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History
A Brief History of Northern Rockies Medical Center
By Rev. Gerald E. Ebelt
The history of Northern Rockies Medical Center rests on the twin pillars of devotion and necessity. Devotion on the part of doctors and nurses who unselfishly worked long hours in the care of their patients and necessity making do with equipment and facilities which might be considered primitive by today’s standards.
In the early 1900’s Dr. P.O. Neraal, one of Cut Bank’s first physicians, had Myrtle McAfee, a homesteader, attend his patients in their homes—devotion and necessity. When the town grew and more people needed medical attention, it was obvious that a hospital was necessary. Dr. Neraal proposed that he lend Mrs. McAfee the money to purchase a building that could be used for a hospital. Later, by the 1930’s, more space was still required. A succession of buildings were purchased with space for surgery, maternity wards and patient rooms all privately operated until finally the Glacier County Commissioners built Cut Bank’s first hospital in 1948-49. The hospital was constructed using Hill-Burton Funds and named Glacier Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.
By the 1970’s the building was outdated and unable to provide adequate medical care to patients. A new hospital building was erected in 1975-76 under the direction of the Glacier County Commissioners and Glacier Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home Board of Directors. From time to time hospital management companies such as Brim Associates, Lutheran Home and Quorum Health Resources were hired as consultants to manage the hospital. In the 1990’s the hospital floundered for various reasons and by 1999 the Glacier County Commissioners determined they could no longer operate the hospital. A group of interested individuals started working with the Commissioners to explore the possibility of the hospital being turned over to a private entity. Quorum assisted with the takeover by doing a feasibility study in 2000 to determine what to expect as far as the facility was concerned over the next 10 years.
The “Transition Board”, as it came to be called, determined that $1,500,000 would be needed to make the takeover possible and the community set out to raise the funds. Unfortunately, only $600,000 was raised before the Commissioners decided they could no longer operate Glacier Community Medical Center. In October 2001 a lease agreement was signed with the county and NRMC took over operations. A permanent Board of Trustees was elected on May 14, 2002.
Since its inception NRMC has struggled to survive and fulfill its mission to “Provide high quality healthcare that meets the needs of our communities in a safe and caring environment.” The residents of Glacier County, NRMC employees, and businesses have supported this mission by contributing generously of their time and means. Because of their dedication NRMC has survived and continues to provide excellent medical care.
The twin pillars of devotion and necessity still under gird the organization. Devotion on the part of committed people who are convinced that Cut Bank needs a hospital and the necessity of providing adequate medical care in a rural setting. You are invited to become part of NRMC’s history by using it for your medical needs and by your contributions. Together we can ensure that adequate medical care is available for all residents of Glacier County and surrounding area.
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