BILLINGS, Montana — Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital anunció hoy que recibió una extraordinaria donación de $5 millones de parte de la Fortin Family Foundation. Esta inversión clave ampliará el acceso a servicios pediátricos avanzados para niños y familias en Montana, Wyoming y el oeste de las Dakotas. 

“Desde hace muchos años, la Fortin Family Foundation apoya a St. Vincent, y nos honra ser una de las principales aliadas en este proyecto que tendrá un gran impacto”, dijo Danielle Moore, presidenta de la Fortin Family Foundation. “Nos enorgullece ayudar a impulsar esta visión, que marcará el futuro de la atención médica en Montana y garantizará una atención excepcional y compasiva para las próximas generaciones”.  

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital buscará reunir apoyo filantrópico integral para cuatro áreas fundamentales: el nuevo hospital de última generación, tecnología y equipos avanzados, excelencia clínica y ampliación de servicios y programas transformadores. La campaña está diseñada para que cada donante tenga una oportunidad de apoyar el área de atención médica que más le importe. La Fortin Family Foundation destinó su aporte a ampliar los servicios pediátricos. 

“El generoso apoyo de la Fortin Family Foundation demuestra su profundo compromiso con la salud y el bienestar de nuestra comunidad”, dijo Tyler Wiltgen, director ejecutivo de filantropía de Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. Esta importante donación fortalecerá nuestra visión de ofrecer atención pediátrica del más alto nivel e inspirará a otros a sumarse a nuestro esfuerzo por construir un futuro más saludable para la región. 

Durante generaciones, St. Vincent Regional Hospital ha acompañado a niños y familias de toda la región como un aliado de confianza, con servicios pediátricos que se han adaptado para responder a necesidades cada vez mayores y más complejas. Los aportes filantrópicos, incluido el apoyo sostenido de la Fortin Family Foundation, han ayudado a que más personas accedan a atención especializada, a fortalecer alianzas y a acercar los servicios a las comunidades rurales. Cabe destacar que donaciones anteriores apoyaron la creación y el crecimiento de la Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, desarrollada en colaboración con Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital y la University of Utah. Gracias a esta clínica, las familias de Montana pueden acceder a especialistas pediátricos de primer nivel sin salir del estado. 

Esta nueva donación se suma a ese legado y permitirá fortalecer aún más la atención pediátrica, incluidos la única unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del este de Montana, una avanzada unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales de nivel III y el único programa de cirugía pediátrica de la región. Estas inversiones reflejan el compromiso continuo de garantizar que los niños y sus familias tengan acceso a una atención compasiva y de alta calidad, reducir la necesidad de viajar y favorecer mejores resultados para los pacientes y sus familias. Esta donación representa una de las inversiones en atención médica más importantes en la historia de Montana y refleja el compromiso de brindar atención integral y de alta calidad. 

La campaña de St. Vincent Regional Hospital representa una visión integral. Esta es una oportunidadúnica‑en‑una‑generación para construir un nuevocampus hospitalariode‑‑vanguardia‑y fortalecer los servicios que salvan vidas en las próximas décadas. Todo esto busca transformar la atención médica, ampliar el acceso a los servicios y garantizar que las personas puedan recibir atención excepcional cerca de sus hogares. 

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Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, today announced an extraordinary $5 million gift from The Fortin Family Foundation. 

The leadership investment will expand access to advanced pediatric services for children and families across Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas. 

“Building on a longstanding commitment to St. Vincent, The Fortin Family Foundation is honored to serve as a lead partner in this transformational effort,” said Danielle Moore, president of The Fortin Family Foundation. “We are proud to help advance a vision that will shape the future of healthcare in Montana and ensure exceptional, compassionate care for generations to come.”  

The Campaign for St. Vincent Regional Hospital will secure comprehensive philanthropic support for four essential pillars: the new state-of-the-art hospital, advanced technology and equipment, clinical excellence and expanded services, and transformational programs. The campaign is designed to offer every donor a meaningful opportunity to support the area of health care that matters most to them. The Fortin Family Foundation directed their commitment to expand pediatric services. 

“The Fortin Family Foundation’s extraordinary generosity reflects a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Tyler Wiltgen, executive director of philanthropy at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital. “This leadership gift will strengthen our vision for world-class pediatric care and inspire others to join us in shaping a healthier future for the region.” 

For generations, St. Vincent Regional Hospital has been a trusted partner in caring for children and families across the region, continually evolving its pediatric services to meet growing and complex needs. 

Philanthropic investments, including longstanding support from The Fortin Family Foundation, have helped expand access to specialty care, strengthen partnerships, and bring services closer to home for rural communities. 

Notably, prior gifts supported the creation and growth of The Fortin Pediatric Specialty Clinic, developed in collaboration with Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah, connecting families in Montana to leading pediatric expertise without leaving the state. 

This latest gift builds on that legacy and will further enhance pediatric care, including eastern Montana’s only pediatric intensive care unit, an advanced Level III neonatal intensive care unit, and the region’s only pediatric surgery program. 

These investments reflect a continued commitment to ensuring children and families have access to high-quality, compassionate care, reducing the need for travel and supporting better outcomes for patients and their families. This gift represents one of the most significant healthcare investments in Montana’s history and reflects a commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality care. 

The Campaign for Intermountain St. Vincent Regional Hospital represents a comprehensive vision. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to build a new, state‑of‑the‑art hospital campus and strengthen lifesaving services for decades to come. All designed to transform care, expand access, and ensure that extraordinary healthcare remains close to home. 

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It began with numbness in her hand for teenager Kloe Cummins, a junior at Lodge Grass High School, while she was at volleyball practice. Cummins drove herself 20 miles to receive care in Crow Agency.   

While being evaluated, she began to have facial drooping, pointing to a potential neurological problem. She needed a higher-level of care and was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent Regional Hospital. Upon arrival and after running several more tests, the team at St. Vincent determined that Cummins was having a stroke due to a clot in her brain, blocking blood flow, a rare occurrence for someone at the age of 15.  

 "When suffering a stroke, every second counts. Even in young patients, recognizing symptoms and receiving quick treatment are the most important factors in a patient's outcome," shared Dr. James Richards, Medical Director of the St. Vincent Stroke Program. 

 Because of access to an innovative thrombectomy procedure now offered at St. Vincent, Cummins could be treated at St. Vincent. A St. Vincent specialist performed the procedure, guided by imaging technology, using a catheter device to remove the clot blocking blood flow to the brain. Until recently, this advanced stroke care was primarily offered out-of-state in large medical centers in urban areas.   

 "The ability to keep patients close to home and save time when it is most crucial are the driving forces for growing our interventional stroke program and adding this new state-of-the-art technology," shared Dr. Richards. "We are so proud to be able to offer this advanced level of lifesaving care to patients like Kloe right here in Billings." 

 St. Vincent stroke specialists have performed around 100 thrombectomy procedures in the almost two years since offering this advanced level of stroke care. Cummins was the first pediatric patient to undergo the operation.  

Cummins symptoms began to improve immediately following the procedure, as she recovered under the care of the pediatric team at St. Vincent. While in the hospital, Cummins also received tremendous support from family and friends.    

"In those first days, she had 30 or 40 visitors in the hospital," shared her mother, Nicole Real Bird. "There was a lot of support from the community; everyone was praying."  

After leaving the hospital, she began rehabilitation, and after just two sessions, she started to shoot a basketball again. She continued her rehab and recovery at home and has made incredible progress.   

Six months later, Cummins is back to full strength and is in the starting line-up for the Lodge Grass Girls Basketball team, participating in the divisional basketball tournament in Billings. Cummins made a critical basket and secured a game-winning rebound in a victory over Shephard High School on February 28.  

 Watching her daughter competing at a high level after what she had been through just months earlier, Real Bird shed “tears of happiness.”  

 "Every time she is able to go out on court, I am so grateful," shared Real Bird. "The care she received was such a blessing."  

Billings Fire Department captain Chris Lowe was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect when he was just 18 years old. During a sports physical, his doctor noticed a heart murmur, and after additional testing, they determined that he had a bicuspid aortic valve.   

A typical aortic valve has three cusps (or flaps) that control blood flow. In Lowe’s case, his valve only had two. While he was young, healthy, and not experiencing any symptoms, his doctors shared that he would be okay, but eventually he may need to have his valve replaced. With a bicuspid aortic valve, as you age, there is a risk that the valve can narrow or not close tightly, reducing or interfering with blood flow through the body.   

 Lowe continued an active, healthy lifestyle, joining the Billings Fire Department in the early 2000s. He continued to see his doctor and began getting more regular echocardiograms when he was in his late 30s.    

 It was about a year ago that Lowe began noticing changes. Now 40 and with 20 years at the fire department, he regularly exercised, including attending a spin class at the YMCA. Over a couple of months, Lowe had passed out twice while exercising, once while running, and a second time after a spin class.  

“I played it off,” he said. “I made excuses like it was too hot or I was dehydrated.”  

It wasn’t until last May, while playing basketball at the station, when he passed out a third time that his colleagues transported him to St. Vincent Regional Hospital. It was then he discovered the more serious problem.  

 “I was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve) that was causing me to pass out,” he shared.   

Because of Lowe’s age, occupation, and active lifestyle, the heart team at St. Vincent recommended the Ross procedure.   

The Ross procedure is a type of aortic valve replacement, also known as a pulmonary autograft. During this procedure, surgeons remove the aortic valve, replace it with the patient’s pulmonary heart valve, and then replace that valve with a cadaver valve.   

 While the initial recovery took several months, including participating in cardiac rehabilitation with the team at St. Vincent, Lowe returned to light duty after two months and was cleared by August for full activity.   

During his recovery, Lowe received tremendous support from his family and friends, including his colleagues at the BFD.    

“The Fire Department family was so supportive,” he shared. “They had a meal train to the house and had folks lined up to mow the yard and help with chores. They were fantastic.”  

 Lowe is back to living as he was before his health scare and open-heart surgery, fulfilling his duties at the fire department and back at exercise classes at the YMCA. Looking back on the journey, he recommends that everyone pay attention to signs their body is telling them regardless of whether they have a heart condition.   

“When stuff happens to you, don’t just explain it away or ignore it because it could be a serious problem,” he recommended.   

 Learn more about heart health by visiting: https://connect.intermountainhealth.org/heart  

Left to Right, Kyle Young , John Fordham,  Heather Stamey, Katherine Meyers. 

As Intermountain Health St. Vincent Regional Hospital continues its journey towards a Trauma Level I designation, it is developing an advanced research program that will provide insights into trauma care in Montana and other rural states, an under-researched area of study.  

A recently published study in the Journal of Emergency Medicine took a deep dive into access to trauma care in Montana. The study identified access to trauma care across geographic and demographic factors, highlighting those areas that may face barriers to care. The study also highlights the critical role that all trauma centers play in the state’s trauma system, especially rural, critical access facilities such as Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.  

“We are committed to improving the system across the state,” shared Heather Stamey, Senior Director of Emergency and Critical Care Services at St. Vincent. “This study is a great starting point to understand how we can best serve all Montanans.”  

In its pursuit to become a Trauma I designated facility, ensuring that the patients throughout the region have access to the highest level of critical and emergency services close to home, St. Vincent Regional Hospital is investing resources to continue to build on these initial research efforts.   

“There has not been robust research focused on trauma care in Montana and rural areas,” stated Stamey. “As we build our program, we will continue to produce actionable research that will allow us to enhance care in Montana.”  

 The trauma-focused research program began in 2022 and has produced nine papers approved for publication, and an additional three papers are currently under peer review for consideration for publication.  
In addition to the geographic study, caregivers from across the organization have participated in research on various topics, including examining emergency department pharmacy care, trauma care of veterans, the role of spiritual care in pain management, and motorcycle traumas in Montana, among other topics.    

