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Stewardship of Resources and Charity Care
- North Valley Hospital and Foundation Benefits Provided to our Communities -
A commitment to “stewardship of resources” is a part of the mission and vision of North Valley Hospital. Those resources are budgeted as operating expenses throughout the year; however, many more dollars are distributed in Charity Care.
North Valley Hospital’s contribution to patients, who could not afford their medical care, was $7.5 million in 2005…almost every 30% of every dollar taken into the operating revenue. Over $75,500 in-kind services also go out to help Shepherd’s Hand Clinic (SHC) each year. Shepherd’s Hand provides free medical care to help the estimated 30% of Flathead County’s population who are un-insured or under-insured.
The funds and in-kind gifts North Valley Hospital contributes every year to SHC also help balance healthcare costs for others who are insured. “The clinic takes pressure off the hospital emergency room,” said Meg Erickson, RN. M.N., Clinic Director. Of 45,000 NVH outpatient visits in 2005, over 8000 of those visits were to the Emergency Room.
An SHC patient, who needs an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging service, may see a Doctor at SHC, then be referred and scheduled for the service at NVH (free of charge for those who qualify through Shepherd’s Hand). In 2005, 15,000 out-patient visits were through the Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging Department. Under-insured or un-insured patients may then return to Shepherd’s Hand Clinic the next week for diagnosis and referral or treatment as needed. Without contributions from North Valley Hospital and many other medical professionals in our community, Shepherd’s Hand Clinic may have to find other funding sources.
North Valley Hospital has supported the efforts of the Shepherd’s Hand since it opened in 1995. Recent figures show SHC sees 37% of patients from Whitefish and 36% of patients from Columbia Falls, 11% from Kalispell, (up until the opening of A Touch of Grace free medical clinic in Kalispell, 50% of patients seen at Shepherd’s Hand were from Kalispell). The remaining 16% come from as far away as Eureka to the North, and the Canyon Communities to the east.
Community services related to healthcare are also supported by NVH. The American Cancer Society, Flathead Industries, Wings Cancer Support, United Way, Jobs Now, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs, Whitefish Winter Classic, Project Whitefish, Whitefish Area Firefighters and ALERT. North Valley Hospital CEO Craig Aasved volunteers his time on the Board of Directors for ALERT to help ensure emergency medical services are always up-to-date and adequate to meet our communities’ growing needs. In 2005, almost $3000 was subsidized for transportation to and from medical appointments through the Agency on Aging and Eagle Transit.
The decision to offer support to the Shepherd’s Hand Clinic, Charity Care, and other services is decided by a volunteer Board of Directors, made up of members from our communities. NVH Hospital Board Members from Columbia Falls are: Mark Johnson, Chair; Hank Ricklefs, Vice Chair; Andy Anderson, Past Chair; Marie Hanson; Deb Melby; and from Whitefish are Jon Torgerson, MD; Jon Miller, MD; Dick Hughes, Secretary; John Kalbfleisch, MD; Turner Askew; Suzanne Daniell, MD; and Terry Nelson.
Our communities’ needs are also represented by the NVH Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. From Columbia Falls are: Carol Dodge, Chair; Dorothy Daley, Past Chair; Don Bennett, Treasurer; and Debbie Melby. From Whitefish are: Brian Lauterbach, Vice Chair; Patty Kogutek; Terry Nelson; Dale Bax, DDS; John Bent, Pastor; Jake Heckathorn; Lyle Phillips; Herbert Kameon; Paul Johannsen; and Luther Campbell. There are also many other volunteers on the Capital Campaign Advisory Committee, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Planetree Volunteers, and all of the staff who work together to meet the healthcare needs of the people of the North Valley.
Sporting and community events are covered by hospital personnel whenever needed. Athletic trainer services are also provided. The Montana State University Nursing Program was gifted by NVH and our area schools are supported with scholarships ($2000) and training opportunities for young people who are interested in a career in healthcare.
The North Valley Hospital Foundation’s Capital Campaign goal of $6.3 Million is directed to help defray financing costs for the new hospital building. Every $1.00 given to the Foundation is very important and adds up over the life of the loan. A dollar given now, prior to the end of the construction period is more than double in value to the hospital.
The NVH Foundation exists to support other needs of the hospital and the communities’ throughout the year. In 2005, Carol Blake, RN, Foundation Director, applied for and received a grant in the amount of $162,500 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. $134,320 was applied to the purchase of the PACS System, an imaging system for the radiology department. The remaining funds are being used for other hospital related needs. $2000 in Mammogram Assistance was provided and over $10,000 went to an EKG machine. Almost $9000 more was raised and distributed for needed supplies for the Planetree Health Resource Library, the NVH Chapel/Meditation Area, and other necessary supplies for patient rooms.
NVH Community Health Education meetings and activities continue to be offered, according to guidelines set by the federal government for non-profit, 501 (c) 3 hospitals and are directed by the NVH Foundation/Community Relations Office. Doctors on staff at North Valley Hospital offer free, up-close-and-personal education in the areas of their specialties: knee or hip replacement or injury; breast surgery; diabetes; sleep apnea; pediatric (children’s) sleep issues; the cardio-vascular system (heart related); and running/walking gait screening. Refreshments are provided and physicians allow time for question and answer periods.
Anyone who is considering a procedure and would like to meet the physician or know more about it is invited to attend. CPR, Safe Sitter, and other safety classes are also offered to the communities.
The Community Calendar and class descriptions can be viewed by clicking on "Community Calendar" to the left of your screen.
Other non-healthcare related groups, from our communities, use North Valley Hospital’s free rooms for their meetings: Stumptown Quilters; Bible Study Groups; Yoga Classes; “Big Sky Money Honey’s”; Pilates Classes; Happy Valley Water District; Kinder Music; Defensive Driving; Dollar Divas; Kiwanis; TaeBoy; Ski Patrol; Power of Humor; Flathead Votes; The Red Cross; Flathead County Planning Board; Rotary Club; Montana Department of Revenue; Weight Watchers; T.O.P.S.; Haskill Basin Water Shed and The Girl Scouts.
North Valley Hospital plans for your healthcare needs and those of your neighbors. We are there for you in an emergency and will be there for you in the future. Our commitment to the stewardship of healthcare resources extends beyond the years and numbers upholding our commitment to be the center of healing for the communities we serve…now and into the future.
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