WASHINGTON- Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development has awarded a $396,693 competitive grant to Avera Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is partnering with hospitals in Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux counties, through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.
"This money will help purchase technology to increase efficiency at rural hospitals while improving care for patients,” Grassley said.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program helps encourage, improve and make affordable the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related technology for rural communities to improve access to education and medical services.
Avera Health will use the money to help purchase video conferencing and telemedicine devices to connect 16 rural hospitals and clinics with regional medical resources at sites in Sioux Falls, Yankton and Aberdeen. The project should help provide telehealth specialty consultation, teleradiology and eEmergency care for Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux counties as well as parts of South Dakota and Minnesota.
Each year, thousands of local Iowa organizations, colleges and universities, individuals and state agencies apply for competitive grants and loans from the federal government. The funding is then awarded based on each local organization or individual’s ability to meet criteria set by the federal entity.