 Here is the list of current papers accepted for publication:  

Treatment of urinary tract infections in hospitalized adults: Ceftriaxone versus Levofloxacin, Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice    
Authors: Cody Maldonado, Riley Grubbs, Jeff Jensen     

Emergency Department pharmacist impact on time to administration of heparin: a brief report, Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research 
Authors: Taylor Brisben, Cody Maldonado, Michaela Bruner, Jeff Jensen, Dr. Rachel Ott   

Addressing an increase in surgical site infections during the COVID-19 pandemic - Identifying opportunities during a chaotic time, American Journal of Infection Control
Author: Jordan Zepeda  

Access to trauma care in a rural state: A descriptive geographic and demographic analysis, The Journal of Emergency Medicine 
Authors: Heather Stamey, Katherine Meyers, John Fordham, Kyle Young, Dr. Rachel Ott   

Trauma history in veterans with bipolar disorder and its impact on suicidality, Journal of Psychiatric Research  
Author: Ashley Clausen  

Getting patients to the right level of trauma center after motorcycle crashes in a rural trauma system, American Journal of Emergency Medicine 
Authors: Heather Stamey, Kristin Thackeray-Pflughoft, Katherine Meyers 

Effectiveness of patient-centered discharge plans in the care of trauma patients: a quality improvement project, Journal of Trauma Nursing 
Authors: Lisa Stricker and Dr. Barry McKenzie 

TBI, psychological trauma exposure, and anxious and depressive symptoms in a clinical population, Journal of Trauma Nursing 
Authors: Ashley Clausen, Heather Stamey, Katherine Meyers

History of traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample evaluated for neurocognitive disorders: a retrospective analysis, Frontiers in Medicine and Health Research 
Authors: Ashley Clausen, Katherine Meyers 

Intermountain Health announced that Lee Boyles has been named the president of Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market and St. Vincent Regional Hospital. Boyles will assume his new role in Montana on March 11, 2024.  

“Lee is an innovator and servant leader who enjoys collaborating with key community stakeholders to improve care for patients, increase access to health care, and find creative ways to deliver care,” said Jim Sheets, President of Intermountain Health Peaks Region. “Lee inspires others to believe in a positive healthcare future for our communities while navigating the significant changes in the healthcare industry. Returning to his roots, I know Lee will make a tremendous, positive impact in Montana and Wyoming.”  

Boyles is a native Montanan and grew up in Glendive, Montana, before graduating from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Montana and Des Moines University, respectively.   

“I can’t wait to return to my home state of Montana and join the incredibly talented Intermountain Health team. We have many great opportunities in the communities we serve and look forward to enhancing our investments where it makes sense,” said Boyles. “Our hearts have always been in Montana and my family and I are thrilled to move back to the place we love so deeply. I look forward to connecting with our many patients, caregivers, and community leaders as quickly as possible in the months ahead.”   

Most recently, Boyles worked for Common Spirit Health, Colorado, as CEO of St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Breckenridge, Colorado. He has previously served as president of Catholic Health Initiatives’ St. Gabriel’s Health in Little Falls, Minnesota, CHI Oakes Hospital in Oakes, North Dakota, and Vice President of strategic development at Glendive Medical Center in Glendive, Montana. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.   

Boyles and his wife, Kayla, also a native of Montana, have three daughters and are an active family. Outside of work, he and his family enjoy playing sports together and look forward to exploring the great outdoors of Montana. 

Alese Beckman, center, with her daughter Bella and Dr. Liz Connor, a gynecologic oncologist at Intermountain Health West End Clinic in Billings

When Alese Beckman of Edgar, Montana, had pain and swelling in her leg in June 2020, a cancer diagnosis was the furthest thing from her imagination. After further examination and testing, her medical providers found a large tumor in her pelvis. Alese was facing a stage four cervical cancer diagnosis.  

Because the cancer was advanced and doctors found additional tumors, her providers recommended an aggressive treatment plan.    

"I was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer on Monday and started chemotherapy on Tuesday," shared Beckman. "It was quite a shock."  

At just 34 and with three young children, coming to terms with her diagnosis and the treatment plan was overwhelming as she shared the news with family and friends. Beckman's case is a rare type of cervical cancer that would not be discovered through an annual pap test, a routine screening for cervical cancer.    

Beckman responded well to initial rounds of chemotherapy, but after several treatments, they discovered a new tumor in October 2020. Her care team recommended that she consider immunotherapy, a new development in cancer treatment that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Advanced testing found that Beckman could benefit from the treatment. Cancer care is becoming more individualized with genetic testing and pathology, allowing oncologists to use targeted treatments.   

She began immunotherapy in November 2021, followed by radiation therapy. The immunotherapy is delivered through infusions that Beckman receives every six weeks.   

"Alese's treatment has followed new developments in cancer care," According to Dr. Liz Connor, a gynecologic oncologist at Intermountain Health in Billings. "She was right on the leading edge."   

Approximately 89,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year. The latest highly specialized approaches to surgery and treatment offer the best hope of recovery for many women.  

Advanced testing and individualized treatment plans offer a range of effective treatment options for women that were not available even five years ago, according to Dr. Connor.   

"Genetic and tumor testing can help determine which treatments will be most responsive to the individual patient," said Dr. Connor. "Care is very much individualized, and we treat each person as effectively as possible."  

In addition to her medical providers, during her battle with cancer, Alese has relied on the care, compassion, and generosity of her family and community. In October 2020, her community hosted a large fundraiser to support her and her family, hosted at her aunt's ranch. Because she was undergoing treatment and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alese only made a brief appearance to thank her community for the support.  

"It was a huge party," said Beckman. "All my friends said it was like a Carbon County reunion."   

She is so thankful that she has received care close to home after exploring treatment options at nationally recognized cancer centers out of the state, "Everything they are doing in Billings is the same treatment I would get at those leading centers."    

Having this care in Billings has allowed her husband, Chad, and other family members to accompany her to most of her treatments.   

"You need to have your family with you, and you want to be healing in your home," said Dr. Connor. "We work very hard for our patients to have access to the cutting-edge treatments expected anywhere in the country."  

By October 2021, almost a year after beginning the immunotherapy, Alese’s doctors detected no signs of her cancer on her regular CT scans.   

"It was all gone. And I have had clear scans ever since," said Beckman. "Doing my research, I read that the average lifespan of women with my diagnosis is 18 months. And here I am, three and a half years later."  

Beckman is back to work at a salon in Joliet, where she has worked for a decade, and running a small business out of her house. But living with cancer has changed her life.   

"I feel good!" she shared. "Your perspective changes. I cut back on all the extra things I do to spend more time with my family and be there for my kids. I also found a faith that I didn’t know existed and that was something I had to hold onto to get me through. "  

Her journey has impacted her family as well, especially her oldest daughter, Bella.  

"It was tough on her," shared Beckman. "She was able to come to my infusions with me, and she helped take care of her brother and sister while I was in treatment.” 

Now in eighth grade, her daughter just wrote a school paper about wanting to become an oncologist or work with cancer patients to help people like her mom.   

She writes, “I remember the night she said she was cancer free... this huge weight was lifted, I felt like I could finally breathe again. I want people to feel how I felt when all that pressure was gone. Now, I know that working in the doctor field isn't  always  sunshine and rainbows, but I’m going to try and help people feel better... we had a miracle happen. I want to make miracles for other people now. That is my passion, to help people.” 

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with an estimated 604 000 new cases and 342 000 deaths in 2020 . Vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective ways to prevent cervical cancer and are very cost-effective. Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. 

Recommendation for cervical cancer screening: 

•  Ages 21-29: Pap test every three years 
• Ages 30-65 Pap test every three years if only testing the cytology of cervical cells or Pap every five years when testing for HPV virus and cytology of cervical cells
• Ages 65 and older: no screening needed after adequate negative prior screening.

Talk to your primary care provider about any questions you have or about changes in your health.  For additional questions or to make an appointment please contact Intermountain Midwifery and Women's Health Center at 406.238.6010  or for more information visit: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/intermountain-health-st-vincent-regional-hospital/womens-health

U.S. News and World Report analyzes labor and delivery services data to make its determinations, including rates of C-sections, newborn complications, breast milk feeding, early elective deliveries, routine vaginal birth after cesarean deliveries (VBAC), and episiotomies, along with whether a hospital meets new federal criteria for "birthing-friendly" practices, and whether a hospital tracked and reported outcomes for patients of different races and ethnicities.   

"For more than 125 years, we have welcomed new babies and cared for families in Billings and our surrounding communities. In fact, we cared for a record number of families for two consecutive years at St. Vincent," said Melissa Filter, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Vincent Healthcare. "Even as we see more babies born at our hospital, we are continually recognized for offering high-quality, patient-centered care. That is something to be proud of." In 2022, 1653 babies were born at St. Vincent. St. Vincent has already surpassed that number this year and looks forward to celebrating another record-breaking year.  

"Hospitals that receive a High Performing designation as part of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care meet a high standard in caring for parents with uncomplicated pregnancies," said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. "These hospitals have C-section rates that are 26% lower and newborn complication rates that are 37% lower than unrecognized hospitals."   

St. Vincent welcomes these new babies to the world in its newly remodeled Birthing Center. The $1 million renovation to its Birthing Center improved patient flow and provided a more comforting and caring environment for the mothers, new babies, and their families.   

St. Vincent was the first hospital in southeastern Montana to become a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility. Baby-Friendly is a designation given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to hospitals that have created the best possible environment for breastfeeding. In addition to the birthing center, St. Vincent was the first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Billings, providing high-quality, specialized care for babies born premature or needing additional specialized care.  

St. Vincent's sister hospital in Miles City, Montana, and 15 other Intermountain Health hospitals also received the designation.   

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Sami and Theo Hampton of Billings were excited to learn about their first pregnancy. That excitement turned into shock when they learned that they were having triplets. Identical, spontaneous triplets, in fact, an extremely rare occurrence.   

While any pregnancy with triplets would be considered high-risk and need specialized care, other factors made this pregnancy unique and posed added risks for the babies and the mother. Two of the babies shared an amniotic sac, and all three triplets shared the same placenta, rare conditions (monochorionic diamniotic) that can lead to complications.    

"There aren't very clear statistics, but from what we learned chances range from 1 in a million to 1 in 200 million," shared Sami.   

"Spontaneous triplets are like 0.3% of all the pregnancies, but having one pair sharing the same sac and all three sharing the placenta is even rarer," said Dr. Ibrahim Hammad, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain Health. He shared he doesn't expect to see another pregnancy like this in his career.  

When a woman is facing a high-risk pregnancy, MFM specialists provide specialized care and monitor the health of the mother and child. In Sami's case, the risk of preterm labor, miscarriage, or other complications was high. She was admitted to St. Vincent for active monitoring at 24 weeks. Being at the hospital allowed the St. Vincent and Intermountain Health team to continuously monitor Sami and the babies and intervene if necessary.   

After more than six weeks in the hospital, On October 12, Gwynevere, Calliope, and Scarlett were delivered, surrounded by a team of specialists and a care team for each baby and the mother.   

The Hampton girls were immediately admitted to the St. Vincent Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to receive extra support. Having the MFM specialists and the high-level NICU resources at St. Vincent allowed the family to stay at home for the care of their babies.   

After more than a month under the care of the St. Vincent NICU team, Sami and Theo brought their babies home on November 20, just in time for the holidays.    

"It was a magical experience to be a part of this pregnancy, knowing how difficult it was for Sami and how worried they were," shared Dr. Kyla Carlson of Billings OBGYN Associates. "We are so proud to be able to offer this care close to home for this young family. Keeping them together during this time is priceless."   

After many months of care and worry, Theo and Sami are grateful to see their babies healthy and home for Thanksgiving. "It was so hard, but it is so worth it. "I wouldn't have it any other way," said Sami. "We are so blessed."   

Cipriana Southard, RN (left) was honored with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) 40 Under 40 Award.  "This award is not only a celebration of your work, but also an expression of gratitude for your leadership, commitment, and contributions to NAHN and the Hispanic community,” shared her recognition. 

When reflecting on her career and the award, Cipriana shares how her family influenced her to start a career in healthcare with a focus on serving others.  

“My mother has worked in the hospital setting for over 20 years, and I was blessed to witness the collaboration and support that St. Vincent has provided to many in the community over those years. I knew from an early age I also wanted to be a part of it.” 

“What drew me to nursing was supporting others on some of their most difficult days by providing unconditional love, care and support. That extends to my fellow caregivers as well. Being part of something greater than ourselves has kept me in the nursing profession.”  

Cipriana was nominated for the 40 under 40 award from NAHN for leadership in patient safety by providing patient education on sepsis. Working with partners, she revamped sepsis education, making it easier for patients to understand.  

“To receive the 40 under 40 award from the NAHN means so much to not only me but also my family. My father is from the Camargo, Chihuahua area of Mexico where he grew up living in poverty. When he was a young adult, he and his siblings immigrated to the United States to become American citizens and create better lives for themselves. I watched my dad learn English, study for his citizenship test and start a masonry business from the ground up.  

He always taught me that knowledge is power, and this drove me to attend college and take the opportunity to learn as much as I could. I am a huge advocate for personal and professional growth and what better way to do that than a career in healthcare where learning is continuous!”  

Cipriana continues to be involved with the NAHN, starting the first chapter in the Billings area. She looks forward to the opportunity to support other nurses with resources for scholarships, education and job opportunities. 

St. Vincent Healthcare is proud to honor Mike Glancy from the Medical Supply and Mobility team with our Inaugural Spirit of St. Vincent de Paul Award. St. Vincent created this award to celebrate our legacy and 125 years of service to Billings and the region to honor a caregiver who consistently demonstrates and lives out the values of Catholic healthcare.   

Mike was nominated for the award by a fellow caregiver who has seen first-hand the dedication and caring spirit he brings to work daily. As a medical equipment tech, Mike helps maintain, repair, and deliver medical equipment for patients who have needs in recovery and healing at home. He often works with patients in their homes, orienting them to use the necessary equipment to continue healing and have independence in recovery.   

His nominator and colleague, Blaine Rackliff, shared:  

Mike is wonderful. He works very hard each day to meet the needs of our patients and leads by example consistently in the department. He can be seen each day assembling and delivering beds, wheelchairs, walkers, scooters...whatever is needed! Mike is the epitome of a team player. Mike not only takes good care of his patients but also his co-workers. Mike gives and gives of himself without cease and without complaining. I count it an honor to work with Mike.    

Mike was also recognized for going above and beyond his regular duties to clear snow and ice in the winter, lending a hand when something needs fixing and overcoming obstacles with a positive spirit. Mike shared how his health challenges and recovery and those who cared for him, including St. Vincent caregivers and his wife, inspire his work and service to our community.  

"At St. Vincent Healthcare, understanding and living who we are is uniquely influenced by the heritage and the mission of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, our founders. Our past, present, and future are shaped by the values, examples, and spirit of the sisters as inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul," said Tracy Neary, Vice President of Mission Integration for St. Vincent Healthcare and the Montana | Wyoming Region of Intermountain Health. "Mike demonstrates our call to service in how he cares for our patients and supports his fellow caregivers. He is a great example of the mission and values of our organization."  

Mike was honored with the award at a special reception on the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, honoring the legacy of the hospital's namesake. We were joined by members and volunteers with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and members of the Sisters of Charity to recognize volunteers and supporters and to share how the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul continues to inspire and live on in the impactful work that our organizations do in the Billings community and the region. 

Sister Eileen Hurley, board member of the Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market Board of Directors since 2010, was honored as the Trustee of the Year Award at the Montana Hospital Association’s Annual (MHA) Conference in Billings on September 21. MHA established the Healthcare Trustee of the Year Award to honor individuals who have demonstrated noteworthy contributions to their institution and/or the Montana healthcare community. 

Sister Eileen Hurley, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, carries on the legacy of the original Sisters, who founded St. James Healthcare in Butte and St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings in the late 1800s and their commitment to healthcare ministry, with a focus on the needs the poor and vulnerable.   

Intermountain Health recognizes Sister Eileen for her commitment and leadership, especially with a focus on mission, guiding the organization on investments in the future. Sister Eileen’s leadership was integral to the organization’s success as Intermountain Health and SCL Health finalized their merger in 2022. 

“Sister Eileen is a great example of our organization’s values and she calls us all to live each one,” shared Tracy Neary, Vice President of Mission Integration for St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain Health Montana | Wyoming Market. “We are so honored to have her serve on our board and as a volunteer at St. Vincent.” 

 During the merger, Sister Eileen played an important role in the discernment process to ensure the Catholic identity and mission of the Catholic hospitals remains in the new organization.  In the summer of 2023, she will led our Montana hospitals in a four-month self-assessment of the expression of their Catholic identities, involving nearly one hundred caregivers to set strategic direction for the hospitals.

“The Montana Hospital Association and its members rely on the dedication and hard work of volunteer trustees around the state who commit their time, talents and resources to improving the healthcare of their neighbors,” said Bob Olsen, Montana Hospital Association CEO. “Sister Eileen has made significant and lasting impacts on the patients, caregivers and the communities served by St. Vincent Healthcare, and we are proud to award her with this well-earned recognition.” 

In addition to her service on the board of directors, Sister Eileen has volunteered with St. Vincent Healthcare’s No One Dies Alone program, which provides a comforting presence and companionship for people who are dying in the hospital but do not have family present. Sister Eileen stays with patients, often for long hours, to ensure that they are comfortable and feel safe. Sister Eileen demonstrated selflessness in performing this service to patients, especially during the pandemic with loved ones unable to visit them.  

As St. Vincent Healthcare prepares to celebrate 125 years of service in Billings, Sister. Eileen has invested additional time into gathering and telling the founding stories of the organization, through a remodeling of the hospital archives, open house events and small group meetings. Her focus on telling stories of our legacy both challenges and inspires caregivers to see how their contemporary work advances the healing mission started by her religious community. 

St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, has been recognized as Montana’s first Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). This accreditation recognizes that St. Vincent provides patients with the highest quality of care as determined by an independent, external evaluation process from the SRC. 

State-of-the-art robotic technology has been in operating rooms at St. Vincent for over a decade. With recent investments in technology and expertise in general surgery, minimally invasive robotic heart surgery, and biopsy and treatment of lung cancer, St. Vincent has seen exponential growth in robotic-assisted surgeries. It recently performed its 2,000th robotic-assisted operation, with more than 700 procedures performed in the last 12 months. St. Vincent underwent an extensive self-assessment and site inspection to receive this recognition. 

For patients, the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include fewer complications, reduced blood loss, less pain, and shorter hospital stays. Because robotic technology allows the surgeon to operate less invasively, patients heal faster, with lower risks of infection and less noticeable scarring. 

“Receiving the Center of Excellence is a message to our patients and community that we are investing in the talent and the technology to improve their care,” said Jen Alderfer, President, St. Vincent Healthcare & Wyoming | Montana Market, Intermountain Health. “The improved patient outcomes and benefits to our patients are the main drivers in the growth of our robotic surgery program.” 

During robotic-assisted procedures, a specially trained surgeon controls the movement of camera-equipped robotic surgical equipment by using a console placed next to the operating table instead of physically performing the surgery with their hands.  

From the surgeon’s point of view, robotic technology allows for enhanced precision, flexibility, and control; a better field of visualization; and greater ease when performing delicate and complex procedures than what is often possible with traditional open surgeries.  

“With the robotic technology, we have seen hospital stays reduced from seven days to two days for complex abdominal wall surgeries and very quick overall recoveries compared to open or laparoscopic approaches,” says Dr. Michael Wilcox, a general surgeon at St. Vincent Healthcare.  

To keep doctors up to date on the latest robotic-assisted systems, software, and service components, St. Vincent Healthcare has teamed up with its technology partners to create a robust, comprehensive training program.  

“The robotic surgery program at St. Vincent is used as a part of surgical residencies and a standard of practice in several specialties,”  said Jackie Hines, Senior Director, Surgical & Procedural Services.

“At St. Vincent Healthcare, we are leading the region in robotic usage spanning multiple specialties including general surgery, gynecological, cardiac, thoracic, spine, and more. We look forward to continuing to lead this work into the future by growing our robotic surgery program into even more specialty areas,” said Dr. Jeff Rentz, general surgeon at St. Vincent   

We should all take pride in delighting more than 30,000 attendees, and countless volunteers and vendors, with an unforgettable event. And true to our mission of improving the health of those we serve, we partnered with local EMS providers to deliver medical assistance and first aid to nearly 60 attendees, helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Additionally, we provided relief from the heat and ear protection by distributing more than 5,500 bottles of water, 2,000+ cooling towels, 500 bottles of sunscreen and more than 800 sets of ear plugs. 

Huge shout out to our caregivers who supported our Intermountain Health medical services tent and booth leading up to and during the air show. I would also like to recognize those who continued to care for our patients throughout the weekend here at the hospital.

Leading up to the weekend's festivities, our caregivers were able to take part in memorable experiences throughout the week.  

Four of our caregivers, Joyce, Dan, Joan and Chad, who have supported our healing ministry and lived out our mission for decades at St. Vincent - collectively, they're celebrating nearly 150 years of service! - were able to step away from the bedside and experience quite a thrill soaring through the sky over Billings with the Yellow Thunder, a two-plane aerobatic team that flies a Harvard / T-6 Texan. 

On Friday morning, we had the honor to welcome members of the Blue Angels team for a special visit to our hospital. The team met with caregivers and patients providing hope and inspiration for those who were unable to experience the airshow performance. Every heartwarming encounter they had with our patients, families and caregivers was filled with smiles, laughter and hope as they rounded through the hospital. 

Later that afternoon, we welcomed Rear Admiral Matthew Case and other members of the Navy for a special recognition of our caregivers who have served our country in the military. As commander of Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, he shared a powerful and moving recognition of our caregivers. He presented a special certificate of appreciation for our St. Vincent Veterans, who served our country in the U.S. armed forces and continue to serve our community as St. Vincent caregivers. He shared: 

“They are heroes times two because they choose to do a profession that is bigger than themselves, they choose to take care of others, and at the same time, they chose to serve their country, and I can't think of anything more honorable than that.”

Mark Korth, President of the Peaks Region, Intermountain Health took part in the celebration with RDML Case and extended his gratitude to our caregivers while sharing a quote by a 19th Century philosopher who once said this about those who help heal those in need, “You are a refuge to the fearful, you bring rest and peace to the disturbed; you make provisions for the destitute and are a treasury of riches for the poor. With your touch and kind eyes, you are healing medicine for those who suffer pain. You are a doctor and nurse to the ailing, promoting friendship, honor, and devotion to a higher power. In this world that sometimes suffers – you offer peace and healing.” 

Our partnership with the Yellowstone International Air Show was an opportunity to showcase our values at St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our commitment to excellence and to honor our own caregivers who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. Together, we have showcased the heart and soul of our organization, and I am immensely proud to be part of such an exceptional team. 

Sincerely, 

Jen Alderfer, President
St. Vincent Healthcare & Montana | Wyoming Market, Intermountain Health

On August 7, 1898, the first cornerstone was laid for what would become Billings' first hospital, St. Vincent. Now part of Intermountain Health, St. Vincent marked the occasion with a caregiver celebration to begin a yearlong celebration of its legacy and history on Monday, August 7.    

Responding to a request made by Billings' first mayor, Dr. Henry Chappel, and Billings' first Catholic priest, Father Von Clarenbeck, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth opened St. Vincent to serve the community's needs. Founded on the mission of compassionate care, St. Vincent is a regional leader in healthcare. Continuing to respond to the needs of the community just as its founding Sisters and pioneering providers did, St. Vincent has been recognized as an innovator for advancements in heart, stroke, neurological and cancer care. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. St. Vincent opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.   

"This is an incredibly special celebration of the dedication of our caregivers, those serving today and throughout our history," said Tracy Neary, Vice President of Mission Intergration for St. Vincent Healthcare and Montana | Wyoming Market for Intermountain Health. "The original Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth that founded our hospital have left an indelible mark on this region by providing excellent, patient-center care to all those who came through our doors. We are honored to continue their mission in service to our community, especially to the poor and vulnerable."   

Throughout the yearlong 125-year celebration, St. Vincent will host special events to share its history and vision for the next 125 years. Learn more about our history and services: svh.org

Intermountain Health is thrilled to be the title sponsor of the highly-anticipated Yellowstone International Air Show in Billings on August 12-13, 2023. 

As a leader in healthcare and dedicated to serving our communities, we are honored to support this extraordinary event that celebrates our brave servicemen and women – many of whom are our own caregivers. 

Additionally, in partnership with local EMS providers, our caregivers from St. Vincent will be on-site, ready to provide medical assistance and first aid, helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. 

We believe in the power of community, and that's why we are proud to collaborate with the Yellowstone International Air Show to bring this phenomenal event to Billings! 

You can learn more at yellowstoneairshow.com.

SCL Health, now Intermountain Health, is excited to announce plans to launch a full-time Gynecologic Oncology practice in Billings to serve the region allowing patients expanded access to advanced gynecologic oncology care and treatment. Three local physicians plan to join the practice with an anticipated start date of early August.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity to continue to grow the high-quality women’s services and cancer care that we currently provide to our region,” said Jen Alderfer, president of St. Vincent Healthcare & Montana | Wyoming Market for Intermountain Health. “Women in Montana and Wyoming will now have more access to life-saving treatments closer to home.” 

The physicians will see patients at the new Intermountain Health - West End Clinic located at 602 Henry Chapple Street in Billings, which will open in July.  In addition to gynecologic oncology services, the new 24,000-square-foot clinic space will offer a new primary care and walk-in clinic that will provide expanded healthcare services to an area of Billings experiencing significant growth. Oncology infusion and radiation oncology treatments will be provided at the St. Vincent Healthcare Cancer Centers of Montana. 

