Community Built, Community Owned

In its seventh year, last month’s Fry Healthcare Foundation’s Golf Tournament once again proved to be a huge success, thanks to the many community members who gave of their time to help raise funds for the 501(c)(3) organization. This year’s event raised an impressive $7,500. And for anyone who lives and works in this tight knit community, it is no surprise that residents came together in such a great way to support the needs of the medical community.

On June 12, there were 54 players who hit the links at Mirror Lake Golf Course in support of the foundation’s effort to raise money to purchase a portable ultrasound for the emergency room at Boundary Community Hospital. But there were more than just golfers on the course; a moose calf and a family of geese were spotted as well. After all, this is North Idaho!

Sponsors for the annual event included Rick and Janice Lozoya, Kootenai Health, Yellowstone Insurance Exchange, Idaho Forest Group, Gardiner Prime Angus Beef, Potlatch Credit Union, Pace-Kerby & Co. Inc., Columbia Bank, Kootenai River Inn and Riverside Auto Center.

And there were big-hearted businesses that also stepped forward to donate prizes, money and other items. These included Life Flight Network, Boundary Tractor Company, Community Title Company, Harvest Foods, Edward Jones, Safeway, Auburn Crest Hospice, Festival at Sandpoint, Sugar Plum Floral, Boardwalk Boutique, Picturesque, Stone Ridge Golf Community, Twin Lakes Village, Silverwood Theme Park, Larson’s Clothing and Henry-Griffitts.

At the end of the day, those who declared triumph were Travis Hinthorn and Steve Nelson for the first flight; Dick and Mike Villeli for the second flight; and Linda Hiatt and Karen English for the third flight.

According to Marcia Morman, spokesperson for Boundary Community Hospital, the foundation has raised over $1 million dollars in its 20-year history. But the pillar of medical care in Boundary County began long before that.

The medical facility first opened in 1907, and since that time Boundary Community Hospital has been an integral part of taking care of the health care needs of those in Boundary County and beyond. But it was not until 1949 that Boundary County purchased the hospital. Shortly thereafter, in 1955, the main part of the hospital as we know it today was constructed.

“The grand opening drew 2,500 people on September 18, 1955,” said Morman. “The cost of the hospital was around $350,000. A third of the cost was paid by the Hill-Burton Act (which provides federal grants and guaranteed loans to improve the physical plant of the nation’s hospital system). The community and funds generated at the hospital paid for the balance.”

Over the years, the facility and the services it provides have continued to expand. In 1966, the citizens of Boundary County voted in favor of a hospital bond that underwrote the construction of a nursing home. In 1991 another bond, this time in the amount of $5 million, passed which completely renovated and expanded both the hospital and nursing home as well as paid for the construction of the outpatient clinic.

Today, Boundary Community Hospital is a 20-bed acute care facility and a 28-bed Extended Care Facility that employs 190 people. But its services extend far beyond providing in-patient care. Some of the services provided include a complete rehabilitation department that staffs seven therapists; a cardiopulmonary department treating issues with heart and lungs; an outpatient clinic where people can be seen for issues such as women’s health and cardiology; a complete laboratory for blood and urine testing; acute care for those who require admission into the hospital; emergency room care for accidents and medical emergencies; and a radiology department for CAT scans, mammography, ultrasound, x-rays and MRIs. In addition, there is Life Flight Network and Northwest MedStar helicopter transport available in the event a patient needs to be transferred to a different health care facility.

Morman stated that their Extended Care Facility, which provides services to those needing long-term care and close monitoring, is exceptional and has been awarded a five star rating. “It is the top award given by the Idaho Health Care Association. We are one of 10 facilities in the state of Idaho receiving the 2015 award,” said Morman, adding that the Jean Schoonover award will be presented to them at the 2015 Idaho Health Care Association Awards Luncheon on Thursday, July 23.

“We have experienced, caring and highly credentialed medical staff,” said Morman. “Our digital connection to larger health care facilities helps to ensure that the receiving hospital receives the incoming patient’s medical information even before they arrive. This ensures faster and sometimes life-saving treatment.”

With a desire to give back to their community, Boundary Community Hospital and some of the area physicians perform sports physicals for school athletes each year free of charge. The physicals are mandated for any student entering grades 7, 9 or 11 or who are participating in the school’s sport program for the first time. This year’s physicals will take place on Tuesday, July 28 from 5 to 7pm in the Outpatient Clinic.

If you missed out on this year’s golf tournament and would like to be involved in helping raise funds for our local hospital, plan to attend the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, The Festival of Trees, this December where Morman said they are hoping to raise up to $40,000.

Next year’s golf tournament will take place on June 10, but donations are welcome all year round. Making a donation is an investment in the future of healthcare in Boundary County. For more information on the foundation, please call 208.267.6912.

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