Montana

Stillwater Billings Clinic opens in Columbus

Posted: Sep 10, 2012 10:14 AM by Dustin Klemann - Q2 News
Updated: Sep 10, 2012 10:17 AM

COLUMBUS - Beginning Sunday, the new Stillwater Billings Clinic opens its doors to the Columbus and surrounding communities.

Hundreds attended the open house and ribbon cutting of the new facility. Everyone was allowed to tour and scope out the features of the clinic.

The new clinic integrates medical records for patient's in need of specialized care in Billings. Patients are able to use the Stillwater clinic as their medical home but the consistency of medical records makes it easier to receive care outside Columbus.

Last year to the day, ground broke for the new facility. Located next to I-90, the 37,000 square feet, $16 million facility is built to reflect the small town feel the facility will be serving.

Included in the clinic is the expanded emergency department, enhanced cardiac and therapy rehabilitation, radiology and laboratory services as well as a helipad for emergency transport services.

Stillwater Billings Clinic is owned by Stillwater Hospital Association and will be managed by the community of Columbus. Physicians choosing rural work over urban facilities is very much in the minority. Billings Clinic CEO Nick Wolter says clinics like Stillwater benefit both types of communities.

Not only was that project timely in being completed in a year, but officials said they expect the project to finish under budget.

For a closer look at the open house and new facility, watch the video above.