Approximately 89,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year. The five main types of gynecologic cancer are uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. The latest highly specialized approaches to surgery and treatment offer the best hope of recovery for many women. 

St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023, making five consecutive years it has earned the award.  

By receiving this award, St. Vincent has demonstrated a continued commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and sustained achievement in the Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry, performing at the highest level for specific measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to recommendations and overall quality of care for heart attack patients. This places St. Vincent as one of only 262 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. 

“At St. Vincent, we are dedicated to helping the people in our communities live the healthiest lives possible. By earning this award for five consecutive years, our heart care team has demonstrated our long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, life-saving care when our community needs it most,” said Jen Alderfer, president of St. Vincent Healthcare & Montana | Wyoming Market. “The award celebrates the remarkable teamwork between local dispatch, EMS providers and our Emergency Department, cardiologists, cath lab staff, and nursing staff who strive to exceed expectations for quickly and efficiently assessing and caring for patients who require immediate treatment for cardiac emergencies.” 

 The Centers for Disease Control estimates that almost 800,000 Americans yearly suffer a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling, and cardiac rehabilitation, among others. 

“It is an honor to award St. Vincent with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.  “The receipt of this award indicates that St. Vincent remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.” 

St. James Healthcare in Butte, a fellow Intermountain Health hospital in Montana, has also earned Platinum-level recognition for three years in a row. Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry empowers healthcare provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines. It establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety, and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients. 

This Nurses' Week, we want to recognize Ellie Devitt, a St. Vincent caregiver with 53 years of service to our organization and community. 

Ellie was part of one of the last graduating classes from the original St. Vincent School of Nursing in 1969. Ellie worked in pediatrics from when she graduated as a nurse until 1995 and enjoyed caring for our youngest patients. In 1996, she was part of the original team to launch the St. Vincent Transfer Center and has worked with the team ever since. 

"These are both great departments to work in," she shared. "Most of us in the transfer center are nurses. Although we are not at the bedside, we do a lot of critical thinking, bouncing things off each other and learning together." 

Her current office is in the Marillac Hall, which initially served as a dorm and classrooms for the nursing students where Ellie studied and lived while at the Nursing School. Now that she is back in Marillac Hall, she feels she has come full circle. 

When reflecting on her long career, Ellie shared that the people and the fulfilling work have kept her here at St. V's for more than 50 years. 

She shares advice and guidance for young nurses planning the next steps in their careers ."There is so much opportunity for nurses now," she shared. "Find an area where your passion is. That is a big part of it. If you enjoy what you do, why would you go elsewhere?" 

Thank you, Ellie, for your many years of service to our community, and Happy Nurses' Week to you and all of our St. Vincent Nurses. ❤️

Watch KTVQ News Story

Leslie Robertson expected to hear her son’s voice, but when a Montana State Trooper answered Chet’s phone, she immediately knew something was wrong.  

“I was just calling to check in,” shared Leslie. “I found out about the accident because the trooper on the scene answered it. He told me that Chet was not conscious and that they were flying him to Bozeman and that it was serious.” 

Chet, at 17, had moved from California to study welding technology, and even as a young adult, he was well on his way to starting his career and life in Montana. “He is very driven and has always been wiser than his years,” said Leslie. “He was already working full-time in a welding job. He had put himself on the fast track.” 

The day of the accident, Chet had been fixing his dirt bike, another one of his passions, and took it out for a ride.  

“I don’t think we will ever know exactly what happened, but the driver never saw him,” shared Leslie about the collision. 

After being airlifted to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center, Chet was flown to St. Vincent Healthcare for a higher level of care. Leslie and her husband, Ken, spent the next several hours calling the hospital to get information and booked flights to be with their son. After spending the night in the Seattle airport, Leslie, Ken, and their daughter Ady, were able to get a flight to Bozeman and then drove to Billings.   

“Chet had built an incredible community,” she said. “Montana is a very special place filled with people who care and who will embrace you. I called a couple of moms willing to be with him before I arrived.”

Leslie and her family spent the next three weeks with Chet in St. Vincent’s ICU. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and was in a coma. For Leslie, her family, and Chet’s caregivers, it was a waiting process to allow his brain to heal and allow them to ease Chet off of the sedation.  

“Those first weeks in the ICU were really tough,” shared Leslie. “The nurses and staff were incredible, and they made us feel that things were under control and that we didn’t need to panic. They gave us hope.” 

With each passing day, they continued to get glimmers of hope and saw improvements in Chet’s condition. After he stabilized, they were able to repair his jaw, which had been injured in the accident. After three weeks, the care team took Chet off the sedation, and he became more responsive each day. 

During those initial weeks, the family consulted closely with Dr. Louis Ross, a neurosurgeon at the St. Vincent Healthcare, on what they should expect in the healing process. His guidance helped ease some of their worst fears and gave them hope in the face of uncertainty.   

“When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, it can be overwhelming for families, especially for those unfamiliar with these types of injuries,” explained Dr. Ross. “My role was to provide accurate information about his prognosis, so they didn’t lose hope in the stress and worry of the moment. It is great to see how far he has come.” 

“It helped us in a time when we didn’t understand anything,” said Leslie. “Dr. Ross treated Chet like a person and treated us with dignity. That was so important and kept our hope going.”  

Leslie shared the story of a caregiver whose son had also been in an accident and suffered a TBI.  In addition to providing her with encouragement and support, she gifted Leslie and her family a small statue of a mother and son. Leslie keeps it on her dresser as a reminder of the compassionate care she received.   

“All of this made us feel that this wasn’t just a normal hospital experience,” she said. “The kindness that extended out from the hospital got us through. The staff made us feel like family.” 

All through the process, the physicians and caregivers walked side-by-side with the family as they continued to see Chet heal.   

“They are a delightful family,” shared John Jamison, Chaplain at St. Vincent. “They were so attentive, and they embraced whatever suggestions our caregivers had. Every day it was a little better, and every day we were a little more hopeful. It was a wonderful thing to watch and be a part of.” 

As Chet’s condition improved, the family began working closely with the care management team on the next steps to help Chet transition to a rehabilitation facility. The family received great news when the care team found him a placement at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, just over an hour’s drive from their home in California.  The St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, in coordination with the trauma and HELP Flight team, was able to facilitate his transfer to Santa Clara.  

“They went above and beyond for Chet,” shared Leslie.  

After leaving Billings and St. Vincent, Chet continued his steady progress in rehabilitation therapy, and after six weeks, Chet was able to leave the rehabilitation facility to come home. Less than a year later, Chet is now making plans to return to Montana to continue his life and career.  

The care that Chet and his family received at St. Vincent left an indelible mark. Leslie believes the dedication and belief of Chet’s caregivers helped him make a miraculous recovery. After their return home, they connected with the DAISY Foundation, known throughout the healthcare industry for the DAISY Award which recognizes nurses and caregivers for extraordinary care, to find a way to thank and celebrate the St. Vincent caregivers. 

The DAISY Foundation produces the Healer’s Touch Sculpture, given in recognition to individuals and organizations, symbolizing the relationship between caregivers, patients, and families.  

On April 21, the Robertson family returned to St. Vincent Healthcare for the dedication of the statue and to personally share their gratitude for the care they received.  

“We live now in a place of deep gratitude,” Leslie commented. “It is so important to us that those caregivers know the difference they made in our lives.” 

The gesture of gratitude was felt deeply by the St. Vincent caregivers as teams from across the hospital gathered to welcome Chet and his family back to St. Vincent.   

“As caregivers, there are times in our lives when we can witness a true miracle,” said Melissa Filter, Chief Nursing Officer at St. Vincent. “Chet and his family touched teams across St. Vincent. We were honored as this young man and his family brought out the very best in all of us and allowed us to live our mission in a beautiful way. We are so grateful.” 

The 2023 SAINTS Benefit, we are celebrating our 125-year legacy of life-saving emergency services. Proceeds will amplify St. Vincent Healthcare's Emergency and Critical Care Services in cardiac, stroke, and trauma, allowing us to serve our community, and patients like Chet for another 125 years. 

Help us continue our lifesaving legacy in raising $1,000,000 to support Emergency and Critical Care Services at St. Vincent Healthcare by donating today: svfoundation.org/donate

St. Vincent Healthcare, part of Intermountain Health, has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for the 10th consecutive time. This national distinction celebrates St. Vincent Healthcare’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.  St. Vincent was one of three hospitals in Montana to earn an “A” grade. Of the nearly 3,000 hospitals graded, only twenty-nine percent of hospitals received an A.  

“Our commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care begins with putting patient safety first,” said Jen Alderfer, President of St. Vincent Healthcare. “Receiving this recognition for the 10^th consecutive time demonstrates to our patients and community the level of care we strive for every day at St. Vincent. I am grateful for the work of our caregivers that allows us to meet the highest standards in the healthcare industry.” 

The survey considered anything that could bring possible harm to patients, such as infections, medical errors, accidents, or injuries. The LeapFrog survey also examines the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm in the first place. It then assigns an “A” through “F” grade based on the hospital’s performance.

Intermountain Health caregivers are continually training for all aspects of patient safety in healthcare. There are also protocols in place that encourage caregivers to speak up and raise concerns if they see something which could put someone at risk.

To see the full LeapFrog list of hospitals and their grade, click here.
 

In an emergency, time matters. St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, is committed to ensuring Montanans and Wyomingites have quick access to the critical, lifesaving care they need when they need it most.  

St. Vincent is proud to provide the highest level of trauma care in the state of Montana. In fact, according to the most recent State of Montana Trauma Registry data, for two years in a row, more patients trusted St. Vincent with their trauma care than any other trauma center in Montana.  

"To us, that speaks volumes, and we couldn't be more humbled by the level of confidence our friends and neighbors have in us," said Barry McKenzie, MD, trauma surgeon and trauma medical director at St. Vincent. "As a top-level trauma center, we continuously seek ways to elevate the quality of care we provide." 

That's why, in August of last year, St. Vincent chose to become the first hospital in Montana to officially apply for Level I Trauma Center verification under the American College of Surgeons (ACS), with a goal of becoming the State of Montana's very first Comprehensive Trauma Center in early 2024. 

St. Vincent is currently in the review process from the ACS and anticipates the results of the review at the end of 2023. 

A Level I Trauma Center has to have the following available 24 hours a day, every day of the week: 

• Specialists in neurosurgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery and other disciplines 
• Well-trained nurses and physicians who have experience in trauma care 
• Surgery and anesthesia at a moment's notice 

"We know there is an opportunity for us to continue to enhance and expand the trauma and emergency services we provide. The decision to apply for Level I Trauma is about providing the best care to our community in our community, whenever possible, keeping our patients close to home and continuing to be the hospital of choice," shared Jen Alderfer, president, St. Vincent Healthcare and Montana |Wyoming Market for Intermountain Health.  

In addition to pursuing a Trauma Level I verification, St. Vincent is expanding emergency air and ground transport services in Montana and Wyoming to improve access to care and patient outcomes. 

St. Vincent is excited to announce a new inter-facility ground ambulance service that will provide transport between facilities in Montana and Wyoming. Beginning this month, the service helps meet a critical need that many rural healthcare organizations are experiencing due to stretched EMS (Emergency Medical Services) resources in their local communities. 

"Our local EMS providers do the very best they can to respond to emergencies in our community, and this service will help them remain focused on responding to those 9-1-1 calls," explained Dr. Michael Bush, Chief Medical Officer at Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, a critical access hospital serving eastern Montana. "Sometimes, it's determined that our patients need higher acuity, more specialized care. It is paramount that we can provide them with a swift transport so they can receive the care they need." 

Additionally, Cody Regional Health and St. Vincent have partnered to launch Wyoming's only hospital-owned flight program: First Flight of Wyoming. This joint venture flight program will serve the needs of the Greater Wyoming Basin Region with high-quality, cost-effective transport services. Cody Regional Health operates the largest EMS network in Northern Wyoming, while St. Vincent Healthcare has operated HELP Flight, an air medical transport program, for over 40 years.  

"With the recent closures of EMS services and the high costs of air medical transport, we feel that the establishment of an air medical flight program located in the Big Horn Basin will provide a lower cost and a higher quality of care to patients in Northern Wyoming," said Doug McMillan, Cody Regional Health CEO. "St. Vincent's longstanding HELP Flight program was a pioneer in air medical services and continues to be at the forefront of hospital-based flight services, making them the ideal partner for this joint venture endeavor." 

First Flight of Wyoming will launch this summer with its rotor wing aircraft. 

