Historically, St. Anthony’s Hospital began with the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Denver, who opened a school for the O’Neill area in the early 1900’s.  In 1950, the O’Neill community requested the Sisters of St. Francis to expand the existing Doctors Brown and French Hospital.  The Sisters undertook the project and with a local fund drive, the first building was completed.  On September 25, 1952, they opened St. Anthony’s Hospital.

With Hill-Burton federal funds and a second fund drive, an addition was completed in 1975 to accommodate expanding health services.  In 1989, the Hospital Board was restructured and committees in finance and strategic planning were established in order to expand community involvement and the management of the hospital.  Also, in 1989, a foundation was established to generate funds solely for the benefit of St. Anthony’s Hospital.

In February 1998, the sponsorship of St. Anthony’s Hospital was transferred to the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton, South Dakota.  The Benedictine Sisters are blessed with a rich health-care tradition that spans more than 100 years.  With this tradition comes the responsibility for vigilance and innovation in caring for the sick as if he or she were Christ.

The Benedictine Sisters of Yankton and Presentation of Sisters of Aberdeen, South Dakota are Co-Sponsors of Avera Health.  The name change to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital on September 9, 1998 was a result of this association.