Avera Queen of Peace Hospital is pleased to announce that Mitchell Clinic will be joining its network of family medicine providers on April 1, 2025. It will become Avera Mitchell Clinic once the acquisition is complete.
“We are excited to welcome the five providers at Mitchell Clinic, along with their support team of approximately 30 employees to our health care ministry,” said Dr. Hilary Rockwell, Regional President and CEO of Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. “This partnership is based upon our common goal of providing ready access to high-quality care to patients in the Mitchell area. Mitchell Clinic has an outstanding reputation, and we look forward to collaborating with them to continue that legacy.”
Mitchell Clinic is an independent practice that specializes in primary care, including management of chronic health conditions, among patients of all ages. It has been in the community since July 1958. Providers at the practice are Michael Gerlach, MD; Douglas Holum, MD; Paul Rasmussen, MD; Sarah Goral, PA-C; and Gina Hawkins, PA-C.
“As we evaluated the future of Mitchell Clinic in the context of the changing landscape of health care in our region, we spent a lot of time discerning how we could best serve our patients,” Dr. Rasmussen said. “Avera shares our commitment to having caregivers in Mitchell who will enable patients to get their care close to home. We have had the privilege of serving the health care needs in our community for many years and are excited for what this partnership will allow us to continue to do for our patients.”
Patients who are acquainted with Mitchell Clinic can expect few changes after April 1. They will have access to the same providers in the caring atmosphere they have come to know at the clinic. The location and phone number of the clinic will not change.
“While we don’t foresee many changes in the day-to-day operations of Mitchell Clinic, we do look forward to increased collaboration between its family medicine providers and our various specialists so we can continue to find ways to improve the patient experience,” Rockwell said. “We know how important it is to patients to have care close to home with experts they know and trust. Adding Mitchell Clinic to the Avera system will provide opportunities to deepen our relationship and improve upon that common goal.”