Plans are in development for a new health care campus in Freeman, S.D., as three organizations collaborate to best meet the needs of the community and people of all ages.
With the help of Avera, Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) and Salem Mennonite Home (SMH) are planning for the development and construction of a new health campus in the community of Freeman that would include new senior care, hospital and clinic facilities.
Both Freeman Regional Health Services and Salem Mennonite Home have had Partner in Health agreements with Avera in place since mid-2020. These are agreements in which Avera is paid a monthly fee to provide prescribed management services.
Avera, FRHS and SMH have regular meetings to provide a general overview of the guidance Avera is offering in the areas of architectural expertise, model facility design, efficiency and cost-saving operations.
Avera architects are helping the board evaluate facility design options and the Avera finance team is looking into feasibility and financial studies. Avera Human Resources is also assisting with staffing questions.
“Avera successfully partners with a number of rural communities to help enhance health care services. We’re here to help our partners through the strength of the Avera system. We have helped several hospitals and clinics develop innovative health campuses that are specifically designed for the delivery of rural health care in today’s environment. We’re glad to help put this experience to work for the community of Freeman,” said Curt Hohman, Senior Vice President of Managed Facilities for Avera.
In addition to a 25-bed hospital and medical clinic, Freeman Regional Health Services offers senior care, including a 56-bed skilled nursing facility that includes two 10-bed memory care neighborhoods and two 10-unit independent apartment complexes. Salem Mennonite Home is a 52-bed assisted living facility.
“Working together, Freeman Regional Health Services and Salem Mennonite Home provide a full continuum of care for all ages, from clinic care, to hospital services, to a range of senior living and care options. We are so excited to explore the vision for a new integrated health care campus in Freeman,” said Courtney Unruh, CEO of Freeman Regional Health Services.
Unruh and Shirley Knodel, Administrator of Salem Mennonite Home, are project co-managers, working together to coordinate the planning and reviewing of proposals for the physical design that will create a new unified health care campus.
“We are each looking at our respective facilities and teams to determine how we can optimize this continuum of care to best serve the health care needs of our entire community,” Knodel said.
“As a missional organization, Avera looks forward to working with Freeman Regional Health Services and Salem Mennonite Home to enhance care, best utilize resources, and find opportunities for collaboration. It’s exciting work and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of these plans,” said Doug Ekeren, Regional President of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and leader of Avera’s Long-Term Care Strategic Business Unit.