Avera Cancer Institute Celebrates Grand Opening, Marking a New Era of Cancer Care in Yankton

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting was held Friday, June 26, at the Avera Cancer Institute in the Ness Family Center.

Opening of the $17 million facility, which began welcoming patients in early June, marks a new era of cancer care for Yankton. The previous Avera Cancer Institute location in Yankton had radiation oncology services, while medical oncology and infusion services were located in Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. 

“The new Avera Cancer Institute location offers medical oncology, radiation oncology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical research, genetic counseling and other support services in one location instead of across two locations in Yankton,” said Victoria Hanson, Regional President and CEO of Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. “Having all services in one place aligns the Yankton center with Avera’s oncology locations in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre and Sioux Falls, SD, and Marshall, MN, ensuring that patients receive the same, consistent experience.”

Avera Cancer Institute’s six regional centers and dozens of outreach and telemedicine sites make up the only accredited cancer care network in the region, with accreditations from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (COC) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI).

“Today is about much more than opening a new building. It's about creating a beautiful, healing space that will make a positive impact for patients and families across Yankton and the surrounding region,” said Katie VanBeek, the Vice President for Oncology at Avera. “Here, patients can access a whole host of first-class cancer resources under one roof. That means more time focused on what matters most – healing, hope and spending time with loved ones. This building is more than bricks and mortar. It is a reflection of our mission, our people and our commitment to ensuring that patients in this community can receive high-quality cancer care close to home.”

A portion of the funding for the project came from the Avera Foundation’s $7 million “Building Hope Here” campaign, which is near its goal but still accepting donations. The building the Avera Cancer Institute resides in is called the Ness Family Center to honor the generosity of Larry and Diane Ness. The fundraising campaign kicked off with a significant lead gift from the Nesses, as well as a $500,000 dollar-for-dollar match for community donations they helped provide through First Dakota National Bank.

The grand opening event featured speakers sharing the significance of the project, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Yankton Thrive and tours.

“This is a very special place – and one reason is that hope lives within these walls,” Hanson said. “Supporters of the project wrote messages of support to the patients and their loved ones who will seek care here on the framework of the walls around the building as it was being constructed. Today, I invite you to feel the strength of those prayers and intentions as you walk through this beautiful facility.”

Contributions are still being collected for the “Building Hope Here” campaign. Go to averafoundation.org/buildinghopehere to learn more.