Story by Scott Poese, KBRX Radio
October 7 is a day that many in O’Neill, Nebraska, will remember for quite a while. At 5:55 am on October 7, 2024, an explosion rocked the town of O’Neill, an explosion that the impact was felt over 20 miles away. The St. Patrick’s Parish Center had exploded after a gas pipe was damaged by a car, and the fumes built up in the Center and eventually led to the devastating explosion.
This morning, Avera St. Anthony’s CEO John Kozyra, Brad Dusatko-Director of Support Services, Amy Langan-Director of Nursing Services and Nathan Johnson-Communications & Public Relations Partner all with Avera, gave Terry Miles of the Holt County Independent and Scott Poese of KBRX Radio an update on the one-year commemoration of that day.
Kozyra praised many for their assistance and help that day and also in the year after. Avera St. Anthony Employees, Providers, Board Members, Community Partners, Avera System Partners, First Responders, Senator Barry Dekay, St. Patrick’s Parish, Deb Kelly, West Holt Medical Services, Senator Deb Fischer, Media Members and others for all of their help.
Kozyra used the Mike Tyson quote, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Referring to that, this was a situation no one had been in, but everyone’s response was amazing. In a short period of time there was a clinic set up at the O’Neill Community Center that could provide immediate health care. The generators, which were next to the explosion, somehow survived, and they were soon up and running when needed. With the explosion right next to the Dialysis Unit, which had its window blown out, there were no injuries or loss of life.
Brad Dusatko stated that at the end of that day, the eerie feeling of walking around the building and having to lock the doors and for the first time in over 73 years the building was empty, not one nurse there and the lights were turned out.
This devastating event also changed the work day for many, and with support from the Avera Employee Assistance Program and St. Patrick’s Parish, they had a program to support emotional and spiritual recovery from the experience. They adopted the mantra of “Coming Back Stronger” and that’s just what they did.
John Kozyra, his staff, and contractors worked quickly, but as Kozyra stated, “we weren’t going to open up a service we provided until it was 100% ready.”
Just 4 days after the explosion, on October 10, 2024, Avera Medical Group O’Neill, Physical/Occupational Therapy, and the Sleep Lab reopened.
October 17, 2024, Outpatient Specialty Clinic, Lab, Pharmacy, and Non-Chemo Infusion and Cardiac Rehabilitation Services were reopened.
October 29, 2024, the Emergency Department (in a temporary space) and Inpatient Services were restored.
October 31, 2024, Surgery and Labor/Delivery Departments were open.
In November MRI service was restored.
January 4, 2025, Dialysis Service was reopened. During the time from the explosion until this date, Avera Transportation transported Dialysis patients to their facilities in Wagner and Yankton so patients could be treated.
February 12, 2025, the Emergency Department moved back to the permanent space.
Another of the “Coming Back Stronger” accomplishments is that through all of this Avera St. Anthony’s was able to do facility enhancements, welcome new providers, and also provide new services.
The damage of the explosion to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital was over 4.8 million dollars, and there are still some improvements that need to be made.
The boiler, which is over 50 years old, suffered damage and was repaired. However, the boiler requires over $3,000 of maintenance a month to keep it running properly. To replace the current system would be over 3 million dollars. The City of O’Neill in Collaborative Partnership with Avera St. Anthonys Hospital, contacted Senator Deb Fischer for assistance for Improved Healthcare Outcomes for a Rural Critical Access Hospital. Fischer advanced $18 million in federal funding for health care improvements and modernization projects across Nebraska, and requested over $3 million of that to help Avera St. Anthony’s boiler and water heating systems. Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital appreciates Senator Deb Fischers effort and is hopeful.
While October 7, 2024, was a devastating day, the strength of living in rural Nebraska, where we all come together has been no greater displayed than right here. Many will remember the generosity of 402 Beef Company who the day of the explosion, rushed to O’Neill with their grill and coolers full of hamburgers. They set up in the parking lot just north of Avera St. Anthony’s that day and fed first responders and volunteers at no charge. Today, October 7, 2025, Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital invited them back and fed all of the students, staff and faculty of St. Mary’s, local firefighters and first responders, as well as the staff at Avera St. Anthony’s.
The ”Coming Back Stronger” motto that was adopted has been greatly displayed and will continue as Avera St. Anthony’s works to provide the best health care in the area.
