THE HISTORY OF AVERA WESKOTA MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER

Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center, a 28-bed hospital in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, was originally established in 1947 as Jerauld County Hospital to honor those residents of Jerauld County who lost their lives in WWII.  In 1945, the Wessington Springs Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to investigate the possibility of establishing a hospital in the town.  The original hospital was established in the remodeled boys' dormitory building known as the McConnell House and was funded through the efforts of 80 Jerauld County men who each advanced one hundred dollars, plus an additional $35,000 which was netted through the sale of bonds.  A bronze plaque was dedicated to the memory of county residents who lost their lives in WWII.  From that time on, much of the responsibility rested with the county commissioners and the temporary committee they appointed.

In 1953, a group of women met to form an auxiliary.  Dues were one dollar.  The auxiliary established a nursing scholarship of $150, which recipients often repaid by working in the local hospital for one year.  The auxiliary also hosted several events, helped with sewing, canning and other projects.  The sale of gifts and candy bars helped supply needed funds.  Candy stripers (school students) were sponsored by the group and received uniforms and caps made by auxiliary members.

That same year, Memorial Hospital contracted for Crow Creek Indian care and crowded conditions at the hospital promoted the application for an approval of a $45,000 Hill-Burton grant for an addition.  The grant, plus $65,000 approved by the county, provided ample funds for the enlargement and in 1955, the new addition was formally dedicated.  A total of 1069 patients were admitted that year, including 130 births.  In the spring of that same year, the Gray Ladies organization was formed which did volunteer work directly with patients.  The Gray Ladies organization eventually dissolved and the Auxiliary continued on. 

In 1967, Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society were invited to provide administration of Memorial Hospital and a new hospital advisory board was formed.  In 1976, the Wessington Springs hospital board was advised that the present facility did not meet state requirements and would have to be renovated or razed.  Although funding was not available locally, word was received from U.S. Representative James Abnor that a federal grant totaling $1.5 million was a possibility and eventually an Economic Development Administration federal grant in that amount made construction possible; groundbreaking for a new facility was held in May 1977.  The project was completed in 1979.

The new hospital was built adjoining the existing Weskota Manor and the Weskota Manor Board became responsible for the operation of both facilities.  In 1979, the Jerauld County Commissioners and the Weskota Manor Board of Directors entered into an agreement with Lutheran Hospital and Homes for the operation and management responsibility for the new Weskota Memorial Medical Center, which began operations in March of that same year.  The project's initial purpose was to provide jobs in the community, but the long-range benefits were to be the continued need to provide health care, thus making a healthy economic impact on the community.  Special counseling services were added to the existing medical and dental facilities.  A metal box containing pictures, newspaper clippings, and mementos of the day were placed in a wall of the building and was to be opened in 40 years.

In 1987, Weskota Memorial Medical Center entered into a management agreement with Huron Regional Medical Center.  In 2000, the Jerauld County Commissioners requested that Weskota Memorial Medical Center, licensed for 28 beds, partner with Avera Health.  A ten-year lease agreement with Avera Health became effective June 1, 2000 and the Weskota Memorial Medical Center employees became employees of Avera Queen of Peace.  The name of the facility became Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center.  At the time of the contract, the population of Wessington Springs, located 40 miles northwest of Mitchell, was 1,083.  In June of 2007 the Jerauld County Commissioners and Avera Queen of Peace Health Services renegotiated a 20-year lease.