Mission: Avera is a health ministry rooted in the gospel. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by christian values. Programs: Avera st. Luke's mission is to provide acute care and long-term healthcare services including skilled nursing, congregate living and assisted living (medicaid certified), of which there were 15,877 acute patient days, 1098 nursery patient days, 49,180 nursing home resident days, 150,309 clinic visits and 198,352 outpatient visits. Avera st. Luke's provides health care services to patients who meet certain criteria under its charity care policy without charge or at amounts less than established rates. Since the organization does not pursue collection of these amounts, they are not reported as patient service revenue. The amount of charges foregone for services provided under the organization's charity care policy was approximately $5,393,779 for the year ended june 30, 2014. The estimated cost of providing these services was $2,197,439 for the year ended june 30, 2014, calculated by multiplying the ratio of cost to gross charges for the organization by the gross uncompensated charges associated with providing charity care to its patients. Avera st. Luke's also provides community benefit health activities at less than or at no cost to support those in the area served. These activities include: donations/grants/educational scholarships, community education programs; special programs for the elderly, handicapped, and medically underserved; support for rural clinics; nursing staff for health centers serving minority populations; and a variety of broad community support activities. During the year ended june 30, 2014, specific activities included meals delivered to residential homes; senior resource programs for billing assistance; meeting facilities and programs for patients and families; assistance to health educators; emergency healthcare providers; wellness programs; and housing families of hospitalized patients. As a member of the avera health system, avera st. Luke's upholds the vision of the presentation and benedictine sisters to work through collaboration to provide a quality, effective health ministry and to improve the health care of individuals and our communities through a regionally integrated network of persons and institutions. Avera st. Luke's engages in activities (including a community health needs assessment) designed to improve the health of individuals and communities in response to a calling to heal the sick, the elderly, and the oppressed.
