Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center

Benefits/Financial: Employees working 18 or more hours per week are offered a 403(b) plan with employer match and a defined-benefit plan. Those working 19 or more hours per week are also offered a cash-balance plan. All new hires and all employees are automatically enrolled in the 403(b) plan, employees age 50 and over can make catch-up contributions to their plan, and plan participants may invest in lifecycle funds that automatically re-allocate assets based on age or proximity to retirement.

Staff from the financial services firm that administers the retirement plan provides financial information and training to employees.

Short-term and long-term leaves of absence without pay and paid time off are offered to allow for caregiving.

Full- and part-time employees are offered flu shots, health screenings, health risk appraisals, smoking cessation programs, health club discounts, physical activity and weight loss programs, health coaching and stress management training.

AMH offers referral services to assist with child care and grandchild care to its full- and part-time employees.  

Benefits/Alternative Work Arrangements: The following alternative work arrangements are offered to full- and part-time employees: flextime, compressed work schedules, job sharing and telecommuting. Full-time employees are eligible to move to part-time work on a permanent or temporary basis.  

Opportunities for Retirees: AMH has 475 retirees and an individual directly responsible for retiree relations. The hospital stays connected with its retirees by communicating regularly, inviting retirees to organization events and by formally acknowledging retirees upon retirement.

'Avera Ambassadors' is a group, composed mainly of retirees, that includes hospital auxiliary members and volunteers. The ambassadors represent the health center at special events, raise funds in support of the hospital's mission and attend monthly luncheon meetings  

The Avera McKennan 'LAMPS' program (Loyal Ambassadors of the Mission of the Pioneer Sisters) consists of employees with 25 or more years of service. LAMPS members represent AMH at events such as celebrations, open houses and groundbreakings, as well as employee teas and retirement parties.

Work opportunities offered to retirees include: temporary work assignments, consulting or contract work, and telecommuting, as well as full- and part-time work.

Age of Workforce: Thirty-two percent of AMH employees are age 50 or above. The average tenure of those employees is 9 years.

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