A Distance Learning and Telemedicine Investment Will Benefit a Seven-State, 66 County Area in the Upper Midwest
Huron, S.D., Oct. 7, 2020 – The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $985,399 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access at rural, sparsely staffed medical facilities in a seven-state (IA, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, and WY), 66 county area in the Upper Midwest through Avera Health’s Emergency Telemedicine Project.
“The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program helps communities acquire the technology and training necessary to connect educational and medical professionals with the teachers and medical providers who serve rural residents at the local level,” said Julie Gross USDA Rural Development South Dakota State Director. “This project will provide a more streamlined process for caring for patients by focusing on direct patient care delivered via telemedicine through eEmergency. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural America in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background: USDA is funding today’s announcement through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. The program helps health care and education institutions buy the equipment and software necessary to deploy distance-learning and telemedicine services to rural residents.
Avera Health’s Emergency Telemedicine Project brings interactive video and computer equipment that will be used for telehealth consultations with specialty care providers.
Avera Health is an integrated health system based in Sioux Falls, SD that provides top-quality health services. Avera serves a population of nearly one million throughout a geographical footprint of 72,000 square miles and 86 counties in the Upper Midwest. They offer a wide range of specialists throughout their innovative Avera eCARE telemedicine services available at more than 150 Avera clinics and doctors’ offices across the region.
Avera serves South Dakota and surrounding areas of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming through six regional centers in Aberdeen, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Yankton, SD, and Marshall, MN. Avera serves through 35 hospitals, 215 primary and specialty care clinics, 40 senior living facilities in addition to home care and hospice, sports and wellness facilities, home medical equipment outlets and more.
Avera’s systems serve 51 South Dakota counties and employs more than 19,000 individuals, making it South Dakota’s largest employer.
For more information on the DLT Program in South Dakota, contact General Field Representative Pat Hemen at 605-352-1143 or pat.hemen@usda.gov.
Today’s announcement is in conjunction with a larger announcement made by USDA where it is investing $72 million in 40 States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through the DLT Program. These investments will benefit more than 12 million rural residents.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/sd.
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