This year brings a significant milestone for Avera Marshall–our 75th anniversary.

May 25, 2025, will mark 75 years since the doors first opened to serve our community. It’s a milestone that has us looking back on our roots.

A legacy of compassion

Our story began with a generous donation from Ben and Julius Weiner in memory of their father, Louis. Their gift helped establish Louis Weiner Memorial Hospital, ensuring that high-quality health care would be accessible to all–including those who were underserved or unable to pay. It’s remarkable how this original vision aligns with our Avera mission today.

At the time, we weren’t the only hospital taking shape in the region. The post-World War II era saw a boom in hospital construction. The first city-owned hospital in Granite Falls opened in 1946, and A.L. Vadheim Memorial Hospital in Tyler followed in 1958.

When the 55-bed Louis Weiner Memorial Hospital opened in 1950 on the current Avera Marshall campus, it stood on the edge of town surrounded by open fields.

How times have changed. Today, the 1950 building is just a portion of our Bruce Street medical campus, and we are surrounded by great neighbors — both businesses and homes.

Then vs. now: How health care evolved

The buildings and neighborhood aren’t all that has changed over the decades. Since 1950, the evolution of health care has brought major advances in medicine, shorter hospital stays, higher acuity levels of patients, a shift toward more outpatient care and increased specialization in our team’s training and roles. Even the tools we use and the way we dress have changed dramatically.

.Over the years, some major milestones in our history include:

• May 25, 1950: Official opening of the Louis Weiner Memorial Hospital

• 1960: Work began on an expansion project to add patient rooms, a children’s ward, delivery room and increased space for x-ray and lab

• 1963: Nursing home addition opens

• 1977: New hospital building project completed forming Weiner Memorial Medical Center

• 1983: Began offering same day surgery

• 2004: Formed partnership with Avera Health and renamed Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center

• January 2009: Marshall City Council voted in favor of selling the municipal hospital to Avera with the official change in ownership occurring in November 2009

• 2007: Opened inpatient Behavioral Health Center

• 2015: Opened Avera Cancer Institute

• 2018: Opened Dialysis Center

• Today: Tradition of caring continues as we continue to expand the range of health care services available locally

What hasn’t changed?

0ur mission and dedication

From the beginning, our mission has been clear: to provide quality, compassionate care for all, especially the poor and vulnerable. That same dedication continues today as part of Avera. While we’ve only been part of Avera since 2004, it’s incredible to see how our founding principles align with the legacy of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters who established Avera’s mission of care.

Another constant?

The dedication of our caregivers. Some of our team members have been with us for decades and others have just joined “Team Green.” Regardless of their length of service, we value the role each employee plays in our legacy of compassionate service and the difference they make in the lives of our patients.

Most of all, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve the health needs of our community and to be part of the history of Marshall.

Here’s to 75 years–and many more to come!

— Debbie Streier is regional president and CEO of Avera Marshall