Ribbon Cutting at Billings Clinic Broadwater
Author: Eliza McLaughlin
Billings Clinic Broadwater officials dedicated the recently expanded clinic, rehabilitation department and emergency room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 30.
"The increased exam room and ER space will allow for us to be a greater resource for our community," said Dr. Phillip Hess, Billings Clinic Broadwater Chief of Staff and Emergency Medicine physician in an agency press release." Broadwater County is growing, and we have grown with those needs as a facility."
Those in attendance spoke not only about the hospital's benefit to Townsend and Broadwater County but also to the state of Montana. Rich Rasmussen, president and CEO of the Montana Hospital Association, said the expansion was a "great day for Montana" explaining that critical access hospitals in Montana are essential to communities like Townsend. Since 2014, hundreds of critical access hospitals have closed throughout the U.S., but none have closed their doors in Montana.
Billings Clinic Broadwater Board Chairman Bill Upthegrove added that the hospital is a major employer in the community. "There's just so many things that a hospital anchors in a community," he said.
The new clinic features nine exam rooms, three new ER bays, and a 1,800-square-foot rehabilitation department relocated above the clinic. Officials in attendance were especially excited about the clinic's front entrance, which was absent before the expansion.
Billings Clinic Broadwater CEO Jenny Clowes praised employees and community members for their support of the project. Clowes said that community members' contributions are an example of their commitment to health care in the community. "This had to happen," Billings Clinic Interim CEO Dr. Clint Seger said, adding that the community wanted to grow and expand its access to healthcare.
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PhotoCredit: Billings Clinic
Image 1 Caption: Billings Clinic Mediivac Helicopter
