Avera cancer treatment facilities in Pierre, Aberdeen, Mitchell and Yankton will be getting some upgrades thanks to an infusion of nearly $10.2 million ($10,175,000) in federal funds.
The federal appropriation comes through the Labor Health and Human Services 2026 bill to enhance cancer care technology.
According to Avera, the money will be used to prepare for the replacement of linear accelerators at their regional cancer treatment institutes in Pierre, Aberdeen and Mitchell. The money will also be used to purchase a fixed PET/CT scanner for the Avera Cancer Institute in Yankton.
Avera Health President and CEO James Dover says this project addresses gaps in timely access to high-quality diagnostics and radiation treatment in rural and frontier areas. He says these investments will reduce travel burdens, improve patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care for underserved populations.
South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, included the request of Congressional Directed Spending to update diagnostic and radiation therapy cancer care equipment through Avera.
Recently, the Avera Cancer Institute in Pierre added an advanced surface-guided radiation therapy system to enhance treatment precision, safety and patient comfort– marking the first installation of the technology at an Avera location outside of Sioux Falls. The system uses advanced 3D camera technology to track patient positioning in real time, helping ensure radiation treatments are delivered exactly as planned. If a patient moves beyond the acceptable range, the system pauses radiation delivery, reducing the risk of exposure to healthy tissue and organs, such as the heart and liver, without the need for additional imaging.
The system is especially beneficial for patients receiving left-sided breast cancer treatment, as well as others whose therapies require careful motion management, including breast and thoracic treatments.
Dr. Andrew Figura, board-certified radiation oncology specialist at the Avera Cancer Institute in Pierre, said the technology gives an added layer of confidence that each treatment is being delivered exactly as intended. He said it’s especially helpful during deep breath holds, when even small changes in positioning can occur. The system helps ensure treatments stay precise from start to finish.
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