The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) is launching the Hometown Healthcare Hero campaign, to assist member healthcare facilities with workforce recruitment needs. The campaign is designed to recognize and celebrate healthcare facilities, professionals, the community, and available employment opportunities within that community and across South Dakota. The December 2021, Hometown Healthcare Heroes facilities include Avera St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics in Pierre, South Dakota.

Congratulations to this month’s SDAHO Hometown Healthcare Heroes recipients, Pierre’s Avera St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics.

Avera St. Mary’s Hospital has an array of medical and health services, including multiple areas of specialty care. This regional hospital and related facilities is the only hospital of its size located within a radius of 112 miles.

Located in the central part of the state in Hughes County, Pierre is South Dakota’s state capital. In addition to state government, Pierre is also known for outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities. Sara Rankin is the CEO of the Pierre Chamber of Commerce. “If you like hunting and fishing, Pierre is an outdoorsman’s paradise.”

Dr. Mark Hagy is an orthopedic surgeon at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. Dr. Hagy has traveled the world serving patients as a healthcare provider, until settling down in Pierre in 2017. “It has been an absolute blessing to come to South Dakota, it has reinvigorated my life. If I could bring together my former colleagues where I’ve practiced before to talk about how you can take care of patients and really take care of them in a good way, I would bring them all to this setting without a doubt.”

Lindee Miller is the Emergency Charge Nurse at Avera St. Mary’s. She was born and raised in Faulkton, SD, but left the state for a short stint as she pursued her education and healthcare career. She and her family decided home was South Dakota, so they moved back. “As my career advanced and I was ready to raise my kids, I knew Pierre was a safe community and that is where we wanted to be.”

Pierre is a robust community with continued growth. Avera St. Mary’s Hospital and the healthcare team are part of that growth with a variety of job opportunities.