By Michael Howell
The Family Medicine Center of the Bitterroot opened up for business in its new digs in the middle of last month. The doctors at the center, Teresa Borino, Brett Heath, and Randy Stewart, have been working together for over a decade, first inside Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, then in cramped quarters across from the hospital, but now, as of mid-July, the team is working out of brand new quarters that they designed themselves to fit their own family medicine practice. And this, too, is located just across the street from the hospital on 10th Street in Hamilton. The new building also includes a condominium suite owned by Chad Dickmore, DPM, of the Bitterroot Foot and Ankle Clinic.
Dr. Heath said that a lot of thought and time, about two years’ worth, was put into the design of the new building. The spacious lobby has plenty of room and comfortable furniture including a large screen TV.
There won’t be any jostling in the hallways, even for patients in wheelchairs, as they are very wide. The three doctors in the family medicine practice each have their own office with a nurse’s station and three visiting rooms. Everything is built to enhance privacy for the doctors, nurses and patients. A state of the art laboratory is situated adjacent to the restroom so that specimens may be passed through a small hatch directly into the lab from the restroom.
Dr. Borino said the move was a little disorienting, but now that she’s adjusted she loves the new space.
“It’s big,” she said, “and the patients realty seem to enjoy it.”
The building contains lots of room for storage in the basement, a kids entertainment area is being developed in the lobby, there is a centralized equipment storage area complete with a medical refrigerator, a manager’s office, and a minor surgery suite. The office keeps electronic records with up to date computer systems and software.
Dr. Heath said that the family medicine practice treats people from the cradle to the grave.
Dr. Heath is obviously proud of his new office complex built with timber frames and happy that it sets on property so close to the hospital. The landscaping w ill be xeriscape-style with no grass and only drip fed trees and shrubs. Parking for their clients was increased by the move from 9 to 27 spaces. He is also proud of the fact that the construction was done by local contractors and all the art on the walls was done by Montana artists.
The new clinic is located at 1201 Westwood Drive and may be reached by calling 363-3627.