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Medical center receives donations, plans for MRI unit
Published
9 years agoon
By Joseph T. O’Connor EBS Managing Editor
BIG SKY – Knee injuries in ski towns are as ubiquitous as moguls midseason. Since 1973, Big Sky Resort skiers needing medical imaging for injured knees or other maladies were transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital some 60 miles north through Gallatin Canyon.
Now, more than 40 years later, and thanks to over $1 million in donations since January, that could change.
Winter 2015-2016 will see a new area medical facility, the Big Sky Medical Center, set for completion in early December. In 2015 alone, donors have given the nonprofit Bozeman Deaconess Foundation $1,035,000 to assist in completing Phase 1 of Big Sky’s 43,000-square-foot facility, which will include a six-room emergency department; primary care clinic; pharmacy; medevac helicopter-landing pad; laboratory services; a four-bed inpatient unit, and an imaging center.
Contributions from Boyne Resorts along with private donations have helped fund Phase 1 construction costs, but one major contribution will help BSMC’s five newly hired physicians determine if some patients – including those with certain knee injuries – need transport to Bozeman Deaconess Health Services, the health system that’s managing BSMC.
An $850,000 donation spearheaded by Steve and Robin Stephenson will support a permanent, state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging scanner, or MRI, to allow doctors to diagnose damaged ligaments, tendons or other soft-tissue injuries.
Given in the form of a “challenge grant” through the Charles and Peggy Stephenson Family Foundation, the Stephensons are hoping other donors will step forward to help make the dream a reality. Their donation covers approximately half of the $1.7 million needed to completely fund MRI services, according to a recent press release.
“Both Steve and I feel passionate about being in Big Sky,” said Robin, a retired special education teacher
who moved from San Diego to Big Sky in 2006. “We have pledged an initial payment for the cost of the MRI and to build out the space [and] hope others will join us.”The MRI suite is being built in the center of the facility adjacent to a CT scan area. The stationary MRI suite is part of Phase 1 and replaces original plans to house a mobile MRI scanner at the back of the hospital.
“Having that MRI between the emergency department and the clinic will improve both patient care and workflow for our medical staff,” said Jason Smith, executive vice president of BDF.
Both imaging capabilities are essential to proper patient care, according to Dr. Phil Hess, who will assume his position as BSMC’s medical director in early August.
“There are several applications through the emergency department where MRI is preferable to CT scan,” said Hess, who was hired by BDHS in February. “When a patient presents with a stroke, for example.”
The new machine will have a higher magnetic field than the mobile unit, providing better image quality for accurate diagnoses, Hess said. And having the unit stationary ensures patients will have access to medical imaging when they need it.
“A permanent MRI machine is always here,” Robin said. “You don’t have to wait until next Tuesday for it to show up.”
BDF’s Smith says he hopes the Stephenson’s generosity – as well as that of other corporations and individuals who made financial commitments – will be contagious in the Big Sky community.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
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(Wednesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
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(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd