A Ministry Rooted in the Gospel
At Avera, we are compelled by our mission and values:
- To respect the sacredness of every person uniquely created in the image of God.
- To serve and advocate for those whose social condition puts them at the margins of society.
- To work toward greater equity and justice for our patients, employees and communities.
God is the author of diversity and Jesus’ ministry reflected this. Avera exercises responsible stewardship of health care resources to promote health equity and the good of our communities.
Our Ministry
Response to Community Needs
Avera responds to current needs, through health care services and beyond, as reported in Avera’s Community Health Needs Assessments. Learn More
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Avera offers programs and initiatives to promote health equity and human flourishing among all persons with special attention to those whose social condition puts them at the margins of society and makes them particularly vulnerable to discrimination.
Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers (CHW) is a program funded by federal grant dollars. A CHW is a lay person who serves as a front-line public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has a unique understanding of the community served. The CHW serves as a liaison between health services and the community to facilitate access to health services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Avera participates at various sites and employs CHWs who speak more than 15 different languages.
Community Resource Center
In addition to placing CHWs in clinics and hospitals, Avera operates a neighborhood Community Resource Center in Sioux Falls, meeting people closer to where they are. This center is located near the Empower Campus at 102 N Krohn Pl, Suite 100, Sioux Falls, SD.
Community Outreach Consultants
Community Outreach Consultants have an outward-facing focus such as providing a connection to social services agencies, greeting new refugees, and making connections in the community, including a liaison to schools and youth sports.
Interpreter Services
Avera has a robust interpreter service to address language barriers that patients and their families might experience as they seek health care. Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls offers in-person certified medical interpreters in Spanish and several other languages. All sites offer audio/visual interpreter services that provide hundreds of languages. Interpreter service is also available to people who call the 24-hour Avera Medical Call Center at 877-282-8372.
Avera American Indian Health Initiative
The purpose of Avera’s Avera American Indian Health Initiative is to foster trust and relationships with American Indian communities through sharing knowledge, aligning best practices, and providing resources to improve health.
Community Partnerships
There are aspects of well-being that go beyond health care: healthy food, clean water, housing, personal safety, education, cultural expression and the arts. Avera partners with many nonprofit organizations that align with our mission and help us expand and enhance this mission beyond our facilities.
