Sept. 29, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

In 2000, forming Avera was a step of faith and courage for two orders of Catholic sisters. Today, 25 years later, what Avera has become is more extensive than anyone then had imagined.

“It’s clear that we are stronger together than we were operating separately, and we trust that health care across the Upper Midwest is stronger for it as well,” said Sister Lucille Welbig of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sponsor member and chair of Caring for Life Catholic Health Ministries, the sponsoring organization of Avera.

Members of the Benedictine Sisters and Presentation Sisters arrived from Europe in Dakota Territory in the 1880s on a missionary journey of education and then health care, responding to needs such as diphtheria and influenza epidemics. Early hospitals founded by the sisters included Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton in 1897, St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen in 1901, St. Joseph Hospital — later Queen of Peace — in Mitchell in 1906 and McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls in 1911.

The Benedictine and Presentation sisters each formed systems of hospitals and nursing homes. In the late 1990s, they began considering how their systems could come together for the benefit of all, resulting in a unique co-sponsorship model.

On Sept. 1, 2000, it became official; the documents were signed, and a celebration was held to commemorate this official beginning of Avera. The name Avera comes from a Latin term meaning “to be well.”

The Benedictine Sisters brought soil from the property of Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, and the Presentation Sisters brought soil from Presentation Convent in Aberdeen. They potted a plant in this mixed soil – a plant that was placed in the front lobby of the Avera Central Office, newly constructed in 2000 in southwest Sioux Falls.

The sisters also lit candles and baked braided bread to celebrate their unity under one mission: to make a positive impact in the lives and health of people and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.

The decision was that all facilities would be owned by Avera and both orders would have equal representation as sponsors. “We went forward with the Biblical principle to throw our lots in together,” remembers Sister Lynn Marie Welbig, PBVM, who was on the leadership board at the time of the transition. Sisters also agreed to unity. “If we couldn’t come to consensus on a decision, then it wasn’t a good decision.”

Avera began as a collaboration of 127 locations, including hospitals, long-term care centers, senior living communities and clinics in 46 communities. Today, Avera employs 22,600 people at 315 locations in 100 communities, serving a population of 1 million.

Avera has evolved into a fully integrated continuum of care that includes hospitals, clinics, long-term care centers, retirement communities, home care, hospice, sports and fitness centers, home medical equipment outlets, health insurance and more.

“Like the courage of the sisters who arrived in Dakota Territory in the 1880s, the sisters were very courageous at the time of the formation of Avera, willing to lay aside any differences for the greater good as they trusted in God’s leading,” said James Dover, president and CEO of Avera Health.

Sister Lynn Marie Welbig remembers how important it was to the sisters that Avera identify itself as a “health ministry rooted in the Gospel,” because there are people of all faith backgrounds who feel part of Avera, not just those of the Catholic faith. “That has been so beautiful over these past 25 years, really a miracle because of the power of that statement,” she said.

“The mission to make a positive impact in the lives of persons and communities is one everyone can have ownership of,” Dover said. “Avera has created a culture in which employees feel a high degree of engagement and are proud to work for Avera. It is through this heritage that Avera is known for the integrity of its mission and ‘walking the talk.’”

“I don’t think Avera would be who it is and where it is today without faith. Faith of our founding sisters, faith of the people who minister with us, the faith of the people to whom we minister – it’s all faith-based,” said Sister Debra Kolecka of the Order of St. Benedict, sponsor member and vice chair of Caring for Life Catholic Health Ministries.

“We’re gifted to have so many people working with us,” Sister Lucille Welbig said. “As we continue to grow and as facilities join us, they see that we’re here to care about the patients, the residents and the employees. We’re here to build a team together. It’s really a blessing that we are one Avera.”

Learn more about Avera’s mission and ministry.