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Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center

3.1 (170)

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, founded in 1911 in Sioux Falls, SD, is a 545-bed tertiary care facility. It has received accolades including America´s 250 Best Hospitals Award and Outstanding Patient Experience Award. The hospital excels in specialties such as oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics, serving as a regional referral center for the Avera Health system.

NPI Number : 1568460772

1325 S Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105

+1 (605) 322-8000

www.avera.org

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Departments

Audiology

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Chemotherapy

Clinical Laboratory

CT Scan

Diagnostic Radiology

Dietary Care

Emergency Department

Forensic Psychiatric

Geriatric Psychiatric

MRI

Nuclear Medicine

Ophthalmic Surgery

Optometric

Orthopedic Surgery

Occupational Therapy

Outpatient

Outpatient Psychiatric Care

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient Surgery

Pediatric Care

PET Scan

Pharmacy

Physical Therapy

Respiratory Care

Social Care

Speech Pathology

Therapeutic Radiology

Appointment Information

Department	Online	Phone	Walk-In	Same-Day
General	AveraChart	605-322-8000	No	Limited
Cardiology	AveraChart	605-322-8000	No	Emergency only
Internal Medicine	AveraChart	605-322-8000	No	Limited
Orthopedics	AveraChart	605-322-8000	Yes	Yes
Urgent Care	"Save your spot" online	605-322-8000	Yes	Yes

Visiting Hours

Department	Visitation Options
General Care Areas	- Visiting hours: 6 AM - 9 PM daily - Two visitors allowed per patient per day - No rotation of visitors throughout the day
Online Scheduling	- Schedule visits through AveraChart patient portal - Video visits available for some appointments
Phone Scheduling	- Call 605-322-8000 to schedule a visit
Walk-In Visits	- Available at urgent care locations - No appointment needed
Same-Day Visits	- May be available depending on provider schedules - Call clinic for availability

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Information

Management and Leadership Team

Name	Title	Department	Areas of Expertise
Ronald Place, MD	Regional President and CEO	Executive Leadership	Hospital Operations, Strategic Planning, Military Health Systems
David Flicek	Chief Operating Officer, Avera Health	Executive Leadership	System-wide Operations, Medical Group Administration
Jared Friedman, MD	Chief Medical Officer	Medical Affairs	Clinical Operations, Quality Improvement, Emergency Medicine
Julie Lautt	CFO, Secretary/Treasurer	Finance	Financial Management, Strategic Planning
Kim Jensen	Chief Human Resources Officer	Human Resources	Talent Management, Organizational Development
Richard Korman	Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel	Legal	Healthcare Law, Risk Management
Bruk Kammerman	Sr. VP Chief Information Officer	Information Technology	Healthcare IT, Digital Transformation
Andrew Burchett	Chief Medical Information Officer	Medical Informatics	Clinical Information Systems, Healthcare Technology
Pat Costello	Board Chair	Governance	Strategic Oversight, Community Relations
Jennifer Bunkers	Board Vice Chair	Governance	Strategic Planning, Organizational Leadership

Average Salary

Department	Service	Average Cost	Notes
Cardiology	Angioplasty	$28,000	Costs may increase with stent placement
Cardiology	Echocardiogram	$2,000	Lower cost for outpatient procedure
Oncology	Chemotherapy (per session)	$10,000 - $30,000	Varies based on drugs and duration
Oncology	Radiation therapy (per session)	$2,000 - $5,000	Total treatment usually requires multiple sessions
Neurology	MRI brain scan	$3,000	With and without contrast
Neurology	EEG	$800	Routine outpatient procedure
Orthopedics	Total knee replacement	$50,000	Includes surgery and initial hospital stay
Orthopedics	Arthroscopic shoulder surgery	$20,000	Outpatient procedure
Outpatient	Primary care visit	$200 - $400	New patient visits may cost more
Outpatient	Specialist consultation	$300 - $600	Varies by specialty

Support Programs for Patients

Program	Description
Financial Assistance	100% free care for uninsured/underinsured patients with income up to 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Partial Charity Care	Discounts up to 90% for patients with income 250-400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Payment Plans	Interest-free monthly payment options
Avera@Home	Home health care, hospice, and medical equipment services
Hospital@Home	Inpatient-level care provided in patient´s home
Palliative Care	Specialized medical care focused on symptom relief and quality of life
Social Work Services	Assistance with social support, community resources, and care coordination

