Jan. 3, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera.

Avera is expanding access to inpatient care for behavioral health in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.

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 grants, including $2.1 million in federal appropriations through a noncompetitive grant supported by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds office and $1.2 million supported by Gov. Kristi Noem through South Dakota Department of Social Services and ARPA, or American Rescue Plan Act, funding.

“As a leader in behavioral health care over the past six decades, Avera has a strong commitment to behavioral health,” said Dr. David Ermer, 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.”

Expansion in first-floor shell space 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 such as 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 subacute 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. “We are grateful for state and federal funding, recognizing this need and helping us to meet that need.”

In 2006, Avera completed its 110-bed Avera Behavioral Health Hospital. With the new wing and finished shell space, the hospital will have 162 beds, making it the fourth-largest hospital in the state, yet one that is completely dedicated to behavioral health services.

“There is no doubt that behavioral health is one of the largest needs that we see in health care today,” Otten said. “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. “With the growth happening in the Sioux Falls region, these investments will allow us to care for patients into the future.”

The expected completion date for the project is spring 2025.

In Aberdeen, Avera will create an 18-bed unit for adults, seniors and crisis stabilization for adolescents in 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 funding of $2.4 million and a lead gift of $1.5 million from Dacotah Bank.

Currently, Avera St. Luke’s has 10 beds for inpatient behavioral health care. Creating the unit will improve and expand on that with 18 private rooms, plus space for gym and activities, as well as for therapy groups. Avera St. Luke’s will continue to offer residential addiction care in its existing location in the hospital.

Previously, Avera had 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.

“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.

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, youths, adults and families seeking lifesaving care through Avera Behavioral Health services across the ministry. 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 Avera 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. 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.