More care, closer to home: St. Joe’s opens new Rural Health Clinic

The new clinic expands access to primary care and specialty services for patients throughout the Flathead and Mission valleys.

The first phase of an historic campaign to transform rural healthcare is complete – resulting in the opening of a new Rural Health Clinic at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. The clinic is part of an overall effort to expand patients’ access to exceptional care for communities throughout the Flathead and Mission valleys – now and for generations to come.

The first scheduled patients were seen Monday, Oct. 5. 

The clinic will double primary care services and create more continuity of care for other specialty needs. The clinic was fully funded through gifts from our generous community. Donor support of St. Joe’s Critical Access Campaign has raised $16.5 million toward the $18 million goal.

This clinic is part of a $26 million project to expand access and enhance exceptional primary care at our region’s top critical access hospital, ensuring services are available when and where they are needed most. Support from donors will cover more than two-thirds of the cost of the multiphase campus transformation. 

“Opening the doors of our Rural Health Clinic is a significant step forward in our Mission to provide accessible, high-quality care for all. This facility increases our capacity to serve patients while creating space for future growth in services and providers,” said Caryl Perdaems, chief administrative officer, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.

A campaign to transform healthcare in Polson

Our community’s needs for healthcare outgrew St. Joe’s capacity years ago, and this project is a much-needed response to rising demands by providing:

• A brand-new Rural Health Clinic to break down barriers, increase patient access and build trust by providing continuity of care services close to home.
• A re-imagined emergency department designed to respond to urgent needs with safety, speed, and compassion as it focuses on the rising need for behavioral health and substance use support. 
• An innovative MRI suite inside the hospital, constructed within steps of other services, to elevate the patient experience and enhance diagnostic capabilities.

“The opening of the Rural Health Clinic reflects the remarkable generosity of our community,” said Megan Beard, senior philanthropy officer for Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. “Every gift, partnership and act of support played a role in making this first phase possible. I am energized by what lies ahead and committed to continuing the work of transforming care, expanding access and creating healthier futures for the people we serve.”