Payment Plans

Payment Plan Option	Details
In-house Payment Plan	Interest-free, Simple monthly payments, Manage account online
Health Services Financing (HSF®)	Line of credit through Commerce Bank, Monthly payments, $250 minimum initial transaction
CareCredit	Medical credit card, Short-term financing options, Potential 0% interest promotional periods
Financial Assistance Program	For qualifying low-income patients, Up to 100% forgiveness of charges
Sliding Scale Discounts	Up to 90% forgiveness based on income level
Extended Payment Plans	Customized plans for those who qualify, Interest-free options available

Accepted Insurance Companies

Medicaid

Medicare

Cost Consulting

Department	Financial Counseling Services
Billing Office	- Assistance applying for financial aid programs - Discussion of payment options to decrease financial burden - Customized interest-free payment plans - Guidance on government programs and charity care resources
Financial Assistance	- Eligibility screening for financial assistance programs - Help completing financial assistance application - Information on charity care policies
Patient Financial Services	- Estimates of out-of-pocket costs before treatment - Explanation of insurance coverage and patient responsibility - Information on payment plan options
Admissions	- Discussion of estimated costs prior to scheduled procedures - Overview of financial assistance programs available - Referral to financial counselors for detailed guidance

Hospital for patients with disabilities or special needs

Accommodation	Details
Physical Accessibility	- Accessible parking - Accessible routes - Accessible entrances - Elevators - Accessible hallways - Accessible restrooms
Assistive Devices	- Wheelchairs - Walkers - Canes - Hearing aids - Visual aids
Communication Aids	- Sign language interpreters - Language interpreters - Communication boards - Braille materials - Large print materials
Priority Services	- Priority check-in - Priority seating in waiting areas - Assistance with paperwork
Staff Training	- Disability awareness training - Cultural competence training - Inclusive care practices

Digital Health Services

Department	Digital Health Services
Cardiology	- Remote cardiac monitoring - Virtual cardiology consultations - Online heart health education resources
Emergency	- eEmergency telemedicine support - Virtual triage assessments
Intensive Care	- eICU remote monitoring - Virtual ICU physician consultations
Neurology	- Telestroke services - Remote neurological assessments
Oncology	- Virtual oncology consultations - Remote chemotherapy symptom monitoring
Pediatrics	- Virtual pediatric visits - Remote monitoring for high-risk infants
Pharmacy	- ePharmacy Services - Online prescription refills and management
Primary Care	- Virtual primary care visits - Online appointment scheduling
Psychiatry	- Telepsychiatry services - Online mental health resources
Radiology	- Teleradiology services - Online imaging results access

Hospital-wide digital services:

AveraChart patient portal
Virtual nursing support
Remote patient monitoring
Secure messaging with providers
Video visit capabilities

Collaborations / Educational Programs

Department	Educational Programs
Family Medicine	3-year residency program, rural rotations, continuity clinic
Radiology	24-month radiologic technology program, clinical rotations, classroom courses
Pharmacy	Pharmacy residency, critical care pharmacy residency
Nursing	Nursing Clinical Internship (NCI) program, clinical rotations
Medical Education	Continuing education classes, conferences, ACLS/BLS certification
Behavioral Health	Rotations in adult, adolescent, child, and senior units
Internal Medicine	Inpatient and outpatient rotations, specialty clinics
Laboratory	Clinical rotations, hands-on training in lab techniques

Collaborative Research Projects

Department	Research Project	Details
Pediatrics	ECHO Study	Examines environmental influences on child health outcomes
Genetics	Avera Twin Register	Studies genetic and environmental influences on health
Cardiology	Cardiovascular Clinical Trials	Tests new treatments for heart disease
Maternal Health	MARCH Center of Excellence	Improves maternal health outcomes for rural and American Indian populations
Oncology	Avera Cancer Sequencing and Analytics Protocol (ASAP)	Studies molecular characteristics of cancer patients
Pharmacology	GeneFolio Medication Analysis	Uses pharmacogenomics to optimize medication selection
Rural Health	Mobile Research Unit	Brings clinical trials to rural communities

Professional Development Programs

Department	Affiliation/Program
Medical Education	University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Continuing Education	Avera Conferences
Cardiology	American College of Cardiology
Nursing	Nurse Residency Program
Certification	National nursing certifications in 20+ specialties
Leadership	LIGHT Program for physician work-life balance
Research	Avera Research Institute clinical trials
Genomics	Avera Institute for Human Genetics

