Dell Rapids Public School

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Medical History

While Dell Rapids residents take pride in working and playing hard, the city and surrounding community also takes pride in its quality medical services. Health care in Dell Rapids began in the late 1800’s.

The first hospital care was provided by Dr. C. A. Butler and his wife, a nurse, in their home at the corner of 4th Street and State Avenue.  In 1907, two physicians joined their practices to establish a clinic.  The partnership of Doctors M. M. Grove and J. B. Eagan furnished hospital facilities for surgical procedures and other medical services in rooms above the Granite City Bank in the Smith Block.

In 1915, a new 16-bed hospital was built through community support.  As the hospital’s medical and surgical departments flourished, the facility became known as a regional medical center. In later years individuals in the medical field that were reared in Dell Rapids have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally.   For example, Doctor Roger Haugen refined the Heimlich Maneuver to treat choke victims and Doctor Robert Voy served as the Chief Medical Officer for the United States Olympic Teams from 1979 to 1987.

The new medical center also offered a 3-year nursing school program that operated until 1936.  In addition to the intensive class work taught by the doctors and pharmacist William Voy, the program also included intensive bedside training provided by the Director of Nursing.  The graduates were qualified to take the South Dakota State Board Examinations to become registered nurses.  Nine dedicated nurses were graduated in the first class. Along with top-notch medical care training, nursing students were furnished living quarters at a home located at 4th and Iowa Street.

Another house, popularly called the “Doctor’s House,” was built by Doctor O. O. Sawyer at the corner of 5th and LaDelle and over the years was occupied by Doctors Eagan, Housman and Fisk and their families until Fisk retired in 1977. The general practice of Doctors M. M. and A. F. Grove and Doctor J. B. Eagan included abdominal, thoracic and traumatic cases involving skull and brain injuries.  The surgical skill of Doctors M. M. and A. F. Grove was widely acclaimed.  These two physicians had received their training from some of the same instructors who taught the world famous doctors, Charles and William Mayo, founders of the Mayo Clinic.

While Doctor M.M. Grove died in 1928 and Dr. Eagan suffered a stroke in 1940, the hospital and clinic continued. In 1948 and 1957, Doctors P. K. Aspaas and R. G. Fisk joined the medical practice of A. F. Grove.

Responding to the need for a larger, more modern medical facility, a new community hospital was opened in 1960. Several hospital expansions have provided better laboratory facilities, a physical therapy unit, and an extensive wellness center.  Some rooms are specially equipped for coronary and intensive care. The Wellness Center, with its post-coronary, post-surgery and orthopedic rehabilitation departments, never rests as it constantly adds new equipment. Ambulances staffed with paramedics and emergency medical technicians respond to the community’s emergency transportation needs.

The old hospital was used as a clinic until 1981 when a new physician’s clinic building was built next to the hospital to house laboratory and X-ray facilities. The old hospital and clinic building was converted to a senior citizens center. Dental care is well staffed with excellent dentists and modern facilities.

If custodial care is needed, Dell Rapids has a tradition of professional, quality care that dates back to 1910 when the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges built a home for the care of children and elderly men. The memories associated by the “Home Kids” causes many former residents to gather for reunions … as in 1990. In addition to the Odd Fellows Home, Terrace Manor, A licensed nursing care complex, is available for custodial care. Friendship Villages one and two are among other multiple-unit housing facilities available to area citizens.