A happy family stretching together in their cozy living room.

Primary Care

Rely on a dedicated primary care doctor at Avera to care for you and your family. Come see us for all types of health-related situations or follow-up appointments.

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Your Trusted Family Health Care Provider

Your primary care provider is your family doctor who you can trust to deliver health care in your community — where and when you need them. From yearly checkups and well-child care visits to chronic disease management and health concerns, rely on them to listen carefully to you and administer screenings as needed. Seeing your doctor regularly makes it more likely to catch a health issue and treat it early on before it gets worse.

Have a child and not sure if a pediatrician or family medicine provider is best? Both are great options based on providers located in your area and how you get to know your child's provider.

Primary Care Definitions

  • Family medicine physician (also referred to as primary care provider): Doctors who care for people ranging from young children through older adults and including pregnant women. But you don’t need to be part of a family to see these providers.
  • Internal medicine physician: Primary care providers who focus on adult wellness and preventive care, as well as disease management.
  • Gynecologist: These physicians are specialists in women’s health (gynecologic and obstetrical care), and can also see women for yearly OB/GYN visits and other primary care needs.
  • Certified nurse midwife: Advanced practice provider who delivers prenatal, birthing and well-woman care for women of any age or stage of life.
  • Nurse practitioner: Registered nurse who goes on to complete more education at the master’s or doctoral levels. Their credentials may include CNP (certified nurse practitioner), DNP (doctor of nursing practice), ARNP (advanced registered nurse practitioner) or FNP (family nurse practitioner).
  • Physician assistant: Advanced practice provider who is trained at the master’s level through a PA program that is typically three years in length. PA-C (physician-assistant certified) is a common credential.
  • Pediatrician: Doctors who specialize in caring for children, including patients who range from newborn to teenage years.
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Primary Care Services

Choose Avera for a wide range of primary care and preventive health services.

  • Allergy injections
  • Yearly checkups and yearly wellness visits
  • Children’s health and pediatric care
  • Drug screening and substance abuse evaluations
  • Illnesses, such as colds, fevers, sore throats and ear infections
  • Immunizations and vaccinations
  • Laboratory services, stress tests, X-rays and ultrasound procedures
  • Lesion removal, dermatology services and wound care
  • Men’s health
  • Osteopathic manipulative treatment
  • Preventive screenings like diabetes and hypertension
  • Pulmonary care
  • Routine prenatal care
  • Physicals required for sports, the workplace or pre-surgical preparation
  • Women’s health

Screenings and Regular Checkups

Maintaining your best health begins with staying up-to-date on all your recommended health screenings. When diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are diagnosed early, it's easier to find a treatment that works while getting conditions under control — so they don't rule your life. We are here to help. See a primary care provider at a location near you.

Guidelines for Men & Women

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Your doctor will collect basic health information from you or your child. This will help them watch for trends over time, and also investigate anything that may be outside of the norm.

Adult Care Appointment Includes

  • Heartbeat and breathing sounds via stethoscope
  • Head and neck exam, including tonsils, lymph nodes and thyroid
  • Abdominal exam to check for any tenderness and liver size
  • Muscle strength, reflexes and balance
  • Lab tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry panel and urinalysis
  • Any recommended cancer screenings
  • Immunizations

Child Care Appointment Includes

  • General assessment of overall health, such as weight, height and vital signs
  • Blood pressure, heart rate and temperature
  • Muscle strength, reflexes and balance
  • Lab tests and immunizations
  • Personalized care plan and recommendations
  • Chance to talk over health and development concerns
  • Referral to a specialist if needed

A young girl attentively sits in front of a doctor, engaged in a conversation about her health.

Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics

Visit an Avera walk-in clinic for convenient medical services when you can’t reach your regular doctor. No appointment or referral necessary. While hours vary by location, we offer after-hours care, some daytime services plus weekend urgent care hours. Please bring your photo ID, insurance card and a list of medications.

  • Orthopedic Injuries: For sprained ankles, back pain and more, Avera offers orthopedic urgent care hours in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, SD.
  • Mental Health Crisis: For patients of all ages and walks of life, Avera offers behavioral health urgent care in Sioux Falls, SD.
  • All Emergencies: For conditions that threaten a life, limb or organ, call 911 or go to one of Avera's emergency departments immediately.
All Urgent Care Locations

More Programs and Services

Depending on your health condition, your doctor may recommend additional attention from specialists at Avera. Note that some services vary by location.

Internal Medicine

Internal medicine specialists help you as your health needs change throughout every age and stage of life during adulthood.

Pediatrics

Your family benefits from expert pediatricians providing pediatric and specialty care for birth, childhood and young adulthood.

Women's Health

Compassionate, comprehensive care and personalized health services for women of all ages and lifestyles.

Behavioral Health

Make positive changes and develop new skills and healthier relationships to manage life’s stressors with help from mental health professionals.

Dermatology

Look and feel healthy in your own skin. Expert dermatologists diagnose and treat all different types of skin-related conditions.

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Get relief from stubborn pain, treatment for trauma and help to prevent injury with expert orthopedic specialists.

Allergy & Immunology

Live with less discomfort from allergies or immune system disorders. Get help from expert allergists and immunology specialists.

Ear, Nose & Throat

Breathe easier, hear better and live a balanced, healthier life when you take good care of your ears, nose and throat.

Other Health Services

Meet Our Primary Care Team

To make an appointment, call the clinic phone number of your primary care provider or ask to visit with an available doctor at a clinic near you.

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Give Immunizations a Shot

Vaccines protect us against serious illnesses like measles, mumps, tetanus and certain types of cancer. Learn More

Expert Advice on Primary Care Topics

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Own Your Health at Avera

Trust our compassionate providers for confidential primary and preventive care. Schedule an appointment at an Avera clinic in your town and visit with your doctor.

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