Avera on Louise Health Campus in Sioux Falls recently broke ground on a new digestive health facility to meet the community’s needs. Dr. Christopher Hurley, a Gastroenterologist for Avera Medical Group, highlighted the importance of this new facility due to the change in recommended screening age for colon cancer. With the screening age now recommended to be age forty-five by the United States Preventative Task Force, a larger patient population requires screening at an earlier age than the previous guideline of fifty years old.
The facility was put on hold during the pandemic but an updated model was eventually given the green light for construction. Dr. Ronald Place, the Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, emphasized the significance of this new facility for economic development. The facility will provide improved capacity for gastrointestinal services, reducing wait times for patients needing procedures like colonoscopies for preventive measures against colon cancer.
During his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Place noted that the construction project is anticipated to take approximately 18 months from groundbreaking to completion. He expressed excitement about providing much-needed services and support to
