“A Center Of Excellence In Rural Health Care And Customer Service.” Hot Springs , South Dakota The Medical Center Location The Medical Center is located in historic Hot Springs, South Dakota, southern gateway to the beautiful Black Hills. Clean, fresh mountain air and a myriad of outdoor activities make Hot Springs a favorite family community. The city offers the warmth and friendliness of a small town atmosphere, while less than an hour’s drive from the urban center of Rapid City, SD. Primary Service Area (PSA) The primary service area (PSA) includes twenty counties in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Currently there are more than 32,000 veterans living within the PSA. This number is expected to remain stable through the year 2000. Approximately fifty-eight percent of the veterans reside 100 miles or more from the Medical Center. The Medical Center maintains Rural Health Clinics in Rushville and Alliance, Nebraska, and in Newcastle, Wyoming. Sharing Agreements Services are shared with the community hospital, State Veterans Home, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Indian Health Service at Pine Ridge and Kyle on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Rosebud Reservation, and with Ft. Meade VAMC. Facility Characteristics Constructed of native sandstone in Spanish mission style, the domiciliary, originally known as Battle Mountain Sanitorium, was completed in 1907. The hospital, added in 1925, with additions in 1938, 1949 and continuing renovation, make it a viable, modern-day facility. The unique sandstone buildings have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Facilities and Services The Hot Springs VA Medical Center consists of a 148 bed general medical/surgical hospital and a 240 bed domiciliary. The Medical Center provides primary and secondary care for veterans. In addition to medical, surgical and psychiatric beds, the facility houses a 30 bed substance abuse unit, 6 bed multipurpose intensive care unit, and a 3 chair dialysis unit. Support services include pulmonary function, rehabilitation, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and CT scanner. Staff Professionals in the medical and administrative field are available to ensure veterans receive quality health care consistent with our mission. The VAMC is the area’s primary employer, and provides its employees with many excellent benefits and services. It encourages additional training for its employees, and also appreciates their strong community involvement. THE COMMUNITY Climate Average Annual Mean Temperature: 47.8° Average Monthly Mean Temperature: 50.5° January: 31.4° F July: 74.7° F Heating Degree Days: 6,940 Cooling Degree Days: 701 Average Annual Rainfall: 17.53 inches Average Annual Snowfall: 26.70 inches Prevailing Winds: Northwest in winter Southeast in summer Activities and Sports Summer activities abound, with excellent boating, water skiing, camping, fishing and hunting. Majestic Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park and Angostura Reservoir are all a short distance from Hot Springs. Famous Evan’s Plunge— warm springs indoor swimming and excellent health club—is located within the city to provide year-round enjoyment. Wildlife is abundant in the National Parks, the National Forests and on the plains surrounding the Black Hills. Game is plentiful for hunters. Nature lovers will find an abundance of flora and fauna year-round. Educational Opportunities The elementary, junior and senior high school facilities are centrally located. Nearby institutions of higher learning are located in Rapid City and Spearfish, South Dakota, and in Chadron, Nebraska. Health Care Professionals Community health care services include a modern hospital and nursing home, three clinics, dental and eye clinics and the South Dakota State Veterans’ Home. SD State Income Tax South Dakota residents are not required to pay state income tax. Housing Housing is available on either a purchase or rental basis and represents all price ranges. Sites for new home construction are also available in close proximity to the community, while providing a maximum of beautiful country living. Transportation Air service is available from Rapid City, 56 miles away, with connecting flights to most major cities. The Hot Springs airport is available for private and charter flights. Twenty-four hour taxi service is available. Community Support Hot Springs offers churches of varying denominations, a city library, service clubs for the entire family, veterans organizations, art and cultural organizations. The community has a radio station, weekly newspaper, golf course, trap shooting range, tennis courts, World's Largest Natural Warm Water Indoor Swimming Pool! Mammoth Site A rare paleontological dig site, popularly called the “Mammoth Site” attracts thousands of visitors to Hot Springs. The Mammoth Site has been designated as a “National Natural Landmark” by the Department of the Interior, and is one of the rarest paleontological sites in North America. Some of the finest examples of turn-of- the-century architecture can be seen in the many beautiful sandstone buildings located throughout the town. and parks. The new city civic center is the location of an annual concert series, various music programs, the Miss South Dakota Scholarship Pageant, sports programs, conventions and a variety of other entertainment. GENERAL INFORMATION VA Medical Center Hot Springs, SD 57747 Phone: (605) 745-2000 North Dakota SOUTH DAKOTA HOT SPRINGS Medical Center v-US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1993-840 151 Nebraska