To continue to support the growth of these services, the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation's annual SAINTS fundraiser on October 7, 2023 will support St. Vincent Healthcare's emergency and trauma services. Funds raised will be used to support education, research, and lifesaving equipment to ensure that our community has access to the region's highest quality emergency health care. St. Vincent benefactors have long supported advancements in the emergency, trauma, and critical care fields, including investments in the HELP Flight program, Emergency Room enhancements, ICU renovations, stroke care, cardiovascular programs, and pediatric ICU and surgical programs. Learn more at svfoundation.org.  

St. Vincent Healthcare has a long legacy of faithfully serving the Billings-area and region for nearly 125 years.  

"From our humble beginnings as Billings' first hospital back in 1898, with a mission to care for the community and serve the poor and vulnerable to becoming an innovative, nationally ranked hospital for safety and quality, today's announcements are just a few of the many ways St. Vincent remains committed to creating a healthier community and helping to ensure Montanans and Wyomingites can receive high quality, lifesaving care close to home," Alderfer concluded. 

To learn more about St. Vincent Healthcare's Emergency and Trauma Services, visit svh.org/trauma 

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 153,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, making it one of the most common cancers in both men and women.  March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and updated guidelines make it possible for more people to be screened with a colonoscopy starting at age 45. 

While ninety percent of colorectal cancer occurs in adults over age 45, rates are rising in younger people. By 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cancer-related cause of death for people aged 20-to-49. For this reason, individuals need to be aware of signs and symptoms even before the recommended age for a colonoscopy screening.  

David Williamson, 34, of Billings, had several symptoms that eventually led to a colon cancer diagnosis.  

“I had really bad cramping and didn’t have a solid bowel movement for almost a year,” he shared. 

After testing at the hospital, they found a tumor in his colon and cancer on his liver.  

“Honestly, I was a little relieved because I finally figured out what was happening,” he shared.  

Williamson is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the St. Vincent Cancer Centers of Montana and wants to be a voice of encouragement for younger adults that may be diagnosed with colon cancer.  

“I would encourage them to keep their head high and stay positive and try to live as normal as they can,” he shared.  

Even during his treatments, Williamson continues to work full-time as a welder and attributes his nearly daily workouts and healthy eating habits for improving his physical and mental health, and he is feeling better each day.  

By sharing his story, David hopes to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of colon cancer. Early-stage colon cancer seldom causes any clear and obvious symptoms, so it’s important to know the warning signs, such as:   

• change in bowel habits  
• rectal bleeding  
• abdominal pain  
• unintentional weight loss  
• unexplained anemia (iron deficiency)  
• fatigue 

Williamson recommends that if you are having symptoms, advocate for yourself and speak with your primary care physician about your concerns. He also shares that even after a diagnosis it is important to have a solid support system to help you through your treatment. He has relied on his family, friends, coworkers, and caregivers for support. He also recommends reaching out to support groups. 

“I have had a lot of help and support, which is so key to everything,” Williamson shared. “You don’t have to do this by yourself.” 

This month, St. Vincent and Intermountain Health are working with patients like David to raise awareness so that people know that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable with early detection.  If you are 45, reach out to your primary care provider to learn more about getting screened, and if you are having symptoms, please discuss those with your provider. 

Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community, St. Vincent Healthcare caregivers, and generous sponsors, more than $105,000 was raised through the 9th annual St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation's Call for Kids Mediathon on Cat Country 102.9 and Q2 News.  

Funds raised benefit St. Vincent Children’s Healthcare services, including the region’s first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming and the western Dakotas.  

"We are so grateful for the generosity of our community every year to support our Call for Kids Mediathon," said St. Vincent Foundation Executive Director, Tyler Wiltgen. "It makes a major impact on the children and families in our community. Through this support we can provide our youngest and most vulnerable patients with the highest quality pediatric care close to home." 

Donations may still be made by visiting svhkids.org, or by texting KIDS to 32037. 

St. Vincent Healthcare is honored to present the MONARCH award to Bobbie Beehler, HELP Flight Team Paramedic. The MONARCH Award acknowledges caregivers for exceptional patient care.  

Bobbie was nominated for the recognition by a patient for the professionalism, care and compassion she showed to a patient needing transport to St. Vincent Healthcare from Dickinson, North Dakota.  

“She analyzed a critical situation to maintain normal function during my trip to St. Vincent’s. She was very caring, kind and compassionate,” the patient shared.  

Bobbie, thank you for your commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, especially during critical situations.   

The MONARCH Award Committee would also like to recognize the additional nominees for this month’s award: 

Juanita Mc Gregor
Becky Graham
Currey Colter
Justice Webster
Melanie Babas 

Do you know a St. Vincent caregiver that you would like to recognize? Fellow caregivers, patients, or family members may nominate a St. Vincent Healthcare caregiver through the online nomination form. 

Throughout the past year, St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, has invested in considerable growth and innovation in heart care and treatment options for patients. By elevating the level of care, St. Vincent hopes to keep as many patients as possible close to home, providing advanced heart care services traditionally only offered at major medical centers.  

Among those advancements, St. Vincent launched a new heart pump technology to keep patients with advanced heart failure in Montana for treatment. The team also began offering minimally-invasive heart valve procedures, including robotic heart surgery, and conducted the first Ross Heart procedures at St. Vincent. Two recent patients benefiting from these innovations shared how having access to this care close to home has impacted their health and recovery. 

Just a few days before Christmas, Harry Bohling of Sheridan, Wyoming, was one of the first patients to benefit from robotic-assisted heart surgery at St. Vincent that can decrease recovery time and lower the risk of infection and pain after the surgery. Through the technology, St. Vincent heart surgeons now offer minimally invasive heart valve surgery as an alternative to a traditional open-heart procedure. Since October, St. Vincent has performed six robotically assisted heart surgeries. 

“I was having a lot of symptoms, including lack of energy and motivation and difficulty breathing when I was going upstairs,” shared Bohling. “After several tests, it was determined that I had a leaky (heart) valve.”  

A “leaky” heart valve occurs when a valve isn’t closing properly, allowing blood to leak through. This can lead to blood not properly flowing through the body. Symptoms can vary in severity, and they can cause a risk of heart failure or cardiac arrest. 

Bohling was referred to the heart team at St. Vincent for a consultation. After meeting with Dr. John H. Braxton, cardiothoracic surgeon, and the heart surgery team, they determined he would be a good candidate for robotic-assisted valve repair.    

With a robotic procedure, the surgeons make small incisions and insert robotic arms, cameras and instruments into the chest, allowing them to perform some of the same procedures that traditionally required open-heart surgery. Robotic technology provides for greater visualization and dexterity. The primary benefit is to the patient and their recovery because it is minimally invasive. 

“It’s a big deal to have folks poking around in your heart. They gave me peace of mind,” shared Bohling about meeting with Dr. Simon Maltais, a cardiac surgeon at St. Vincent. “He instilled a lot of confidence that they would be able to repair the heart valve. I was also able to learn more about his background and how qualified he is.” 

Bohling shared that he gave himself the gift of “a new heart” this Christmas, and after waking up from a successful surgery surrounded by his wife and daughter, he was relieved and happy to have a new start.  

Bohling is now back home in Sheridan and undergoing cardiac rehab to improve his strength, flexibility, and stamina. He had a follow-up echocardiogram after the surgery and showed no indications of leakage.  

Bohling and his wife moved to Sheridan two and half years ago from California to be closer to family and were so pleased to receive this advanced level of care close to home.  

“We love it here! It was wonderful timing that St. Vincent is now offering this level of heart care,” said Bohling.  

Dr. Simon Maltais shared his excitement about now offering these procedures to patients in the region. “Traditionally, these procedures have been done at major medical centers on the west coast or east coast of the U.S. We are pleased that we can now be a leading center for our region and offer access to this innovative care.” 

“Many family members visit the hospital to support their loved ones undergoing the intervention. So not needing to travel out of state enhances the patient’s recovery and ability to get better with their full support network intact.” 

“If I had to go through this, I am glad it was at St. Vincent”  

Most people wouldn’t be thankful for cracked ribs. But when Kevin Baar slipped and injured himself while on a fishing trip, doctors identified a potentially fatal heart defect. After a life-changing diagnosis and heart surgery, Baar is thankful for his innovative care at St. Vincent. 

“It really was a blessing in disguise. All I did was go fishing, and I ended up with open-heart surgery – and I only caught one Pike,” Baar joked when recounting his story.  

After seeing his doctors for a follow-up appointment after his accident, they discovered two serious issues with his heart while reviewing the imaging of his ribs. Baar not only had an aortic aneurysm, but they also found that he had a congenital heart condition that would require open heart surgery.   

“They called me in and said you need open heart surgery,” said Baar. “It was quite a shock because I had no previous symptoms or other health problems.” 

For Baar, he was going to need an aortic valve replacement. When discussing the options with the heart team at St. Vincent, they recommended an innovative procedure that St. Vincent is now performing at the hospital. 

The Ross procedure is a type of aortic valve replacement, also known as a pulmonary autograft. During this procedure, surgeons remove the aortic valve, replace it with the patient’s own pulmonary heart valve, and then replace that valve with a cadaver valve. Patients that undergo the Ross procedure may continue to live an active lifestyle, maintain a good quality of life, and are less likely to experience heart failure. Baar was the second patient to undergo the procedure at St. Vincent. The surgeons were also able to remove the aneurysm. 

“What was important to me was to be able to continue what I have been doing,” said Baar. “They said you should have normal heart function after the surgery, and I am definitely meeting that goal.” 

After undergoing the procedure on November 10, Baar began working with the cardiac rehab team to get back to full strength.   

“I can’t say enough about the rehab crew,” said Baar. “They were my best cheerleaders with a very positive outlook on everything. I also want to thank my friends, neighbors and family, especially my brother, who were with me through the entire process.” 

After completing rehab, Baar is now focused on returning to everyday healthy life, continuing his regular exercise routine at home. He returned to work on January 9 and recently took a vacation to Mexico. 

Thankful for the compassionate and innovative care he received, Baar can reflect on his experience with gratitude, “If I had to go through this, I am glad it was at St. Vincent.” 

“No one wants to have surgery, but when you need it, you want it done well and at the right institution. St. Vincent is that institution. We have enhanced the patient's experience through robotics and advanced procedures that improve their recovery,” said Dr. Braxton. “It’s world-class healthcare right at home.” 

Dr. Michael Wilcox, Director of the Residency Program at St. Vincent, and Dr. Briana Britton, Surgical Resident

St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Health, has welcomed its first surgical resident for medical training in Billings in partnership with its sister facility Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. 

As a new integrated site for residents that are part of the Saint Joseph Hospital surgical residency program, it is anticipated that six physicians will come to St. Vincent for elective month-long rotations in 2023. Residents will be practicing and training alongside St. Vincent surgeons in trauma, general and robotic surgery as well as other subspecialties. 

By bringing residents to Montana, the program hopes to further medical education in Montana with an eye on recruiting new surgeons to the state.   

“We know that physicians choosing to be part of our program are interested in training and serving rural America,” said Dr. Michael Wilcox, director of the residency program at St. Vincent. “We hope that through this program, we can create a potential pipeline for the future surgeons serving Montana by giving them exposure to the excellent, patient-centered care we provide.” 

“It has been a passion of mine personally, and a priority of our program, to add a track with a focus on training in rural communities,” said Dr. Jason Johnson, director of the Saint Joseph Residency program. “The need for access to high-quality surgical care in our rural communities is great, and we believe this new partnership will help us bring more surgeons to live and work in Montana.” 

Additionally, there are plans for full-time surgical residents to spend the second half of their five-year residency in Montana in the coming years. St. Vincent anticipates the first full-time resident will be on-site in late 2025. Once the program is established, St. Vincent expects to have two to three residents at the hospital. Saint Joseph and St. Vincent will add five additional resident positions to the program through the partnership. St. Vincent providers and program leaders will actively participate in selecting the residents. 

Dr. Briana Britton, the first surgical resident to come to St. Vincent as part of the program, shared her excitement about the opportunity because of the breadth of experience that it provides. “As a trauma or general surgeon in a rural area, you get exposure to a wide range of patients and cases. In larger cities, surgeons tend to be much more specialized. This is a unique experience.” 

Montana State Athletics and Intermountain share a clear and common purpose in supporting our communities, including overall well-being for individuals, families, and communities. 

Committed to creating healthier communities throughout the region, Intermountain currently provides primary care services to the Bozeman community through the SCL Health Medical Group – Bozeman clinic conveniently located on Main Street, along with specialty services such as heart care, neurology, and in partnership with Ortho Montana, orthopedics for both adults and children. 

