Avera Plans Expansion Projects to Increase Access to Behavioral Health Services
To meet ongoing and increasing demand for high quality behavioral health services, Avera is expanding access to inpatient care at two locations, in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, SD.
In Sioux Falls, Avera Behavioral Health will finish shell space in the new Helmsley Behavioral Health Center, adding 16 beds for adult care. This project is being funded through grant dollars, including $2.1 million in federal appropriations through a non-competitive grant supported by Sen. Mike Rounds office, and $1.2 million supported by Gov. Kristi Noem through South Dakota Department of Social Services and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars.
In Aberdeen, Avera will create a new 18-bed unit for adults, seniors, and crisis stabilization for adolescents, in currently vacant space on the fourth floor of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital. This project has received a state grant from the South Dakota Department of Social Services and ARPA dollars of $2.4 million, and a lead gift of $1.5 million from Dacotah Bank.
“As a leader in behavioral health care over the past six decades, Avera has a strong commitment to behavioral health,” said David Ermer, MD, Clinical Vice President of the Avera Behavioral Health Service Line. “Timely care in a center that upholds values of dignity and respect in an environment that cares for the whole person – body, mind and spirit – can make all the difference for someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.”
Sioux Falls Expansion
Expansion in first-floor shell space as part of the recently constructed Helmsley Behavioral Health Center at the Avera Behavioral Health Hospital in Sioux Falls will create a new Adult A unit to be more tailored for care of the most acute patients, designed with safety and security in mind.
Adult A cares for patients with more serious mental health disorders. All will be single, private rooms, plus shared space for needs including laundry, dining and meeting rooms.
The existing Adult A unit will be remodeled for a new Adult D unit, which will have 18 beds for sub-acute care. These changes will allow for grouping of similar patients on adult units.
“Creating specialized units, especially for our most acute population, allows safer and more tailored care for all adults,” said Thomas Otten, Vice President of Avera Behavioral Health Services. “We are grateful for state and federal funding, recognizing this need and helping us to meet that need.”
The project will bring Avera Behavioral Health Hospital to 162 beds, making it the fourth largest hospital in the state, yet one that is completely dedicated to behavioral health services.
“We recently expanded space for children and adolescents through construction of the Helmsley Behavioral Health Center; now our most pressing need is adult care,” Otten said. This project is expected to be complete in spring of 2025.
Aberdeen Expansion
Currently, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen has 10 beds for inpatient behavioral health care. Creating a new unit will improve and expand upon that, with 18 private rooms, plus space for gym and activities as well as therapy groups. Avera St. Luke’s will continue to offer residential addiction care in its existing location in the hospital.
Avera had previously planned behavioral health expansion in a separate building. “Post-pandemic, we have done a critical evaluation of patient beds and our use of space. At this time we feel it is the best stewardship to remodel existing space in our hospital,” said Dan Bjerknes, Regional President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital. “We already have a great behavioral health staff and effective programming; we just need the right space. So we are thrilled to now be able to create this environment of healing with eight additional beds in Aberdeen. Being in the hospital will help us maintain continuity of care within the hospital and will help with staffing and support services.”
Avera St. Luke’s sees patients from a broad rural area in the northern sector of South Dakota. “It is a hub for care and numerous medical specialties in addition to behavioral health,” Bjerknes said.
Avera St. Luke’s past Community Health Needs Assessments have pointed to a need for more inpatient behavioral health care. “This is something our community does need and will value. Eight years ago, we were able to invest in a state-of-the-art cancer center in Aberdeen; now is the time for behavioral health,” Bjerknes said. The new unit is expected to be completed in fall of 2024.
Dacotah Bank has generously committed a gift – the most significant commitment from a corporate entity – to ensure the behavioral health expansion at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital is a reality.
“We thank Dacotah Bank for their generous investment in improved access to behavioral health services in Aberdeen and we trust that others who understand this great need will follow their lead as we seek to raise matching funds,” Bjerknes added.
Thanks to generous gifts from 2,333 supporters over the past five years, the Avera Foundation has raised more than $35.5 million to support children, youth, adults and families seeking lifesaving care through Avera Behavioral Health services across the ministry. Supporters provided 4,084 generous gifts. Of note, the Light the Way Campaign, which supported the construction of the Helmsley Behavioral Health Center, ongoing programs and just-in-time patient and family assistance for those served through behavioral health services, has raised more than $30 million from 1,399 benefactors.
“We are incredibly grateful for the investment that others are making to improve the lives of individuals and families across our region,” Ermer added.
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,091,000.00. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
