Avera Sacred Heart Named Among Great Community Hospitals
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D., has named to Becker's Hospital Review’s Great Community Hospitals list for 2026, released June 2.
The 100 hospitals on this list prove that extraordinary care is not the exclusive domain of large academic medical centers or major metropolitan health systems. Working within real-world resource constraints, these community hospitals deliver expert clinical care, drive local innovation and serve as economic cornerstones for the regions they call home.
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is one of only 11 hospitals in the nation to have been named a Chartis Center for Rural Health “Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital” every year the list has been released. The hospital appeared in the top 20 in 2020, 2022, 2025 and 2026.
In June 2026, the hospital completed a $17 million renovation project creating a new Avera Cancer Institute location at the Avera Fox Run Health Campus in Yankton, consolidating medical oncology, radiation oncology, chemotherapy infusion, clinical research, genetic counseling and support services under one roof. Also in April 2026, the hospital added a da Vinci robotic surgical system, expanding minimally invasive surgical capabilities for patients in the region.
These hospitals demonstrate that accessible, affordable care close to home isn't just an operational goal, but a promise to their neighbors. Becker's is proud to celebrate the dedication, resilience and impact of these community hospitals.
The Becker's Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations and curated the list to highlight the great work of community hospitals across the nation.
For more information about Avera, visit Avera.org.