Avera Queen of Peace Hospital

08/01/2025

Welcome to this sneak peek at the new Avera Therapy/Avera Sports location! We expect to start seeing patients in the space during the month of September - even though some areas will still be undergoing work.
Earlier this year, we announced a long-term lease agreement with Krohmer Plumbing for 27,615 square feet within the former Shopko building located at 1900 N. Main St. Therapy locations that will be moving into this new space are Avera Therapy on Kimball Street (AUPT), Avera Therapy on Havens Avenue (pediatric therapy), Avera Therapy on the Avera Grassland Health Campus and Avera Sports next to Kay Avenue.
We look forward to inviting the public to an open house to see the space for yourselves this fall!

07/18/2025

Lowering your cancer risk starts with small changes to your daily routine, including your activity and diet. Learn the adjustments you can make to reduce your risk by signing up for our email journey featuring cancer-fighting foods, tasty recipes, screening guidelines and more. Get started today at https://heyor.ca/jziMeS.

07/17/2025

Steve Epping is grateful for every day after his lung cancer was caught early. Doctors found a small tumor just one year after his first annual lung screening came back clear. Because of this early detection, Steve is now cancer-free. Learn why screenings like these are crucial for beating the disease and the advice Steve has for others in this week's Avera Medical Minute at https://heyor.ca/Lk6iUr.

07/16/2025

Cancer screening guidelines help women take control of their health by making sure they're taking the right tests at the right time. This early detection can save the life of you or a loved one. Learn which screenings you should talk to your provider about at https://heyor.ca/d38Wnv.

07/16/2025

Feeling guilty about calling in sick? You're not the only one. While a strong work ethic is admirable, so is protecting your coworkers from unwanted germs. Learn when it's okay to stay home and when you're safe to tough it out at https://heyor.ca/D94Mhk.

07/11/2025

We are spreading the word that healing starts with full stomachs. 🍎 This week, Avera's Wellness Pantry program expanded into several more clinics and appeared on the cover of this month's MED Magazine. The program provides local families with emergency food bags to help fight food insecurity in Parkston and Sioux Falls, SD.In collaboration with Feeding South Dakota, Avera Research Institute and Avera's Community Partnerships program, the pantries are funded by grant dollars from the federal Healthy Start grant to improve maternal and infant health.

07/11/2025

You'll be a big winner with this herbed roast chicken dinner! 🍗 This simple and savory recipe brings a boost of flavor with just a few fresh ingredients at https://heyor.ca/i1NjTt.

07/10/2025

Greg Horn has a grip on his carpal tunnel syndrome just two weeks after surgery. 🖐️ He's back to hands-on work after doctors found a treatment option that was perfect for him. Learn how personalized treatments are helping carpal tunnel sufferers bounce back faster than ever in this week's Avera Medical Minute at https://heyor.ca/huFyr9.

07/09/2025

When most people add a little green to their diet, it usually means a salad, but adding herbs to your meals can boost the flavor and health benefits.
🌱 Sage can improve your mood and memory.
🌱 Oregano can support healthy cholesterol levels.
🌱 Parsley can help protect against cancer and heart disease.
Learn the herbal options that can help your health and how to incorporate them into your menu at https://heyor.ca/JBppPN.

07/08/2025

Beating the heat and preventing injury is essential to keeping up with summer fun. ☀️ Milissa Podoll, the Trauma Coordinator at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, SD, shares tips for staying safe during a day in the sun and avoiding a trip to the ER at https://heyor.ca/ydsGwx.

07/04/2025

Independence Day or Fourth of July?
Congress originally called the holiday "Fourth of July," not Independence Day. That name stuck even though the U.S. actually voted for independence on July 2, 1776. We celebrate on the 4th because that's when the Declaration was ratified. No matter what you call it, take a moment to honor those who gave their life or put their life on the line to protect our freedom. Happy Independence Day!

07/03/2025

When Pat Lloyd faced the final chapter of her husband Craig's life, she turned to hospice care for comfort and guidance. With the help of a compassionate team, she and her family were able to focus on meaningful moments. Learn how hospice care helped bring dignity and support during a difficult time in this week's Avera Medical Minute at https://heyor.ca/3aMc0E.