Intermountain will be the associate sponsor of the upcoming Cat/Griz showdown at MSU’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse as both the Women’s and Men’s basketball teams take on the University of Montana on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Caregivers from the Bozeman primary care clinic will be in attendance to celebrate the new partnership – be sure to check out their booth! For more information about the Bozeman clinic please visit sclhealth.org/bozeman. 

Caregivers at SCL Health Medical Group - Red Lodge,  now Intermountain Healthcare, are supporting the local community through a donation to the CART (Carbon County Area Ride and Transit) program as part of the Caring Spirit Campaign. 

“Every year, our staff participates in the Caring Spirit program. We usually choose the rural health program and select a new organization locally each year to donate to,” shared Jessica Kinzley, RN. "We really look forward to being able to do this for the organizations in our community because we all live and work in Carbon County. When it came time to select an organization, CART was first on the list this year. We know that it is a great service to our community. With gas prices going up and the need for transportation in the area, it was an easy choice."

Through the Carging Spirit campaign SCL Health, now Intermountain Healthcare, caregivers can donate funds to an organization or program of their choice of choice to support the needs of our communities, especially the poor and vulnerable.  Since its inception, the Caring Spirit campaign has raised over $4 million in the spirit of the mission of our founders, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, to provide compassionate care to all.

The CART program provides county-wide public transportation service for ALL residents of Carbon County. The organization's two 6-passenger mini-vans are ADA accessible, with a ramp to handle wheelchairs easily. It also provides service to Billings and Laurel.

St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Healthcare,  has welcomed its first baby of 2023 born at the hospital. A baby boy, Aidoneus Jason Charles Strock was born at 2:24 am on January 1, 2023, the first baby of the New Year for the labor and delivery team.  He is the son of Jessica Roddy and Brody Strock of Billings. Aidoneus weighed in at 6 lbs. 14 oz. and is 19 inches long. 

“It’s always exciting to welcome our first baby of the year,” said Bobbie Smith, Manager, Labor & Delivery and Mother and Newborn, St. Vincent Healthcare. “We were honored to welcomed over 1600 babies to our community in 2022 and each one is special.” 

The St. Vincent Labor and Delivery team welcomed 1668 babies to the community in 2022 in its renovated birthing center. In 2022, St. Vincent completed a more than $1 million renovation of its birthing center to improve the flow of patients and to provide for a more comforting and caring environment for the mothers, new babies, and their families. 

 In December, St. Vincent was also recognized as a Best Hospital for Maternity Care, ranking as High Performing, by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year. Fewer than 300 of the hospitals evaluated by U.S. News for maternity care earned a ‘High Performing’ rating, which is the highest rating U.S. News & World Report awards for that type of care. The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates and early elective delivery rates, among others. 

St. Vincent was the first hospital in southeastern Montana to become a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility. Baby-Friendly is a designation given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to hospitals that have created the best possible environment for breastfeeding. In addition to the birthing center, St. Vincent was the first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Billings, providing high-quality specialized care for babies that are born premature or need additional specialized care.  Additionally, St. Vincent has been designated a Cribs for Kids ® National Gold Certified Safe Sleep hospital for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. 

To all of our caregivers, patients, and communities we wish you a joyful Christmas and a healthy New Year!

The holiday season brings excitement and feelings about national and religious holidays and the worldwide celebration of welcoming a New Year. There is a magical sense of things at this time of year with festivals, gatherings, and fairy dust that everything will be okay, and that oversights, shortcomings, and unpleasant realities will work out. 

But the prevailing images and notions of the holiday season may not be the same for everyone, or, in reality, for most of us. There are many different religious and cultural traditions, others have experienced personal tragedies, and some may have family or personal challenges that keep them physically or emotionally distant from family members and loved ones. 

We feel the pressure from cultural and societal forces to be cheerful and happy, and purchase everything in sight, reinforcing these idealistic images of what the ‘holiday experience’ should look like. Unfortunately, this pressure can lead to real impacts on our mental health. 

I certainly don’t want to bring the message of ‘bah humbug’ this season, but instead, I want to encourage everyone to be mindful and think through the holiday season. To assess what you want from this time of year so that it may be enjoyed and shared, no matter how our everyday realities match an idealized version of the coming weeks. So, here are a few suggestions we can all put into practice this holiday season. 

1. Think through what the holiday season means to you, and what it means for others close to you (family, friends and coworkers.) What would you like this time of the year to be for you? How will you make this season your own? 
2. Take stock. Was there a difficult time in your past around the holidays that still impacts you or others? How might you navigate it authentically? 
3. Make plans to be with who you want to be with, where you feel loved and supported. There’s a lot about “what’s supposed to be” during this season, but that may not be realistic. So how do you ensure spending time with those who love and support you? 
4. Put together a budget and stick to it. There’s a lot of financial pressure at this time of year, and there is a misconception that gifts and giving will make us whole. That’s not true and may cause us to overspend and create worries. 
5. Everything in moderation. Folks tend to overeat and drink too much. I’d suggest thinking about meal planning and being clear about alcohol consumption. Don’t drink and drive; avoid conflicts and difficult discussions if intoxicated. 
6. Management of your and your family’s schedule. The structure of our days tends to crumble at this time of year. School is out, there are celebrations and parties, and travel. Especially for younger children, try to make this manageable and come up with a reasonable daily and weekly schedule. Your kids will thank you for it. The same applies to travel plans. 
7. Practice patience and kindness with everyone you encounter this time of year. None of us know what others are going through, given the pressures and expectations of the holiday season. So, patience and kindness with one another are of the utmost importance. 

Finally, if you or someone you know is struggling this holiday season, consider how to bring, or receive, support and professional help if needed. I hope these suggestions will be taken to heart and may improve your experience this holiday season! 

Michael Bütz, PhD, is a clinical and neuropsychologist with SCL Health Medical Group - Billings Behavioral Health, part of Intermountain Healthcare. 

The St. Vincent Healthcare Pediatric and  Emergency Department teams just finished redesigning patient rooms to create a calming and healing environment for our young patients and their families.

“We have transformed two patient rooms to be pediatric-friendly with different themes,” shared, Lilly Solares, RN and Pediatric Educator at St Vincent. "Creating these environments can have a number of different benefits shown through studies at pediatric hospitals.  It allows our youngest patients be more comfortable, decreases anxiety and allows our providers to break down some of those barriers when the families first come to the Emergency Department. We have heard that the adults enjoy them too!”

“We know it can be a very stressful time for kids when they come in and we want to make them and their parents feel more at ease,” shared Josh Bunz, Manager of the Emergency Department. “Having this artwork up, and through the additional smaller things we are doing to make our ED more pediatric-friendly, will really help with our continuum of care  and let our patients know that they will be safe and well cared for while they are with us.”

A big thank you to the teams involved in this project and the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation for supporting this creative way to care for our community.  

Physical therapy is often known for helping patients recover from heart conditions, strokes, or orthopedic treatments.  For Jolynn Miller, a physical therapist at St. Vincent, her work specializes in supporting cancer patients with a focus on helping those in treatment and recovery from breast cancer.  

"This is a group of patients that need a lot of support. Our breast cancer patients go through a lot, from chemo to radiation and surgery," said Miller. "My job is to help them with a better quality of life during their journey. Although they may still be in recovery, we want to help them get to a point where they can do the things they enjoy and feel well enough to say 'Yes, I can do this.'"  

For Miller, her work is personal. Watching her mother undergo breast cancer treatment inspired her to learn more about physical therapy for cancer patients and receive certifications in the practice.  

"Although she has been cancer-free for 16 years, my mom still has physical effects of her treatment," said Miller. "Through my certifications, I have learned how cancer and its treatments impact our patients' bodies and cause some common side effects. With this understanding, my work is to help patients manage some of these challenges. It could be weakness, pain, or fatigue, and we work through it."   

Jolynn Miller, right, pictured with her mother 

For Bonny Moore of Red Lodge, her ongoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer has been challenging. Still, her work with Miller has helped her maintain a positive attitude and a sense of control over the side effects of her surgery and treatment.  

Moore has been working on and off with Miller for the last two years. After being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, Moore underwent chemotherapy and had a mastectomy in December 2020. In recovery from surgery, she started to work with Miller and then came back for additional treatment once she found that her cancer had spread and was undergoing further treatment.  

Moore lives an active outdoor lifestyle with teenage children at home and grandkids in Georgia. One of her hopes for this year is to work with Miller to get back on her mountain bike.  

"It has been working great! The therapy gives me power and the confidence that I can do this," said Moore. “My goal is to keep myself strong and healthy. I have a lot to live for.”     

Bonny Moore with her children

Miller's work with Moore has been to improve movement and pain in her neck and chest and to help control lymphedema, a common side effect for patients during and after breast cancer treatment.    

During breast cancer treatment, lymph nodes under the arm may be removed or treated with radiation, causing the lymph system to not function properly, leading to fluid buildup, swelling, and pain in the arm, chest, and armpit. Moore has seen dramatic improvement from her physical therapy treatments and wants others to understand its benefits.  

"When you are first diagnosed, you feel like 'what now?'," shared Moore. "Once you have a plan, you feel so much better. And physical therapy is one of the tools you can have in your toolbox when going through treatment. It can give you more control over the side effects. "    

In addition to her physical therapy, Moore has changed how she eats and exercises to improve her stamina and mental health and shared that going through this journey has helped deepen her faith.  

"Everything is different once you wrap your head around the fact that your life is going to change," said Moore about being diagnosed with breast cancer. "I know it may be surprising, but my life has changed for the better through this."  

The physical therapy treatments have also greatly benefited Jillian Nelson of Columbus, who is receiving ongoing therapies for metastatic breast cancer and had a double mastectomy.  

"The surgery and treatments really tick off your nerves and cause problems with your lymphatic system," said Nelson. "The physical therapy has been extremely beneficial in helping to loosen up and untack the skin from my muscles as well as draining and redirecting the lymphatic fluid."  

During Nelson's appointments, Miller uses massage and cupping methods in her treatments.  

"I would tell anyone going through these procedures that they can benefit from physical therapy," said Nelson. "Not only does it help with managing pain, but it helps in getting back range of motion in your arms, which is so important for everyday life."  

Nelson, a mother with young children, also shared how her cancer treatment has impacted her relationships, faith, and perspective on life. "Every day is a new day to make the best of life with my family and friends, but most importantly, my Father in heaven. He's the glue that holds me together and keeps me strong."  

With many of her patients, Miller develops long-term close relationships, often working with them for years as they undergo treatment and recovery.  

"I will continue to work with Jolynn until she tells me that I can't benefit from her services, and then I will cry," Nelson joked.  

And for Miller, the focus is always on the patient. "When I first see my patients, the conversation starts with where they want to go. My goals are always driven by their goals, and that is what we work towards together."   

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, accounting for 25 percent of all cancer deaths.  Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Unfortunately, most lung cancer is found only after symptoms occur.  During November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, St. Vincent is raising awareness about advancements in robotic technology that can allow for lung cancer to be identified in the initial stages, when treatments can be more effective. St. Vincent recently performed its first robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for a minimally invasive biopsy of the lung, using a new robotic technology now available at the hospital.   

 On Monday, November 21, the St. Vincent lung cancer team hosted a robotic surgery demonstration, showcasing two robots used for lung cancer procedures at the hospital. High school students from the Medical Careers at the Billings Career Center were in attendance to learn about the cutting-edge robotic technology and how St. Vincent teams are utilizing it in lung cancer care. In addition to observing a demo, students had a hands-on experience with the equipment.  For those who meet the criteria, annual cancer screenings can help find lung cancer at the initial stages. Below are the criteria for candidates for lung screening:  

•   Age 50-77  
• At least a 20-pack year smoking history (two pack per day for 10 years or 1 pack per day for 20 years)  
• Current smoker or have smoked in the past 15 years 

 If you are interested in a lung cancer screening, contact your medical provider. 

• Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lafayette, Colorado 
• Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
• Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colorado
• Platte Valley Medical Center, Brighton, Colorado
• St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center, Grand Junction, Colorado
• St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, Montana 

“This national distinction celebrates our caregivers and their achievements in ensuring our patients receive the best possible care,” said Mark Korth, president of Intermountain Healthcare, Peaks Region. “As we continue to enhance our safety mission, we are united in our commitment to healthcare safety as we advance our mission of helping people live the healthiest lives possible.” 

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring. 

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.” 

To see Intermountain Healthcare’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in hospitals, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.  

# # # 

About Intermountain Healthcare 

SCL Health is now part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S. A nonprofit healthcare system, Intermountain Healthcare is comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, and medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by consistently using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. 

About The Leapfrog Group

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for our newsletter.

