Avera and Yankton Medical Clinic Sign Professional Services Agreement

Avera and Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., (YMC) are pleased to announce a professional services agreement (PSA) between the two organizations that will initiate a strategic collaboration designed to enhance health care access and strengthen physician recruitment across the region. The PSA goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Over the past year, Avera and YMC explored ways to strengthen health care in the Yankton region, resulting in the PSA decision. This partnership allows YMC to remain an independent medical practice while also building increased collaboration with Avera that reflects a shared commitment to the communities both organizations serve to expand access to high-quality, specialized medical care close to home.

"This new PSA is a great benefit to our patients and the region. By working together, we are creating a level of medical expertise that is remarkable for a rural area like ours," said Becky McManus, CEO of Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C.

"This partnership brings together the two strongest health care brands in our region and better aligns our organizations' resources to strengthen access, quality, care coordination and sustainability for the communities we serve," said Victoria Hanson, Regional President and CEO for Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. "We provide care to many of the same patients, and our increased collaboration will more comprehensively serve all our current and new patients. Both patients and providers will benefit from this vision."

Dr. Brent Adams, President, Board of Directors, Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C. adds, "This agreement is not a purchase. The Yankton Medical Clinic will remain a separate, independent organization. This is a collaboration between Yankton Medical Clinic and Avera Sacred Heart and is being done to ensure that the Yankton area has first-rate quality health care into the foreseeable future."

He continues, "This agreement has been modeled similar to the one between Avera and North Central Heart which collectively operate the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. We view Avera Sacred Heart as a valued partner in achieving our shared goal - providing accessible, high-quality and specialized health care for the Yankton service area."

Goals of working together include high-quality care, recruitment of physicians and other medical professionals, use of the same electronic medical record and streamlined access to services including outpatient hospital services. Patients will receive care from the same providers as in the past.

"Collaboration, not competition, is the foundation of our decision. Jointly, we hope to foster a thriving medical sector for the region that continues to make Yankton a destination for a wide breadth of health care services that are unique for a community its size. We all recognize it's in the best interest of the community and patients if we're working together," Hanson said.