Certification and Accreditation Programs

Department	Certification/Accreditation	Accrediting Body
Neurology	Comprehensive Stroke Center	DNV GL Healthcare
Cardiology	Cardiac Catheterization Lab Certification	Joint Commission
Hospital-wide	Hospital Accreditation	Joint Commission
Inpatient Rehabilitation	CARF Accreditation	Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
Trauma	Level II Trauma Center	American College of Surgeons
Neonatal Care	Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit	American Academy of Pediatrics

Internship and Observation Programs

Department	Opportunity Type
Behavioral Health	Internship
Emergency Department	Observation
Labor and Delivery	Internship
Medical/Surgical Units	Internship
Nursing Clinical Internship Program	Internship
Pathology/Laboratory Medicine	Clinical Rotation
Pharmacy	Residency
Radiology	Clinical Rotation
Rehabilitation	Internship
Short Stay Unit	Internship
Surgical Services	Observation

Hospital Academic Awards and Achievements

Department	Award
Emergency Departments	2024 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award®, Press Ganey
Hospital-wide	100 Great Hospitals in America for 2024, Becker´s Hospital Review
Hospital-wide	America´s 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024)
Hospital-wide	American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner Diamond designation
Hospital-wide	Community Value Leadership Award
Hospital-wide	Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2024, 2023, 2022)
Critical Care	America´s 100 Best Hospitals for Critical Care Award™ (2025)
Critical Care	Critical Care Excellence Award™ (2024, 2023)
Joint Replacement	Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ (2024)
Pulmonary Care	Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ (2024, 2023)

Hospital Specialization and Expertise Opportunit

Department	Program
Family Medicine	Residency
Cardiology	Fellowship
Critical Care	PGY2 Pharmacy Residency
Internal Medicine	Residency
Oncology	PGY2 Pharmacy Residency
Pharmacy	PGY1 Residency
Psychiatry	PGY2 Pharmacy Residency
Radiology	School of Radiologic Technology

Hospital Residency and Assistantship Programs

Department	Program
Critical Care	PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency
Internal Medicine	Internal Medicine Residency
Oncology	PGY2 Oncology Pharmacy Residency
Pharmacy	PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
Psychiatry	PGY2 Psychiatry Pharmacy Residency
Radiology	Radiologic Technology Program

What are the activities of the hospital for patients without insurance?

Department	Service/Support
Financial Assistance	- 100% free care for eligible patients - Partial charity care discounts up to 90% off - Sliding scale based on income and family size - Application process available
Payment Plans	- Interest-free payment plans - Short-term and extended options - Monthly payments
Emergency Care	- 24/7 emergency services regardless of ability to pay - Level II Trauma Center
Discounted Services	- Lab Direct Access Testing at discounted rates - Potential discounts for uninsured patients
Insurance Guidance	- Assistance applying for Medicaid - Information on government assistance programs - Help understanding insurance coverage
Other Support	- Financial counseling - Billing staff to discuss options - Interpreter services available

Hospital Research Collaborations

Department	Collaborating Institution
Genetics	Netherlands Twin Register at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Molecular Biology	University of South Dakota School of Medicine
Pharmacogenomics	Avera Research Institute
Pediatrics	Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program
Population Health	Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health

Mentoring and Consultancy in Hospital Education

Department	Mentorship/Advisory Program
Emergency Medicine	Resident-student mentorship program
Family Medicine	Faculty mentorship for medical students
Graduate Medical Education	Structured mentoring program for residents
Internal Medicine	Residency advising mentorship program
Nursing	Nurse Residency Program for new graduates
Nursing	Professional Practice Program for RN development
Ophthalmology	Mentoring program for junior faculty
Pharmacy	Mentorship for clinical pharmacy residents

Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center Nearest Places

Hotels

0.1 mi

4.1

The Center Inn

Free WiFi, Free breakfast, Pet-friendly

0.3 mi

4.3

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sioux Falls, SD

Indoor pool, Free breakfast, Fitness center

0.6 mi

4.4

Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls Downtown

Restaurant, Indoor pool, Fitness center

0.7 mi

4.1

Holiday Inn Sioux Falls-City Centre

Indoor pool, Restaurant, Fitness center

0.8 mi

4.6

Hotel on Phillips

Free WiFi, Bar, Fitness center

0.9 mi

4.2

Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention Center

Indoor pool, Restaurant, Fitness center

Florists and Gift Shops

0.2 km

4.7

The Flower Mill

Fresh flowers, custom arrangements, hospital delivery

0.5 km

4.8

Cliff Avenue Florist

Fresh flowers, gift baskets, hospital delivery

0.1 km

4.5

Avera McKennan Gift Shop

Gifts, flowers, snacks, Avera-branded items

0.8 km

4.6

Country Garden Flower & Gift

Fresh flowers, gifts, hospital delivery

0.9 km

4.7

Flowers by Eva

Custom arrangements, hospital delivery

1.0 km

4.9

Little Wine Cellar Co

Wine, gifts, specialty items

Food and Restaurant

0 km

4.2

Café 1325

Hospital cafeteria, American

0.1 km

4.3

Caribou Coffee

Coffee shop, Light snacks

0.2 km

Quarry Café

Hospital cafeteria, American

0.8 km

4.4

Stubbie´s Bar & Grill

Bar, Grill, Pizza, Wings

0.9 km

4.5

Tarquin Argentinian Restaurant

Argentinian, Steakhouse, Latin

1 km

4.5

Abelardo´s Mexican Food

Mexican, Fast food

Pharmacies

0 km

4.5

Avera McKennan Campus Pharmacy

Handicapped Accessible, Medicaid, Medicare, Delivery, Compounding

0.3 km

4.3

Avera 7th Avenue Pharmacy

Prescription Services, Over-the-Counter Medications

0.2 km

4.2

Avera Plaza 2 Pharmacy

Prescription Services, Medication Flavoring

0.9 km

4.1

Lewis Drug

Prescription Services, Over-the-Counter Medications

0.8 km

3.9

Walgreens

24/7 Pharmacy, Drive-Thru

1 km

4.8

True Care Family Pharmacy

Personalized Service, Compounding

Taxi and Transportation

0.8 km

4.7

Surf Taxi

24/7 service, airport transfers, local rides

0.9 km

4.5

AAA Taxi Service

Local rides, airport transfers, wheelchair accessible

0.7 km

4.8

Taxi By Mike

Local rides, airport transfers, 24/7 service

0.6 km

4.3

Sioux Falls Taxi Service

Local rides, airport transfers, group transportation

0.8 km

4.6

Metro Cab

Local rides, airport transfers, minivans available

1.0 km

4.4

Sioux Falls Wheelchair Transit Plus

Wheelchair accessible, medical transportation, local rides

ATMs and Banks

0.3 km

3.8

Wells Fargo Bank

Full-service bank, ATM

0.5 km

4.2

First PREMIER Bank

Full-service bank, ATM

0.7 km

3.9

Great Western Bank

Full-service bank, ATM

0.8 km

3.5

U.S. Bank ATM

ATM only

0.9 km

4.1

Dacotah Bank

Full-service bank, ATM

1.0 km

4.3

The First National Bank in Sioux Falls

Full-service bank, ATM

Parking Lots

0.1 km

4.2

North Parking Ramp

Connected by skywalk, Free parking

0.2 km

4.1

South Parking Ramp

Connected by skywalk, Free parking

0 km

4.3

Valet Parking

Courtesy valet service, Wheelchair accessible

Shopping Malls

0.8 km

4.3

The Empire Mall

Over 110 specialty shops and restaurants, including Macy´s, Dick´s Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Athleta, Anthropologie, Coach

0.9 km

4.5

The Bridges at 57th

30 shops, boutiques, and restaurants

1.0 km

Western Mall

Various stores and services

Stationery and Copying Services

0.9 km

4.7

Sisson Printing

Offset and digital printing, bindery services, mailing services

0.8 km

4.8

AlphaGraphics

Custom printing, signs, marketing services

0.7 km

4.6

Harold´s Photo

Photo printing, custom gifts, stationery

Car Rental

0.8 km

4.3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Economy cars, SUVs, trucks, vans

0.9 km

3.9

Hertz

Compact cars, sedans, SUVs

1.0 km

3.7

Budget Car Rental

Economy cars, luxury vehicles, moving trucks

Patient Experiences

✅ Summary of Positive Reviews

The positive reviews of Avera McKennan Hospital highlight the exceptional care received by patients. Reviewers appreciated the attentive and informative nature of the nurses and doctors throughout their entire medical experience, from check-in to surgery and recovery. The hospital staff were described as caring, calm, and knowledgeable, creating an environment that made patients feel secure and comfortable. Reviewers expressed gratitude for the educated and kind staff, as well as the clean and welcoming atmosphere of the hospital.

❌ Summary of Negative Reviews

Negative reviews of Avera McKennan Hospital primarily focus on issues with the billing and insurance department. Patients reported frustrations related to incorrect billing, difficulties obtaining necessary documentation, and a lack of proper communication and assistance. Reviewers criticized the handling of disputes, feeling ignored or let down by the department´s inability to address their concerns effectively, leaving them in difficult financial situations due to unresolved billing errors.