 Cody Regional Health and St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Healthcare, have partnered to launch a flight program that will serve the needs of the Greater Wyoming Basin Region with high-quality, cost-effective transport services. This service will be Wyoming’s only hospital-owned flight program located in the Cowboy State.

“With the recent closures of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) services and the high costs of air medical transport, we feel that the establishment of an air medical flight program located in the Big Horn Basin will provide a lower cost and a higher quality of care to patients in Northern Wyoming,” said Doug McMillan, Cody Regional Health CEO.

Cody Regional Health operates the largest EMS network in Northern Wyoming, while St. Vincent Healthcare has operated HELP Flight, an air medical transport program, for over 40 years. Together, the two organizations aim to strengthen and sustain EMS services in Northern Wyoming.

“We are always looking to further support the communities we serve by expanding access to care and finding solutions to help ease the way for our patients, so they can receive the medical treatment and services they need,” stated Jen Alderfer, President of St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain Healthcare’s Montana | Wyoming Market. “That’s why we are proud to partner with Cody Regional Health as we work together to establish a service that will better care for Northern Wyomingites.”

The flight program will launch with one rotor wing aircraft and is expected to be operational in Spring of  2023.

According to the CDC, there are nearly 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States every year, usually occurring in infants less than a year old. In 2020, there were about 1,389 deaths due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), about 1,062 deaths due to unknown causes, and about 905 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. According to the CDC, Montana ranks 41 out of 51 in sudden unexpected infant death rates (132.3 per 100,000 live births).

To help families in Montana keep their little ones in the safest environment possible, St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Healthcare, provides education and resources as the first hospital in Billings to be recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Recipient,” for a commitment to reducing infant, sleep-related deaths by promoting and educating on best safe sleep practices. St. Vincent caregivers shared tips for new families on creating a safe sleep environment with NonStop Local News. Watch the story below. 

St. Vincent’s Mother & Newborn, NICU and Pediatric teams are dedicated to doing all they can to reduce infant mortality rates and take great pride in educating each family in their care about the importance of a safe sleep environment for their new baby. Additionally, all families are provided with a safe wearable blanket for their child before they leave the hospital. For families that may not have a safe sleep environment for their child, thanks to a generous donation from the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, portable cribs are provided to ensure that all families have a safe sleeping environment for their infants from the day they arrive home from the hospital.

During October, SIDS Awareness Month, St. Vincent wanted to share important Safe Sleep Tips that families should follow every day to keep their infant safe and healthy:

TIP #1: Always place baby alone, on his or her back, in a crib for EVERY sleep time.

TIP #2: Use a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet with no other bedding or soft items in the sleep area.

TIP #3: Dress your baby in a wearable blanket for sleeping. Do not put soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, or loose bedding under baby, over baby, or anywhere in baby ’s sleep area.

TIP #4: Share your room with baby, but don’t share a bed. Keep baby in your room close to your bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for baby’s first year, but at least for the first 6 months.

TIP #5: There should be no smoking near pregnant women or infants. Set strict rules for smoke free homes and cars. Eliminate second-hand tobacco smoke from all places in which children and other nonsmokers spend time.

TIP #6: Avoid products that go against safe sleep recommendations, especially those that claim to prevent or reduce the risk for SIDS.

TIP #7: Don’t overheat or overdress your baby. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult (between 68-72 degrees F).

TIP #8: Breastfeed your baby to reduce the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding has many health benefits for mother and baby. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting baby in an adult bed, place him or her back in a separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.

TIP #9: Follow guidance from your health care provider on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups.

TIP#10: Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake and someone is watching.

(Source: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov)

Ladies Night  - a Virtual Health Event on Women’s Health was an evening filled with inspirational reflections and learnings for women of all ages.  Jen Alderfer, President of the Montana | Wyoming Market for Intermountain Healthcare led an expert panel of providers discussing heart health, OB-GYN, midwifery, gynecologic oncology care, family medicine and overall wellness. Women had an opportunity to engage with the panel and ask questions about their health. 

Billings, Mont. (September 22, 2022) – St. Vincent Healthcare, part of Intermountain Healthcare, is pleased to announce that it has received the 2022 Best Place to Work Award for large hospitals in the state by the Montana Hospital Association. The Best Place to Work Award honors healthcare organizations that go the extra mile in enhancing employee satisfaction through basic or creative retention strategies. Nominations effectively described improvements that have been made to the work environment, retention efforts currently in place, and how employee work satisfaction has benefited from these improvements.

“St. Vincent Healthcare goes the extra mile to attract and retain high-quality healthcare talent. We are pleased to honor them with our 2022 Best Place to Work Award,” said Rich Rasmussen, Montana Hospital Association CEO. “The pandemic has demonstrated the importance of supporting our healthcare workforce and St. Vincent Healthcare is a leader as a great place to work.”

Especially during the pandemic, St. Vincent Healthcare focused on supporting its workforce and continuing to provide the highest-quality care to all patients, through a variety of services including, creating peer-to-peer support groups, coordinated child care services for hospital staff to reduce the burden of school and child care center closures, and established an employee financial assistance program that provided more than $166,000 to 170 caregivers experiencing financial distress due to a partner’s job loss, the need to care for family members, and more. The hospital has also created the Caring for our Caregivers campaign to provide enhanced support for the mental health and well-being of all hospital staff. 

“While our caregivers provide safe, patient-centered care to the communities we serve, we are committed to providing an exceptional and safe work environment for our caregivers,” shared Jen Alderfer, President, St. Vincent Healthcare & Montana | Wyoming Market of Intermountain Healthcare. “It is gratifying and reaffirming to have MHA recognize what we experience everyday at St. Vincent, which is the unwavering commitment from our caregivers to our mission, values and each other.”

B. Joan McCoy, registered nurse and house supervisor at St. Vincent Healthcare shared, “I’ve had the privilege of walking these halls for nearly 30 years; I just love this place. We care compassionately for our community members and sometimes, even our own. And while we’re on the frontline delivering safe, high quality care to our patients, it’s reassuring to know that our hospital leadership is working behind the scenes to ensure that our caregivers are also being cared for. I am just so proud to work for this hospital.”

Further, national organizations have recognized the organization's efforts as models. The Brandon Hall Group recognized St. Vincent with a Gold Certification for Organizational Excellence, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to supporting lifelong learning. Cigna awarded St. Vincent and SCL Health with its prestigious Well-Being Award as a testament to the ongoing investment in supporting the unique needs of employees and their families. Only 2% of hospitals nationwide have received this honor.

As a leader on the care management team, Emily Caudill often follows a patient's care journey from beginning to end. After encountering several patients unable to provide medical information and without an emergency contact, Emily drew on personal experience to find a proactive solution. 

“Several years ago, my grandmother had a stroke and was in an assisted living facility at the time,” she shared. “At this facility, they required that all residents have a Vial of Life, a container that includes all important health information and emergency contact information in an easily accessible place.” 

The Vial of Life is a novel way to make crucial medical information readily available for family members or first responders in the case of an emergency. In most cases, it is kept in a labeled plastic vial, plastic container, or plastic bag and placed in a prominent, easy-to-find location such as the refrigerator. Additionally, it is recommended that an individual place a decal near the front door and on the refrigerator alerting first responders or family members as to where the information can be found. 
 

In the case of Emily’s grandmother, because this information was readily available, the care she received was more efficient when she arrived at the hospital. 

“When an individual arrives for emergency care and is unable to provide important information about medical conditions or medications they are taking, it can be a bit of detective work for our care teams,” Emily shared. “Without the information, additional labs and tests may be needed to gain more information. The Vial of Life can be a time saver, a cost saver, and, in some cases, a lifesaver.”

Currently, Emily is working with the care management team to provide the kits, including the vials and the forms, to interested St. Vincent patients during discharge and encourage them to use them. Especially for patients that live alone and may not have an emergency contact in our community, having a Vial of Life could have a significant impact. 

Several other care management teams across the Peaks Region are considering implementing the program at their respective sites after the St. Vincent team successfully presented their pilot program at a recent regional meeting. 

For the initial pilot, Emily partnered with the St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation to provide the kits to patients.

Back on the track this year at Billings West High School, patients impacted by cancer and St. Vincent caregivers shared stories of hope during the 2022 Relay for Life of Yellowstone County. 

Survivors like Shilo, who began treatment for pancreatic cancer just a year ago, helped bring awareness to the challenges of undergoing treatment, the caring spirit of the caregivers that work in cancer care that provide hope, and the innovative treatments that saved his life. 

He also made sure to recognize his nurses, like Ali, who helped him through his journey, “as amazing as all the doctors and surgeons are, the nurses are the ones who really run the show.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”  

(See Shilo’s story shared by KULR8)

The event was also an opportunity to bring awareness to the importance of screening in identifying and treating cancer early. Vonni Bray partnered with the Mobile Mammography team at St. Vincent to share her powerful story about the importance of convenient access to screening and care. 

Vonni used the mobile mammography service for almost ten years, when it was available at her SCL Health primary care clinic in Laurel. During her annual screening last year, they found an abnormality. After additional tests, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and promptly underwent surgery and treatment and, now a year later, is cancer free.

She shared about the importance of screening and the impact it had on her care, “It’s such a simple thing you can do, especially with the ease of the bus, there really is no excuse.”  

(Watch Vonni’s message about the importance of early detection and screening)

The St. Vincent caregivers are honored to care for and walk alongside our patients, like Shilo and Vonni, through their treatment and healing. As a presenting sponsor for Relay For Life of Yellowstone County, it is inspiring to participate and lift up all those in the community who have been impacted by cancer. The important event continues to support research and innovations in the treatment of cancer and support cancer patients in our community and provide a meaningful opportunity to honor those we have lost to cancer.

Dr. Patrick Cobb, Dr. Chimene Dahl, and Dr.  Dr. Saketh Guntupalli announce launch of new program

Women living in the Billings community and the region now have access to some of the most advanced gynecologic oncology care and treatment through a new partnership between St. Vincent Healthcare, now part of Intermountain Healthcare, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. To date, access to gynecologic oncology in Montana has been limited, often requiring doctors to send patients out of network and out of the region to see a specialist.

Through this partnership, gynecologic cancer specialists from University of Colorado School of Medicine will provide advanced treatment consultation and surgical treatments at St. Vincent Healthcare, allowing patients to receive the most innovative treatment from nationally recognized gynecologic oncology specialists close to home in close coordination with their local medical providers.

“When a woman is diagnosed with one of these cancers, she wants to keep her relationship with her own gynecologist,” said Dr. Patrick Cobb, St. Vincent Healthcare Medical Director of Oncology Research. “We want to set up a system where our local gynecologists participate in the care of these women alongside these incredibly skilled university surgeons who can now perform operations in Billings.”

Approximately 89,000 U.S. women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year. The latest highly specialized approaches to surgery and treatment offer the best hope of recovery for many women. The five main types of gynecologic cancer are uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar.

“We’d been in discussions for some time and realized the synergy between our organizations,” said Dr. Saketh Guntupalli, the University of Colorado’s gynecologic oncology program director. “We are a genetics-based practice and part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a group of institutions that practice high-level cancer care at the forefront of research and development.”

One of the strengths of the partnership is the CU School of Medicine’s clinical trials portfolio, with over 35 cutting-edge clinical trials for women with gynecologic cancer, using things like immunotherapy, vaccines, and novel agents. Additionally, the patients' cases are discussed as part of a multidisciplinary tumor board at the University of Colorado, allowing for up to ten different specialists within the practice to offer opinions on a patient’s case .

“The partnership gives our patients the chance to be included in national studies and access innovative therapies and medications,” added Dr. Chimene Dahl, labor and delivery medical director at St. Vincent. “In the past, you’d have to go to a cancer center in a major city to find these options.”

“Our physician partners in this program are some of the best in the world,” said Dr. Cobb. “They have a hand in creating the guidelines that we use for taking care of these women. The fact that they’re willing to come here to work with our patients is a huge deal.”

Current SCL Health patients can access gynecologic oncology services by talking to their doctor or OB/GYN, or by contacting St. Vincent at 406-238-6290.

“I’m alive because of the firefighters I work with,” said Doug Koffler, 51, captain with the Billings Fire Department. 

While on the scene of a structure fire in March of this year, Koffler felt a little off. “I came out of the structure really hot, sweating and I couldn’t cool off,” he said. “My team picked up that something was wrong. I told them that I just needed to go back and take shower. Thankfully, they didn’t let me.” 

After checking his pulse and doing an initial evaluation at the site, including an EKG (electrocardiogram) the firefighters and paramedics on the scene determined that Koffler was having a heart attack and needed to be rushed to St. Vincent Healthcare. In the case of a heart attack, first responders are able to notify the hospital for an early activation of the heart care team. 

