RHSHC to partner with Avera

CRESCO - Regional Health Services of Howard County (RHSHC) announces a new partnership with Avera Health, based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

RHSHC Board of Trustees voted to sign an agreement with Avera Health at their Jan. 28, 2020 meeting. The new partnership begins July 1, 2020.

RHS will continue to be owned by Howard County, and will continue to be governed by the local Board of Trustees.

The agreement includes all aspects of RHSHC, including hospital services, hospice and home health, the Cresco and Lime Springs medical clinics, ambulance services and Cresco Family Pharmacy and Home Medical Equipment.

All employees will remain employees of RHS, and patients will continue to experience the same high-quality care in Cresco from our local physicians and caregivers they know and trust.

Twelve months ago, the hospital’s board and senior leadership team began evaluating Avera Health as a potential partner. “We found that Avera Health fulfills our criteria that included a robust and fully integrated electronic medical record, successful track record of supporting physicians and other providers, a wide range of services to improve patient care and operational efficiency, and support while allowing our operation to maintain autonomy,” said RHS’ Dr. Paul Jensen, Chief Medical Officer.

RHS was formerly affiliated with MercyOne. “Although we will no longer be in a formal partnership arrangement with MercyOne, we look forward to continuing to work with them for outreach specialists and other initiatives to improve the care provided to our patients,” Jensen said. Patients, with assistance from their RHSHC providers, will continue to make their own decisions on where to obtain health services when needed specialty care is not available in Cresco.

“Regional Health Services of Howard County has a strong history of providing quality care to the residents of Howard County and the surrounding areas. As health care evolves on a nationwide scale, collaborative partnerships are more important than ever. We are proud to welcome Regional Health Services to the Avera Health family, and offer the strength of the Avera Health system to support local health care,” said Curt Hohman, Senior Vice President of Managed Facilities for Avera Health. 

He continued, “Avera Health’s strength is quality care, close to home. Our partnership agreements are designed to help local facilities stay strong and viable.” 

“This agreement with Avera Health will give us access to the tools and expertise to successfully navigate through today’s complex health care environment,” said George Willis, Chair of the Board of Trustees for RHS. “We look forward to collaborating with Avera Health to help us provide enhanced health care to area residents.”