Earlier this month, severe weather brought significant damage to the Highmore community, creating uncertainty for many residents—including those living at Highmore Health.
But as communities across central South Dakota have done time and again, neighbors stepped up to help neighbors.
When it became necessary to relocate residents from Highmore Health, health care providers across the region quickly came together to ensure every resident had a safe place to call home. Avera St. Mary’s Nursing Facility in Pierre, Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital and Good Samaritan Society both in Miller, Avera Missouri River Health Center along with the Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg all opened their doors to help patients and residents. In all, seven communities and health care facilities throughout the surrounding area stepped up to help and worked together to provide seamless continuity of care during an incredibly difficult and emotional time.
The collaboration didn’t stop there. As facilities worked together to balance capacity and meet residents’ needs, Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center’s Nursing Home in Wessington Springs also stepped in, welcoming four residents from Miller to help ease the transition and support the regional response.
“Behind the scenes, everyone involved during this challenging time stepped up wherever needed and offered reassurance to residents facing an unexpected change. Their efforts demonstrated what health care is truly about—people caring for people.” – shared Justin Hinker, VP of Post Acute Care, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.
While no community hopes to experience an emergency like this, the response serves as a reminder of one of South Dakota’s greatest strengths: a willingness to come together when others need help. Competition takes a back seat to compassion, and health care organizations work as one team with a shared goal of protecting patients and residents.
“The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) extends its sincere appreciation to Highmore Health, the teams in Miller, Gettysburg, Pierre, and Wessington Springs, the emergency responders, and every individual who played a role in ensuring residents remained safe and cared for throughout this transition,” said Hinker.
In moments of crisis, South Dakota health care doesn’t just respond—it comes together. And that spirit of collaboration continues to make our communities stronger.