“I was in classic denial,” said Koffler. “During my career, I have taken care of hundreds of folks suffering a heart attack and thought to myself, ‘this couldn’t be happening to me’.” 

When he arrived at St. Vincent, he was immediately evaluated by Dr. Brandon Henckel, interventional cardiologist, and the heart team at St. Vincent. It was determined that Koffler was having a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attack, or a complete blockage of an artery and the blood flow to the myocardium, the heart muscle. In these cases it is critical to re-open the artery to restore blood flow to the heart to prevent permanent damage. Henckel and his team used a catheter-device to inflate a balloon in Koffler’s artery to clear the blockage. The team also identified another artery with a partial blockage and placed two stents during the procedure to keep those arteries open. 

In the case of a STEMI heart attack, timely identification of symptoms and quick treatment is absolutely critical, as Henckel shared, “time is muscle.” As more time passes from the onset of symptoms, more damage is done to the heart, leading to potentially irreversible damage or even death. In Koffler’s case, his symptoms presented as fatigue, sweating, and discomfort in his back. Thankfully, his team also knew and recognized the symptoms of heart attack and responded quickly. 

Koffler’s timely treatment was also due to St. Vincent Healthcare being an accredited Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology, certifying that it meets national standards for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack. Henckel shared that being part of this program includes education and continuous improvement in the process of treating patients like Koffler. 

“We are continually comparing our results with national standards and also sharing our best practices with other partners and organizations,” he said. 

St. Vincent’s Chest Pain Center accreditation is one of the many ways the organization lives out its commitment to ensuring Montana and Wyoming residents have access to the highest level of lifesaving care the moment they need it. 

Because of the quick intervention, Koffler is hoping to make a full recovery. He is currently in a cardiac rehab program at St. Vincent, feeling better and getting stronger each week. He even felt well enough this week to help a friend in need fix a damaged bridge on his property due to the current flooding in our area. Koffler will be evaluated by Dr. Henckel and the heart team in July and he hopes to get the green light to get back on the engine and re-join his crew at the Billings Fire Department. 

Committed to a Healthier Community 

Both St. Vincent Healthcare and the Billings Fire Department are supporters of the annual Heart and Sole Run, taking place this Saturday, June 18 in Billings. The proceeds go towards the Billings YMCA and improving the Billings trail system through Billings TrailNet. The Billings Fire Department raises the flag each year at the starting line to kick off the race and St. Vincent Healthcare is a presenting sponsor along with the Billings Gazette. 

Supporting community resources that create a healthier community is essential to supporting heart health and helping those in recovery from a heart attack and other heart conditions, said Henckel.

“Prevention of heart conditions starts with good habits such as regular exercise and a healthy diet,” said Henckel. “Having these community resources accessible helps our community maintain these healthy habits, and also gives people like Doug more opportunities to get back to full health.”

 St. Vincent Healthcare has a long legacy of providing high quality pediatric care to the region. In 2016 St. Vincent Healthcare, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah and University of Utah established a strong partnership to expand pediatric services and access to  pediatric specialists in Montana. Recently, Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital, was Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital was ranked as one of nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric specialty services.  In April of this year, SCL Health merged with Intermountain Healthcare, further strengthening the commitment and access to pediatric services. Together, these organizations and pediatric healthcare providers are caring for our region’s children so they can heal close to home.

St. Vincent also specializes in critical and pediatric trauma care. With the only dedicated pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric surgery program in eastern Montana, the specially trained, kid-friendly doctors and nurses at St. Vincent provide safe, specialized care for infants, children and their families.

“What excites me about this project is the ‘why’ behind it,” said Jen Alderfer, President of St. Vincent Healthcare and the Montana Region. “We are doing this to elevate healthcare in our area for future generations of Montanans, building a healthier community for all of those we serve.” 

The guiding principle in the new hospital's design is the patient and their needs both now and in the future. With patients and caregivers at the center of this work, flexibility and ensuring the facility is built to meet how hospital care, hospital stays, and hospital visits will change is critical. 

One example of how the new facility will be flexible is that all patient rooms will likely be able to be converted into ICU rooms if needed. All patient rooms will be light, bright, and welcoming, leading to a better patient experience. And post-COVID airflow will be improved to meet infection control best practices in patient care areas, and increased oxygen capacity will be added for the entire facility. 

“Our community has supported us for over a hundred years,” said Krikor Jansezian, COO of St. Vincent Healthcare. “We are proud to provide them with the highest quality care in our state, and are eager to serve them in a facility that addresses all of their health care needs in the most efficient, state-of-the-art setting.” 

Before construction begins, many steps need to take place, including city approval of anticipated planning zoning variances, and final project approval from the Intermountain Healthcare Board of Directors. Once all approvals are received, it is anticipated that construction will take approximately five years to complete. 

Learn more about the New St. Vincent Healthcare at: newstvincent.org. 

About St. Vincent Healthcare and Intermountain Healthcare

Serving the people of Montana, Wyoming, and the western Dakotas for more than 120 years, St. Vincent Healthcare is located in Billings, Montana. In addition to 12 primary care clinics in and around the Billings area, St. Vincent Healthcare offers dozens of progressive specialty services and a 286-bed hospital. St. Vincent even has a special “hospital within a hospital” just for children, St. Vincent Children’s Healthcare. St. Vincent Healthcare has more than 1,700 associates and over 500 physicians and advanced care professionals. St. Vincent Healthcare is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently. To learn more about St. Vincent Healthcare, visit svh.org.
 

Watch Q2 News Coverage

Read Billings Gazette Story.

BOZEMAN, MT— St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings is helping propel health care forward in Montana with a $3 million gift to Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing, which will be used to permanently endow the college’s new certified nurse midwifery program, according to hospital and university officials. The new program is Montana’s first and only certified nurse midwifery program. 

“St. Vincent Healthcare has been caring for women and welcoming babies into this world for more than a century. That legacy is the foundation of our commitment to creating a healthier community for generations to come. By partnering with MSU to develop this much-needed nurse midwifery program for our state, we will not only improve the health of the communities we serve but will also help to address a critical workforce shortage within the health care field,” said Jen Alderfer, president of St. Vincent Healthcare and the Montana region of SCL Health. “We are proud to be able to support this significant investment to launch the St. Vincent Certified Nurse Midwifery Program because we understand the profound, positive impact certified nurse midwives provide to women and children throughout Montana.” 

St. Vincent has offered certified nurse midwifery as part of its mother-newborn care since 1990. The organization’s midwifery team offers personalized care, outstanding outcomes and a wide range of pregnancy care and birth options for expecting families. Additionally, St. Vincent certified nurse midwives conduct outreach programs on the Northern Cheyenne reservation with the goals of improving pregnancy outcomes in the reservation communities and decreasing the need for neonatal intensive care for infants by helping to identify risk factors and educating mothers-to-be. 

“We are deeply grateful to our partners at St. Vincent Healthcare for their commitment to nursing education and maternal health across Montana,” said MSU President Waded Cruzado. “Their generosity will help ensure that mothers and their babies across our state, particularly in rural and remote areas, will receive the health care they need and deserve.” 

MSU’s certified nurse midwifery program will significantly increase the number of specialized maternal health care providers who can deliver services to rural and remote communities in Montana. 

Certified nurse midwives are educated to provide health care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, in addition to sexual and reproductive health care for women throughout their lives. MSU expects to enroll the program’s first group of eight students in fall 2024, with those students graduating as nurse midwives in 2027. 

The new program comes after Mark and Robyn Jones announced in August 2021 a philanthropic investment of $101 million to Montana State University. In addition to providing funds for the creation of Montana’s only certified nurse midwifery program, the gift provides for the construction of new, larger, state-of-the-art educational facilities on the five campuses of its nursing college in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula; establishes five endowed faculty professorships to position MSU to attract top faculty talent during a nationwide nursing faculty shortage; and develops an endowed scholarship fund that will allow the nursing college to keep the cost of nursing education affordable for all students. 

Mark and Robyn Jones are the founders of Goosehead Insurance Inc., which has offices across the nation. Founded in 2003 by Robyn Jones, Goosehead now has more than 2,300 offices in the U.S. 

MSU’s nursing college, now named the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing, provides baccalaureate-, master’s- and doctoral-educated nurses. 

The endowment from St. Vincent Healthcare will help defray technology expenses for the midwifery program, as well as provide additional funding for students enrolled in the program and resources for faculty, according to Sarah Shannon, dean of the MSU Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing. Shannon noted that certified nurse midwifery education is among the most expensive in nursing education, largely because midwives are required to have first-hand clinical experience with a variety of unique birth and other care experiences rather than a flat number of clinical hours. In a rural state like Montana, this can mean substantial travel for students living in remote communities. In addition, birth manikins used in simulations are some of the most expensive to acquire, maintain and replace.

“Moms and newborns in rural communities need rapid access to specialized maternal services,” Shannon said. “Certified nurse midwives, like obstetricians, are able to assess when a mom may be in imminent risk of premature delivery, when a fetus begins to show early signs of distress, or when a pregnant woman’s general health may be at risk. Early identification and transfer to the appropriate level of care, often only available in a larger community, saves both mothers and babies lives.” 

Shannon said there is a great need for more maternal health care providers in Montana, with more than half of Montana’s counties lacking an obstetric physician or nurse midwife to provide specialized maternal health care. For women living in Montana’s rural and remote counties, Shannon continued, only 66.2% receive early prenatal care compared to 77.9% for those in more urban counties. In addition, Montana currently has the sixth highest rate of maternal mortality in the U.S., and infant mortality rates in Montana exceed national norms. 

But, Shannon said, there is hope: Research has shown that when mothers receive early, competent and appropriate care, their outcomes and the outcomes of their newborns are improved. 

To meet the need for specialized maternal health care in Montana, particularly in the state’s rural and remote areas, Shannon said MSU’s new nurse midwifery program will produce up to 40 new certified nurse midwives by 2030. 

The college expects that 80% of those graduates will stay in Montana for employment – and with a projected shortfall of 30 certified nurse midwives statewide by 2030 – the program should meet the projected shortfall of certified nurse midwives in Montana’s rural and tribal communities by 2030. Currently, Shannon said, there are only 40 certified nurse midwives in the state serving Montana’s 56 counties, with the majority practicing in Montana’s larger communities. 

“Montanans value being able to raise their families in rural communities,” Shannon said. “The goal of MSU’s nursing college is to help ensure individuals and families in our frontier and rural communities have convenient access to excellent health care providers to help meet their health care needs.” 

St. Vincent Healthcare has been serving the people of Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas for ​nearly 125 years. In addition to 12 primary care clinics in and around the Billings area, St. Vincent Healthcare is a Magnet-designated organization that offers dozens of progressive specialty services and a 286-bed hospital. St. Vincent even has a special “hospital within a hospital” just for children, St. Vincent Children’s Healthcare. St. Vincent Healthcare has more than 1,700 associates and over 500 physicians and advanced care professionals. St. Vincent Healthcare is part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit health care system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming health care by using evidence-based best practices to deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs consistently. To learn more about St. Vincent Healthcare, visit svh.org. 

Founded in 1937, Montana State University’s Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing offers bachelor’s, accelerated bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral-level nursing education to produce nurses, nurse leaders, nurse educators and nurse practitioners for Montana. Great Falls was the first location where upper division, clinical nursing education was offered, followed by the establishment of the Billings nursing campus in 1939, Missoula campus in 1976, and Kalispell campus in 2002. While nursing majors have taken prerequisite courses in Bozeman at MSU since 1937, upper division or clinical nursing education was first offered at the Bozeman campus location in 2004. 

Montana State University is the largest producer of registered nurses in Montana and is the sole provider of doctoral nurse practitioner education in the state. More information is available at montana.edu/nursing.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital rating program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. 

“As our healthcare system continues to feel the strain of the pandemic, I thank the workforce and leadership of the legacy SCL Health System, now Intermountain Healthcare, for sustained commitment to patient safety, day in and day out,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is an outstanding achievement and one that is impossible without a 24/7 effort by the entire healthcare workforce to protect patients from harm. This community should be proud.” 

To see the top-grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. 

About The Leapfrog Group 

Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward for patient safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. 

About Intermountain Healthcare 

Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lutheran Medical Center, Saint Joseph Hospital, Platte Valley Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and St. Vincent Healthcare iis part of the Intermountain Healthcare system. Based in Utah with locations in seven states (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit healthcare system comprised of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,800 employed physicians and advanced practice providers. To help people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs.