Sisseton, SD – Benedictine Health System (BHS) will transfer ownership
of Tekakwitha Living Center (TLC) to Coteau des Prairies Hospital (CDP),
Sisseton, on or before January 1, 2016. CDP will become the sole corporate
member of Tekakwitha Nursing Center, Inc., the Minnesota nonprofit corporation
that owns and operates Tekakwitha Living Center.
According to CDP leadership, integrating TLC under the CDP Health Care
System will successfully provide for the healthcare needs of all ages.
“CDP Health Care System will now have the ability to offer an improved
continuum of local, personalized care for the community. Patients and
long-term residents of all ages will be able to progress through their
treatments seamlessly with comfort and efficiency,” said Michael
Coyle, CDP Health Care System CEO.
Pictured above: Michael Coyle, CEO, CDP Health Care System and Jim Corneilus,
CEO, Tekakwitha Living Center.
Founded in the 1960s by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and
acquired by BHS in 1994, TLC is the largest long term care facility in Roberts
County, employing 90 and serving an average of 58 residents each day.
TLC was named after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American who converted
to Catholicism and lived a life dedicated to prayer and care of the sick and aged.
The shared commitment of Benedictine Health System and the CDP Health
Care System Board to the Sisseton area has made this transfer of sponsorship
possible. Mary Carlson, chair of the CDP board said, “It is our
priority that this integration process will reassure our community that
with CDP Health Care System, high quality care will always be right here
at home.”.
“The healthcare landscape is changing. Expectations of residents,
referral sources and payors are all changing dramatically. These changes,
combined with an aging population present significant challenges to long
term care facilities,” explained Rocklon “Rocky” Chapin,
BHS CEO. “By transferring sponsorship of Tekakwitha to CDP, we are
seeking to continue its long tradition of serving the area’s residents
with compassionate, quality care.”
CDP Health Care System has been serving families for generations. Recent
years has seen a significant increase in emergency department and maternity
care utilization. As a result, CDP has significantly expanded the size
and scope of both facilities to meet the needs of the community. The clinic
operation has also seen an increase in demand for primary care services.
This has resulted in an expansion of the entire clinic operation. CDP
has expanded and upgraded whenever necessary to offer the latest in technological
advances. Their main concern has always been to provide the hometown personal
touch the community expects and deserves.
Jim Cornelius, administrator/CEO of TLC for the past 15 years, has been
very involved in community activities and has tirelessly worked at maintaining
a high standard of care for the residents of the Center. BHS will be working
closely with CDP to effect a smooth transition. “With CDP intending
to retain all TLC employees, the residents, who are our first priority,
should experience little change in their care after the transition,”
Cornelius said.
Tekakwitha will also continue to manage a 24-unit elderly housing facility
owned and operated by Tekakwitha Housing Corporation.