By Jodi Schwan

The area that includes Lewis and Clark Specialty Hospital in Yankton will be renamed Avera Fox Run Health Campus, as Avera’s purchase of the complex became effective April 1.

Avera is transitioning the 10-bed hospital to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and also bought the family practice clinic, physical therapy clinic and imaging center connected to Lewis and Clark.

On the campus will be the Avera Surgical Hospital, Avera Medical Group Family Medicine and Avera Fox Run Medical Plaza, which will include the independent clinic offices.

The independent clinic practices currently located in the clinic building on the campus will remain independent and will become tenants.

Doug Doorn, CEO Avera Surgical Hospital, and Doug Ekeren, CEO of Avera Sacred Heart, introduce the new plans for the Avera Fox Run Health Campus in Yankton.

The family practice clinic, including Dr. Jeff Johnson and two advance practice professionals, will join Avera Medical Group and continue their practices at the Avera Fox Run Health Campus.

“We are excited about this change and look forward to working together with the physicians and staff in providing quality care to the people of the Yankton region,” said Doug Ekeren, president and CEO of  Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.

Approximately 55 employees will become employees of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital.

“The time has come for collaboration and unity in the medical community of Yankton. With this move, we will be able to continue to provide excellent surgical care in our community,” said Dr. David Abbott of Ear, Nose & Throat Associates PC. “We already have a strong relationship with Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, and most of our physicians have had privileges at both locations. This move will help Yankton continue to be the high-level medical destination that it has become.”

Future plans for the facility are still being developed, but the location will continue to be used for surgical procedures.

“This acquisition allows Avera to ensure access to care and expand our services in the Yankton community,” Ekeren said. “This will allow for better care coordination, accreditation of the services provided there and, overall, this was simply a good time for this to happen. Avera Sacred Heart will collaborate with physicians on future services to be offered in that location.”