Polebridge
Polebridge, MT · Health
Lake County Leader
"Quiet" Campaign: High-powered fundraising allows St. Joe's to break ground on new clinic
“This is a place of good heart in our language,” said former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Councilman Steve Lozar of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. There was plenty of “good heart” on display Monday at the groundbreaking of St. Joe’s new clinic. A quiet fundraising campaign, launched a year ago, has raised just over $14 million for the 12,000 square-foot facility, which will be located between St. Joseph Assisted Living and the Boys and Girls Club on 17th Ave. The effort was spearheaded by Megan Beard, St. Joe’s Senior Philanthropy Officer, who credits fundraising co-chairs Blair Sprunk and Diane Long (and their “wingmen,” former Nike COO Eric Sprunk and pro-football defensive end and sports commentator Howie Long) with the remarkable fundraising effort. “They worked tirelessly to bring people in and tell them why this project is important to them, why this community is important to them,” said Beard. “And we've had just an outpouring of incredible gifts.” She also noted that many donors don’t live in the area year-around. Still, they were inspired by the mission of Providence – to care for the poor and vulnerable – and motivated by the belief that “everybody deserves to have
Char-Koosta News
St. Luke Community Hospital Earns Top Honors for Social Responsibility, Value of Care, and Cost Efficiency
RONAN — St. Luke Community Hospital has earned national recognition for its commitment to delivering high-quality, responsible healthcare. In the newly released 2025–26 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility, St. Luke received top marks in multiple categories, earning an A grade in Social Responsibility, Value of Care, and Cost Efficiency.
Lake County Leader
St. Luke garners high ratings in hospital index
St. Luke Community Hospital has earned national recognition for its commitment to delivering high-quality, responsible healthcare in the newly released 2025–26 Lown Hospitals Index for Social Responsibility. St. Luke received top marks in multiple categories, earning A grades in Social Responsibility, Value of Care and Cost Efficiency. Published annually by the independent healthcare think-tank Lown Institute, the index evaluates more than 3,600 hospitals nationwide. The rankings are based on measures that reflect patient-centered care, equity and financial stewardship – areas where St. Luke continues to lead among critical access hospitals. “As a rural hospital, we take great pride in serving our community with compassion, efficiency, and integrity. These honors from the Lown Institute affirm that we are not only meeting our mission – we're setting a high standard for social responsibility and value in healthcare,” said St. Luke CEO Steve Todd. The Lown Hospitals Index is one of the only national rankings to focus on social responsibility, a comprehensive measure that evaluates health equity, clinical outcomes and community benefit. Hospitals are independently assessed and cannot apply or opt into the rankings. For more information on the index, visit lownhospitalsindex.org.
Hungry Horse News
Columbia Falls sewage treatment plant sees upgrades
The city of Columbia Falls is investing about $4 million into its sewage treatment plant, which will increase its capacity to treat nitrogen in the water. Because the plant discharges directly in the Flathead River, it’s held to a high standard by the state on its nitrogen discharges, noted wastewater treatment plant manager Grady Jenkins.
KPAX
Judge postpones sale of Libby's CARD Clinic assets
FOX 28 Spokane
Polson community celebrates groundbreaking for new health clinic
POLSON, Mont. – A significant development for the Polson and Flathead community occurred with the groundbreaking of a new rural health clinic at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. This marks the first phase of a three-part project aimed at enhancing the region’s health services. The expansion is part...
cutbankpioneerpress.com
Dr. Robert Clary receives first Buffalo Pin at the Logan Health Hi-Line facilities as Guiding Gratitude expands regionally
A longtime Logan Health tradition of honoring exceptional care is reaching new corners of the state. Dr. Robert Clary, a physician at Shelby Rural Health Clinic, was recently recognized with a Buffalo Pin, the first awarded in Logan Health's Hi-Line region. The recognition came through Guiding Gratitude, Logan Health Foundation's updated grateful patient and family program, which now offers patients across the system a way to honor caregivers and give back to the communities that support them.
msuexponent.com
With property seized and federal funding uncertain, Montana asbestos clinic fights for its life
LIBBY, Mont. — Dozens of feet of tubing connect Gayla Benefield to her oxygen machine so she can walk from room to room inside her home on the picturesque Kootenai River, surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains. Like many people who live in this remote town about 80 miles from...
Flathead Beacon
Locals Rally Against Medicaid Cuts in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Franteesa Palmatier credits Medicaid as the reason she gets to live a life she loves. The local business owner has spent a lifetime on and off of Medicaid, a government program that provides health insurance for adults and children with limited income. She shared she was born into poverty and...
The Western News
Libby officials make progress with International Paper on water deal
The City of Libby is making progress in its negotiations with International Paper for a new water agreement. At the June 2 meeting, attorney Allan Payne said there are still negotiations occurring about some of the details. “The monetary side has been agreed upon, but there are a few other details to be worked out,” Payne said. The previous agreement ended in June 2020. The new deal would ensure that IP would continue compensating residents for the cost of being unable to use wells due to creosote and other chemicals that leached into an aquifer beneath the city during past wood treatment operations. According to previous reporting in The Western News, compensation from companies for groundwater contamination in Libby dates back to 1985 when Champion International Corporation instituted a “Buy Water Plan.” That year, Champion purchased St. Regis Co., which — along with J. Neils Lumber Co. — was responsible for wood treatment fluids leaching into the aquifers beneath the city from 1946 to 1969, according to court documents. After detecting the chemicals in the water Libby-area homeowners were drawing from their wells, Champion offered to provide an alternative supply to affected residents. In a June 2, 2025, letter from
KPAX
Kalispell healthcare workers and residents rally for Medicaid
Flathead Beacon
With Property Seized and Federal Funding Uncertain, Montana Asbestos Clinic Fights for Its Life
Dozens of feet of tubing connect Gayla Benefield to her oxygen machine so she can walk from room to room inside her home on the picturesque Kootenai River, surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains. Like many people who live in this remote town about 80 miles from the U.S.-Canada border, the...
kffhealthnews.org
With Property Seized and Federal Funding Uncertain, Montana Asbestos Clinic Fights for Its Life
LIBBY, Mont. — Dozens of feet of tubing connect Gayla Benefield to her oxygen machine so she can walk from room to room inside her home on the picturesque Kootenai River, surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains. Like many people who live in this remote town about 80 miles from...
KTLO
Baxter Health introduces David Costner to the Gastroenterology Clinic
With over 20 years of experience in patient-care, including nearly 15 years as a nurse practitioner, David Costner, APRN, is the newest addition to the Baxter Health Gastroenterology Clinic. He will join the practice of Dr. Bodunrin S. Badejo, Dr. William S. Dyer Sr., and nurse practitioners Patricia Acklin, Kimber Jensen, and Amanda Stricklin.