Avera eyes changes: Roscoe Therapy Clinic closes, expanded Aberdeen services still planned

Elisa Sand, Aberdeen News
·3 min read
While Avera Health is resizing and closing Roscoe Therapy Clinic, there are still plans to expand services in Aberdeen.
While Avera Health is resizing and closing Roscoe Therapy Clinic, there are still plans to expand services in Aberdeen.

While Avera has yet to determine the number of positions it will eliminate following its announcement that it plans to resize, the heath care network has made one big decision -- to close the Roscoe Therapy Clinic.

The physical therapy clinic is closed and no longer listed on the Avera website.

According to previous American News reports, Dr. Sandra Frickson started providing physical therapy services in Roscoe in 2020. Confirmation that the clinic was closed came from Avera Director of Media Relations Cale Feller.

But, Feller said, patients can still receive physical therapy services in other communities, including at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

More: Avera Health's resizing will eliminate nonclinical jobs networkwide due to high costs

As for other medical services provided by Avera, those are being reassessed. According to Feller, changes could include consolidating locations or collaborating with other community partners to provide services.

Avera confirmed Monday evening that, due to rising expenses, it is resizing and some nonclinical jobs will be eliminated. Avera cited a 25% to 40% increase in costs for items that include paper products, common medical supplies, software technology and more.

Details about Avera's restructuring still being worked out

Exactly what that resizing will look like, however is not fully known. Feller said Avera is "working to get our organization in the right place with both labor and non-labor expenses."

That's happening, he said, across the entire Avera system during several months, so the number of jobs to be eliminated is not being shared yet.

More: As he readies to move, Avera's Todd Forkel sees Meyer Center of Excellence as his legacy

The overall percentage reduction, he said, will be limited with some employees given the opportunity to transfer into other open positions with Avera Health.

At the same time, Avera is also actively hiring direct caregivers, line nurses and patient care technicians, Feller said.

Construction still planned in Aberdeen

Earlier this year, Avera St. Luke's announced plans for expansions and improvements. Feller said the heath care provider continues to be focused on growth strategies, and timelines for those projects are being finalized.

More: $17.25M Avera expansion coming to Aberdeen for behavioral, women's health, other services

Those plans include a $17.25 million investment to expand behavioral health options, women's services and orthopedics in Aberdeen. The work is being funded through a combination of money set aside for capital improvements and fundraising by the Avera Foundation.

While Avera Health is resizing and closing Roscoe Therapy Clinic, there are still plans to expand services in Aberdeen, including building a mental health and well-being building.
While Avera Health is resizing and closing Roscoe Therapy Clinic, there are still plans to expand services in Aberdeen, including building a mental health and well-being building.

The improvements include:

  • Renovations to the women’s center on the fourth floor of the Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

  • Renovation of the orthopedics clinic at 701 Eighth Ave. N.W.

  • The construction of a new, free-standing, in-patient behavioral health facility with clinic services for mental health care and well-being. It will be next to the Avera St. Luke's Physicians Plaza in the 200 block of South Lloyd Street. Plans include demolition of the west half of the Physicians Plaza to make room for the new building.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Avera closes Roscoe Therapy clinic, still plans Aberdeen upgrades