Aug. 2, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

Sioux Falls and the surrounding area are growing in diversity. For Avera’s largest hospital, the employees and the patients they serve reflect that diversity. In fact, employees of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center come from more than 50 countries and speak more than 30 languages and dialects.

Global representation can be seen across the board for Avera McKennan employees. For two teams in particular – food and environmental services – employees come from nearly every corner of the globe. These teams specialize in hospitality and making a hospital stay safe and comfortable for patients and families.

Sahra Mohamed, a housekeeper with Avera McKennan’s environmental services team, prepares a patient room at the hospital.

“We’re here to serve patients, and even if we don’t see them, we still represent Avera,” said Renand-Ignacio Villanueva, a cook at Avera McKennan. “We have an excellent team and a great work atmosphere. It’s the best kitchen I’ve ever worked in.”

Villanueva knows kitchens and worldwide service. A native of the Philippines, he worked in Qatar, on cruise ships, in casinos and now – a hospital.

“No matter what I’m doing, I like to help people,” he added. “Our team is built on that idea.”

Helen Clover, environmental services operation manager, said her team’s 24/7 role means their backgrounds blend into a connected group of caregivers.

“We work together – from nursing to housekeeping to food service – and without one link, the hospital won’t run right,” Clover said. “Our team is 75 percent immigrants, and we speak 25 languages, yet everything works smoothly – that shows the effort we put into our facility.”

Jason Chick, executive chef at Avera McKennan, said the mixture of talents from around the world offers ways for constant team improvement.

Emira Berberovic, a patient meal assembly specialist on Avera McKennan’s food service team, with Jason Chick, executive chef at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Center

“With so many different life experiences, we can learn from each other and grow,” he said. “We often find multiple solutions.” Food is a universal language, and so is caring for others in need.

“Borders and cultural differences do not seem to change the way we feel about helping others,” Chick added.

Focusing on people goes beyond job titles

When Solomon Weay left Liberia, he wasn’t sure what sort of career he might find in the Midwest. He found work in Sioux Falls in a difficult production job. During his two years as an Avera McKennan custodian, he has gained more satisfaction – as well as joy.

“Our best is expected,” Weay added. “We’re here to work to serve patients and families – and our fellow employees.” Weay said knowing housekeepers from his native Liberia is nice but that he likes learning about the cultures of the 100-plus people on his team too.

Dinh Phan, 15, really likes his first job in Avera McKennan’s food service, delivering meal carts to patient floors. “I don’t see the patients, but I know what we’re doing is helping someone who is sick,” he said. “The team is welcoming, and we get along.” Phan is a second-generation Avera employee; his mother, Van, has been on the team for seven years.

Amanda Viau Hopkins is the director of food service for facilities across Sioux Falls, including Avera McKennan. With such a wide-ranging group of workers – from young people in first jobs to others with decades of experience – she said unifying ideas actually are pretty easy to find.

“Tough jobs are nothing new to kitchen staff, and we celebrate the fact we face and finish hard things every day,” Hopkins said. “But there’s more to it. Our team is mindful of the healing work that happens here.”

Team members bring their native languages to the table, and numerous are multilingual. Every employee is encouraged to use their gifts, be it language or simply compassion.

“People in the hospital are going through difficult and even scary situations,” Hopkins said. “If you can talk to someone in the dining area who speaks your language or who looks like you – or if they are just kind to you – it makes a big difference.”

Opportunities for advancement

An entry-level job may lead to a longer-term career at Avera. “We all have roles, and I believe we’re connected,” said Elizabeth Aguilar, who began her Avera career in housekeeping and now is the team’s training manager.

Being part of the Avera mission connects to the members of these teams. They also know they have opportunities for growth and advancement. “People like me,” Aguilar said. She’s a North Dakota native, yet her Spanish skills help her ensure her teams are on the same page. “We see many people who use programs to advance their English or communications skills, get help with training or tuition, or who earn management roles.”

Learn about careers at Avera.