07/02/2025

Cravings don't have to deter your nutrition goals. With the right tools, you can stay on track and still enjoy what you eat. Learn simple ways to curb those snack attacks and fuel your body with what it needs at https://heyor.ca/m6qk5n.

07/01/2025

Summer may be far from over, but it may be time to kick-start your child's training for fall sports. Derek Ferley, Director of Sports Science and Research at the Avera Human Performance Center, shares when is the right age to start sports training and how parents can get involved at https://heyor.ca/7qiaQ6.

06/27/2025

For those traveling to Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, we want you to be aware of a street closure that is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 30, to Thursday, July 3. Foster Street north of the crosswalk in front of the Physicians Plaza up to East 7th Avenue will be closed during that time. Visitors will still have access to all our parking lots.

06/20/2025

Please join us in congratulating Amanda Patzer, RN, on being the first recipient of our new quarterly nurse recognition program called the DAISY Award.
The DAISY Program honors and celebrates the skillful and compassionate care nurses provide every day. DAISY is an acronym for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” The DAISY Award has grown into a meaningful recognition program embraced by health care organizations around the world, including multiple Avera facilities.
Nurses at any Avera Queen of Peace facilities are eligible to receive the DAISY Award.
Patzer began working in the Women’s Center at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in May of 2015 and is also a certified lactation consultant.
The mother who nominated Patzer described her two deliveries with the nurse as “the best.”
“My first experience with her was in 2022,” the nomination stated. “After my delivery, I was having a ton of issues and was hemorrhaging pretty badly. Amanda stayed very positive and caring throughout my whole stay and even checked on me after I had left the hospital.
“When I came back (in 2024) for my second delivery, Amanda was my nurse again and she made me feel so special because she remembered and recognized me,” the former patient continued. “She helped me through a tough delivery again and stayed so positive and caring throughout the whole experience. She even got to see my first child again, and she had made a cute gift for him, too!”
She said that Patzer was not only compassionate but also made her feel safe when she was scared and worried.
“She showed me that, even though I was terrified, I can push through the pain and get to the other side of my delivery. Amanda is an amazing nurse, and I’m so blessed to have met her and experienced her care, love and devotion to being a nurse. Avera Queen of Peace is blessed to have her as one of their nurses caring for their patients.”
Patzer said her goal is to approach each work shift and each patient with kindness and a calming nature.
“I feel lucky to be a part of such a special time for families every time I come to work,” she said. “I do what I can to make the experience memorable for them.”
Patzer is humbled and honored to be a recipient of the Daisy Award.
“I love my job,” she continued. “The nurses, doctors and patients that I get to work with are the best. I don't think I would be recognized for my work if it wasn't for the team I'm surrounded by.”
Congratulations, Amanda - and thank you for all the support you provide patients at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital!

06/11/2025

Taking care of your wound is taking care of your health. For patients with wounds, the Avera Queen of Peace Wound Care and Hyperbaric Treatment Center is here to help! For more information, call (605) 995-2510.

06/07/2025

06/06/2025

With the return of the growing season, we are excited to announce the return of our "Garden Giving" program. It's a great way to connect produce you don't need with patients looking for healthy food options.
If you have questions about the program, reach out to Molly.Sutton@avera.org or call her at (605) 995-5773.

06/05/2025

With measles cases confirmed in South Dakota and surrounding states, we encourage you to understand what this highly infectious disease can mean for you and your loved ones:
• People who are not vaccinated are at highest risk of contracting measles.
• If someone has a known exposure to measles, or is experiencing any of the symptoms, please call the clinic or the ER and inform us before coming in so we can work with you to avoid exposing other patients and visitors.
Many of the common questions we receive about measles are answered at the link. Knowledge is power. Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about this growing concern.

05/26/2025

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. More than 1.3 million Americans paid the ultimate price to ensure that we can continue to pursue our unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We honor their memory with deep gratitude this Memorial Day.

05/20/2025

Due to weather conditions, this event has been postponed to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

05/19/2025

All are invited to join us for a Remembrance Ceremony in Patton Young Park at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.