A HERITAGE OF CARING

A Brief History of Healthcare in the Bitterroot Valley

by the Health Information Management Department

Pre 1800’s -- Salish Indians used native plants like arnica, nettles, chokecherries, and willow bark for tonics and poultices.

Arnica blossom

1805 – With some medical training, Lewis serves as the medic for the Corp of Discovery. They pass through the Bitterroot Valley in Sept. 1805.

1841 – Father DeSmet builds St Mary’s mission. This is the 1st permanent white settlement in what will someday be Montana.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1845 – Father Antony Ravalli comes to the valley. Though he comes as a missionary, he has studied medicine at the University of Padua. He uses medicines he has brought and learns to distill and improve native plant remedies. He bleeds his patients – still a common practice in his day. He treats Salish and settlers alike and opens the Valley’s first “drive up pharmacy.”

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1862 -- Montana gold rush begins. Dr. George Hammond amputates both frozen legs of a man at Fort Owen. The man lives.

1870 – The census of the Bitterroot Valley is just over 300.

1871 --Dr. Buker comes to Missoula. He also makes occasional trips down the Bitterroot.

1873 – First recorded death from a mysterious disease that will later become known as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1880 – Doctors have come and gone in the Bitterroot Valley. Many don’t stay more than a year.

1882 – Dr. Joseph T. Coughenour moves to Corvallis. A Civil War veteran, he practices in the valley for 20 years before retiring to his ranch.

1886 – Copper king, Marcus Daly buys a home in the Bitterroot.

The Daly Mansion as it appears today.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1889 – Montana becomes a state.

Late 1890’s – As many as 9 doctors may have been practicing in the valley. One is Karl H. Kellog son of W.H. Kellog of cereal fame. He practices in Stevensville until the early 1900’s when he retires to raise strawberries. He moves away in 1915.

1893 – Ravalli becomes a county.

1895 – First hospital opened in Hamilton. The 2 doctors only manage to keep it open for about a year.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1909 – Dr. Herbert Virgil Hayward arrives in Darby. After serving in WWI, he returns to practice in Darby and Hamilton. He is involved in the development of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and retires in 1951. Dr. Hayward’s partner, Dr. Armon Meis, will practice until his death in 1968. Dr. Meis’s partner, Dr. Glenn Mathias, will practice until 1970. Dr. Mathias’s partner will be Dr. Ashcraft. This is the Physicians Health Clinic.

Dr. Hayward. His clinic becomes the Physicians Health Clinic. Photo from “Bitterroot Trails”

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

Also 1909 – Dr. George Gordon comes to Hamilton and practices until 1936 when he has a stroke. His son, Dr. Donald Gordon, joined the practice when he graduated in 1932. After serving in WWII, he returns to continue what becomes the Bitterroot Clinic.

Other Doctors in the history of the BRC are: Dr. R.L. Peterson, was a president of the Montana Medical Association and retired in 1980. Dr. Donald W. McClean, comes in 1955 and retires in 1986. Dr. Charles Petty who joins the BRC in 1963, retires in 1996, but continues to be a supporter of quality healthcare in the Bitterroot.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1912-- Dr. Lillian Miller turns her hospital over to a Board of Directors. The expenses have proven too much for 1 doctor. The hospital is later moved to South 2nd Street in a building partially owned by Mrs. Daly. Room # 13 is changed to Room # 31 because so many people are superstitious and don’t want to stay there.

1910 – The population of the Bitterroot is nearing 12,000.

1911 -- Dr. Lillian Miller starts a hospital in part of a large apartment building in Hamilton. 12 rooms are for patients and 3 rooms are the nurse’s quarters. An operating room is added.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1918 – An Emergency Hospital in Hamilton is operated by the Red Cross during the world-wide influenza epidemic. Statewide, 3,222 Montanans died in just 6 weeks.

1930 – Marion Hayes graduates from nursing school and begins her nursing career at the Hamilton Hospital. (See timeline entry for 1912).

She helps move patients to the new Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital (see 1931) and will still be caring for patients when the present hospital is built (see 1975). She retires in 1976.

From a Ravalli Republic newspaper clipping

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1931 – The 1st Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital building is completed.

1940’s – Several family members of physicians and their friends form the MDMH Auxiliary. Besides volunteering at the hospital, they also raise funds for needed equipment purchases.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1968 – Dr. Ashcraft comes to Hamilton. He has been practicing in the valley for over 44 years and counting.

1973 – Dr. Stephen S. Ellis begins practicing in the Bitterroot. He is currently retired but continues to serve on the MDMH Board of Directors.

1975 – Current hospital is built under the leadership of administrator Richard Atkins. The new facility includes a Pharmacy and Gary Curran joins the MDMH team. Dr. Moreland joins Dr. Ashcraft at the PHC.

Clockwise: Gary Curran, Dr. Ashcraft, Dr. Moreland, Dr. Ellis and Dr. Stewart

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

Also 1975— Kathy Owings, RN begins her nursing career at MDMH. Today she is head of the Surgery Department.

1980 – Pediatrician, Dr. Ellyn Jones, opens her practice in Stevensville. Today, she is “retired” but continues to care for students at the Trapper Creek Job Corps Center. Also, Dr. Randy Stewart comes to the Bitterroot. He continues to practice at the Family Medicine Center.

1984 – Dr. Jim Hansen starts as MDMH’s first ER doctor. He is “on call” and drives in when needed. Betsy Saylor, RN works in the ER also.

Kathy Owings, RN (top) and Dr. Hansen (below)

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1987 – The Hospital board reviews outpatient needs. At the time, in-patient care was 85% of the hospital’s income. The hospital employed about 80 people, had 9 doctors on staff and had a budget of $1.5 million.

Also in 1987, the Board of Directors is looking for an Administrator to take the hospital into the next generation. They choose Mr. John Bartos.

Mr. Bartos

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

1990 – Deb Nelson joins the MDMH housekeeping team. She and Sue Hull have been here the longest. “Growth” is the biggest change they have seen.

A donation given in 1990 helps spark the creation of the Foundation, dedicated to supporting the hospital financially in major expansions (like the new ER completed in 2008).

1991 – MDMH Hospice is certified. The Hospice Center holds its Grand Opening in 2001.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

2006—MDMH purchases the Ambulance Service.

2007 -- In-patient accounts for only 40% of the hospital’s income and outpatient has grown to 60%. The hospital employs 435 people, has nearly 30 doctors on staff and the budget has grown to $56 million. Striving for better patient care and more employee satisfaction, MDMH launches a new effort-- Daly Excellence -- the culture of excellence.

2008 – New Emergency Room facilities open with more than twice the space.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

2009 – Doors open on the new Rehabilitation Center.

MDMH Home Care ranks #1 in Montana & National rankings.

MDMH is also awarded state and regional Quality Improvement awards.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

2010 – Convenient Care and Hamilton ObGyn get new, updated office space. The Surgery Center receives a fully equipped new operating suite with new technologies.

MDMH becomes a 100% tobacco free campus.

2011 -- We go electronic medical record! The Sleep Center opens and the new Corvallis Family Medicine building is completed. MDMH is voted the Valley’s Best Employer.

The population of Ravalli County is 40,308.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

So far in 2012 – Lab moves to a modern, roomier area. Construction and renovation begins on several important projects.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

In 1975, the hospital was about 50,000 sq. ft. Today it is nearly 250,000 sq. ft. But it is still about people caring for people. MDMH is growing and so is our heritage of caring.

“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department