tell you about your mental well-being at https://bit.ly/4m6OxvG.

09/08/2025

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden proclaimed this week, Sept. 8-12, Malnutrition Awareness Week.

On average, one in three hospitalized patients experiences malnutrition. Identifying these patients and implementing appropriate nutrition interventions are important steps in helping our patients recover and return to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

Registered Dietitians work collaboratively with the care team to provide recommendations, patient education, and implement nutrition support - such as tube feedings or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) - when medically necessary. Each of them are passionate about individualizing nutrition care to meet each patient’s specific needs, and it is very rewarding to see patients improve.

09/06/2025

We're all set up at this year's Out of the Darkness Walk. Come join us for this important cause! Doors open at the Oddee Ice Center at 9 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 10 a.m.

09/05/2025

Is your child ready to stay home alone? Every kid reaches this milestone at their own pace. Learn what you should consider when deciding whether or not to leave them alone and how to know if they're ready at https://bit.ly/4mQx9fU.

09/05/2025

July was a booming month for babies at Avera St. Luke's! 🍼 Avera St. Luke's had 41 deliveries in July, which is the highest number in one month since April 2021. Congratulations to the Labor & Delivery team!

09/04/2025

Su***de Prevention and Awareness Month in September reminds us that mental health challenges come in many forms. 💚 Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or know someone who is struggling, this video is for those moments when you or a loved one just need a moment to breathe. Save it, share it and let's keep breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and su***de. Learn more at Avera.org/AskTheQuestion.

09/04/2025

In conjunction with Avera’s Founders Day celebration each September, we take time to honor those who have dedicated 25 years of service to our health ministry. These individuals are recognized as Avera Legacy Ambassadors. This year’s recognition is especially meaningful, as it coincides with Avera’s 25th anniversary as a health system.

This morning, Avera St. Luke's honored 26 employees that hit their 25-year milestone in 2025. Congratulations - and thank you all for your commitment to Avera's mission!

09/04/2025

Graham Nickles and Evans Nord's friendship started at the beginning... their beginning, that is. Their families met in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, where they became next-door neighbors and each other's support system. That bond grew into a lasting friendship. Learn about Graham and Evans' journey and how their parents are now giving back in this week's Avera Medical Minute at https://bit.ly/3UYZkNm.

09/03/2025

With school back in session, kids can feel the pressure just as much as adults. Mindfulness and meditation offer simple ways to release stress, refocus and boost overall well-being. Learn techniques to help your child find balance at https://bit.ly/3VsiwTJ.

Meditation or mindfulness can be helpful for anyone to calm down or relax. That includes kids. An Avera expert discusses how to start.

09/02/2025

Pain from a stress fracture is often brushed off as a simple muscle strain, but ignoring it can bench you or your loved one from your favorite activities. Dr. Katrina Almeida, an Avera Orthopedics podiatrist in Mitchell, explains when to talk to your doctor and when you'll be back in the game at https://bit.ly/4g0B0Eo.

09/02/2025

At Avera, it's more than just bricks and beams — it's tradition, purpose, and faith built into every wall.

As part of our unique culture, we celebrate new beginnings by signing the walls of our construction projects with well wishes, prayers, and Bible verses. 💚✍️

These messages of hope, healing, and inspiration become a lasting part of the foundation — a quiet but powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to care for others in body, mind and spirit.

09/01/2025

At Avera, Sept. 1 is a time to honor the strong values handed down to us from our Founders, the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters. This year carries special meaning as we mark 25 years since the Benedictine Health System and Presentation Health System came together as one ministry in 2000. The sisters express their heartfelt gratitude for the work each member of our team does to carry the Avera mission forward and make a difference in the lives of those we serve in the video below. Happy Founders Day!