Freeman hospital groundbreaking marks expansion of rural healthcare

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 01:32 · Archive

Freeman Regional Health Services has broken ground on a new 48,000-square-foot hospital and clinic campus in South Dakota.

Freeman Regional Health Services held a groundbreaking Tuesday for a new 48,000-square-foot hospital and clinic campus in Freeman, South Dakota, to replace its current facility which staff say is showing its age. The site sits west of Highway 81 between 6th Street and 279th Street. Freeman Regional Health Services will operate the new facility under Avera, which has served patients in Freeman, Marion, Menno and Bridgewater since 1952.

The new campus will include inpatient services, an emergency department, laboratory, radiology, therapy services and a helipad. CEO Courtney Unruh said the facility would expand 'primary and specialty clinic services, imaging, radiology, laboratory, and therapy services, all in a modern, efficient facility designed to serve our communities well into the future'. Board chair Lori Uecker noted that 'each patient's room will be bigger' and said remodelling options for the existing building 'couldn't get it up to the standards that we wanted'.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of rural healthcare access. Unruh said 'Our residents here in Freeman, they deserve the same health care as anyone else in Sioux Falls or any other community'. Uecker added that having an emergency room and clinic in town meant residents would not have to travel far. Governor Larry Rhoden spoke at the ceremony, announcing that the state has 'already invested over $100 million in rural healthcare, and that number will approach a billion dollars in the next five years'. All phases are expected to be completed by spring 2028.

How it is being reported

• Freeman celebrates groundbreaking of new hospitalFreeman celebrates start of new hospital and clinic constructionDakotanewsnow · 21 Oct, 01:13
• 'Very crucial': Ground breaks for new hospital and clinic in FreemanFREEMAN, S.D. (KELO) -- A small South Dakota town is set to welcome a new healthcare facility. Crews are beginning work on a more than 48,000-square-foot campus along Highway 81 in Freeman. Freeman Regional Health Services held a groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for a campus that will replace the current facility, which staff say is starting [...]Keloland · 21 Oct, 00:07

In this story: Freeman Regional Health Services · Freeman · South Dakota · Courtney Unruh · Lori Uecker · Larry Rhoden · Avera

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