Avera Sacred Heart Hospital

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.

09/05/2025

We are excited to share some huge news today about the future of health care in the Yankton area.
Avera and Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., (YMC) are pleased to announce a professional services agreement (PSA) between the two organizations that will initiate a strategic collaboration designed to enhance health care access and strengthen physician recruitment across the region. The PSA goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Over the past year, Avera and YMC explored ways to strengthen health care in the Yankton region, resulting in the PSA decision. This partnership allows YMC to remain an independent medical practice while also building increased collaboration with Avera that reflects a shared commitment to the communities both organizations serve to expand access to high-quality, specialized medical care close to home.
See the full details at the link.

Avera and Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., (YMC) are pleased to announce a professional services agreement (PSA) between the two organizations that will initiate a strategic collaboration.

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.

09/04/2025

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

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.

09/01/2025

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!

08/27/2025

Take a look at how work is progressing on the new Avera Cancer Institute located on the Avera Fox Run Health Campus. The tentative opening date is June 2026!
There are several ways you can help us with our vision to expand cancer services in Yankton and have them all in one location:
1) Participate in the Building Hope Here fundraising campaign - AveraFoundation.org/BuildingHopeHere
2) Buy tickets to or support the Grand Give Gala taking place Friday, Sept. 19 - https://donate.averafoundation.org/event/grand-give-2025/e690713
3) Take in some good food and music with our friends at Backroad Bar-B-Q, who are donating a portion of their funds every Wednesday night through Sept. 17 to the Avera Cancer Institute project.
Thank you all for your support!

08/27/2025

From unpredictable hours to financial pressures, life on the farm comes with challenges that can take a toll on mental health. Asking for help isn't always easy, but Avera's Farm and Rural Stress Hotline is available for support. Karl Oehlke, an Avera Behavioral Health physician assistant and a farmer, shares why many in agriculture hesitate to seek help and how this resource can make a difference at https://bit.ly/4mrZYPs.

08/18/2025

Thank you to the The Chopper Johnson Foundation for this amazing gift. It will help provide comprehensive cancer services in one location for patients in the Yankton area for decades to come! Thank you for supporting the Avera Foundation's "Building Hope Here" philanthropic campaign to bring this vision to life.

08/05/2025

Please join us in congratulating Carissa Hubbs, RN, on being the most recent recipient of our 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 Sacred Heart facilities are eligible to receive the DAISY Award.
Hubbs began working on the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Medical/Surgical Floor in 2014 and then took a position in the Women’s and Children’s Center in 2015. In this role, she cares for laboring patients, post-partum women, newborns and other pediatric patients.
Hubbs was the labor and delivery, as well as postpartum, nurse for the mother who nominated her. During a difficult birthing process that did not go as anticipated, “Carissa was just the extra support I needed at that time. … She was compassionate and understanding to my feelings and supportive in helping me accept the new plan of care. She did all of this while still making sure all of the necessary cares for the new plan of care were completed.”
After a c-section, Hubbs became the patient’s post-anesthesia care unit/postpartum nurse.
“She helped manage my post-surgery nausea, pain and dizziness,” the patient wrote. “I was anxiously waiting to feel better so I could see and finally snuggle my baby girl. Carissa helped get me feeling good enough for snuggles with my baby when I was told that Baby Girl was having a difficult time transitioning and was now requiring extra help in the special care nursery.”
Unfortunately, the baby required a higher level of care and had to be transferred to another location where she started having more complications. Though the mother was due to stay another night at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, it was decided she would be released early so she could attend to her baby.
“Carissa went above and beyond for all of my ever-changing needs for my entire length of stay,” the patient stated. “When everything kept going wrong, she was a constant support to me that gave me some calm amongst the chaos. The hugs and tears we shared at my abrupt discharge will forever be a part of my story.”
Congratulations, Carissa - and thank you for all the support you provide patients at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital!

08/01/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. We are proud of their achievements with us - and look forward to seeing what contributions they will make to patient care in the future!

07/30/2025

If you are looking for some good food and music - rain or shine - tonight, don't forget that our friends at Backroad Bar-B-Q are donating a portion of their funds every Wednesday night through Sept. 17 to the new Yankton Avera Cancer Institute project. Tonight, the featured musician is Jay Henseler, who was a long-time member of our patient care team and also happens to be an extraordinary musician.
We hope to see you there!

Tonight we are Kickin’ Cancer with Avera at Backroad Bar-B-Q!! Come enjoy our delicious Barbeque cuisine, meet some of the Avera family, enjoy some drinks and some music. We will have the co****le boards & bags out as well as the horseshoes. Visit with friends and family who have experienced cancer! Our Quarter rack of hearty ribs & 1side is $13.50. Our new rib melt sandwich on toasted sourdough & 1 side is $12.95! $6 Margaritas!!
We are donating 20% of our proceeds each Wednesday to assist with the new Avera Cancer Center.
Our musician tonight is Avera’s very own Jay Hensler who has also offered to donate his time & tips to support this worthy cause!!! He will play from 6:30-8:30 pm!
We open at 5 PM! Join us tonight at Backroad Bar-B-Q!!!

07/21/2025

We appreciate the generosity of Backroad Bar-B-Q for their support of the "Building Hope Here" campaign, which is raising funds for the new Avera Cancer Institute location on the Avera Fox Run Health Campus. What a fun - and delicious - opportunity to help build a one-stop home for comprehensive cancer services in Yankton! And we continue to be grateful to First Dakota National Bank of Yankton, which has offered $500,000 in matching funds for community fundraising. Money raised at Backroad Bar-B-Q will count toward that generous gift!

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.

07/16/2025

We're grateful to Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Department of Social Services for awarding $3.8 million in state general funds to construct a new 18-bed facility that will be used to serve women, including pregnant mothers and mothers with children, participating in residential substance use disorder (SUD) therapy. It will be located on the property now occupied by the vacant Star-Lite Inn across from the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital campus.
We're looking forward to sharing more and celebrating this announcement with the community at a later date. More to come!

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!