Avera Queen of Peace History
When the Presentation Sisters established St. Joseph Hospital in 1906, at the request of Mitchell civic leaders, they brought with them a healing spirit and a commitment to minister to those in need.
Today, as Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, the facility has undergone many changes and improvements since its doors first opened, including four separate expansions. The union of St. Joseph Hospital and Methodist Hospital in 1991 to create Queen of Peace Hospital was an important step in this evolution. What began as a small, pioneering hospital on the prairie has become a comprehensive medical facility offering state-of-the-art technology and services. The consolidation of the two hospitals strengthened the goals of both -- to heal the sick and ease their suffering by offering the finest health care available, and to help people stay healthy.
A $15 million expansion completed in 1994, furthered our efforts to maintain a quality health care facility for the people of this region. A new Emergency Department, Operating Suites, Same Day Services Department, Diagnostic Imaging Department, Surgical Unit, Cardiopulmonary Services Department, and Laboratory were completed to upgrade services. Additional remodeling projects have enhanced our ability to provide patient care.
In 1998, Avera Health was formed; it is comprised of facilities owned by the Presentation Sisters, the Benedictine Sisters, physicians, and communities in a five-state area. Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is part of this large network dedicated to providing quality health care close to home. Although many changes have taken place over the years, the Sisters' healing spirit and the commitment to minister to those in need continues at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital.
A recent change is reflected in our name…Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, sponsored by the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, is an Avera Health partner. Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is a 120-bed, acute care JCAHO-certified, regional medical center serving Mitchell, S.D., and an 15-county area.
Centennial Book
A Mitchell doctor used to ride his bike to make house calls (the horse and buggy was way too slow). Find out who that doctor was and learn more about Mitchell's healthcare history in the new book, A Century of Care ... a journey of faith, now available for $15 at the Avera Queen of Peace Gift Shop.
The Merger of Two Hospitals
The year 2006 marked another celebration with the completion of a $6 million project for which BWBR Architects, Inc. served as architect and Puetz Corporation of Mitchell was the general contractor. Mitchell sub-contractors included Tessier’s, Muth Electric, Mitchell Plumbing and Heating, and Interstate Glass & Door.
The building project added two new floors to accommodate a new Same Day Services, featuring 13 private rooms with TV, phone and a recliner chair. According To Chris Lippert, director of OR/Same Day Services/Central Registration, “Patients will be prepared for surgery in their private rooms and family can be present until the patients are taken to the OR. There’s a spacious waiting area staffed by a surgery hostess that will include two private consultation rooms, a quiet area and a special area for children; refreshments will be available.”
The new Maternal Care Center features 10 patient rooms and three spacious Labor/Delivery/Recovery (LDR) rooms. Director of Surgical/Peds/Maternal Care Angie McCain said, “Patients really enjoy moving from the Labor/Delivery Room (LDR) to a fresh, comfortable private room following the birth of their babies. We added a high-tech fetal monitoring unit to track a baby’s condition through the labor process; this centralized system allows staff to monitor the baby from the nurses station, as well as the LDR.” Concerns nationwide for baby’s safety following birth prompted the installation of a sophisticated electronic system to monitor the location of the newborn at all times. The LDRs and the patient rooms feature a personal whirlpool/shower combination, plus a built-in TV/VCR/DVD unit.