The Benewah Medical Center of Plummer, Idaho, was the nation's first tribal clinic to open its doors to non-Indians. In June 1990, patients began receiving care at the Benewah Medical Center. For the first time in the Tribe's history, high quality healthcare was available on the reservation. Since that time Benewah Medical Center has been recognized nationally, as well as locally, for its outstanding patient care.
To meet its healthcare responsibilities to the community, Benewah Medical Center has grown beyond its walls and into other buildings in a campus-like model. The clinic started with 6,750 square feet and with remodels and additions to the clinic builidng is now 21,000 square feet. The Community Health/DM programs are housed in their own builidng; the billing office and finance office, which includes a Health Board meeting room, are located in two other buildings. Benewah Medical Center now occupies 32,000 square feet in 5 buildings.
A 43,000 square feet Wellness Center opened in 1998 as an investment in prevention. The success of that program is evident in watching children at play there! With the addition of the Wellness Center, the Benewah Medical Center officially became the Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center.
This year, 2010, Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center will celebrate its past--20 years of providing healthcare for the residents of the community. Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center has experienced not only the physical growth just highlighted, but also service growth. Benewah Medical Center opened its doors with 800 registered patients. Today, over 17,500 patients have sought care at the facilities. One physician staffed the clinic in 1990 but within a year another physician was needed. Today, there are 4 physicians, 3 mid-level providers, 3 dentists, and 5 mental health counselors (3 also certified in chemical dependency). Benewah Medical Center has an in-house pharmacy that fills 300 prescriptions per day and also provides on-site laboratory and x-ray services for patients.
In 2009 6,500 patients were served; 36,550 patient visits. There are 106 benefited employees at Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center, and a managed budget of $15,000,000.
Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center promises to strive to be wise with with its resources so as to meet the communities' future healthcare needs.
To meet its healthcare responsibilities to the community, Benewah Medical Center has grown beyond its walls and into other buildings in a campus-like model. The clinic started with 6,750 square feet and with remodels and additions to the clinic builidng is now 21,000 square feet. The Community Health/DM programs are housed in their own builidng; the billing office and finance office, which includes a Health Board meeting room, are located in two other buildings. Benewah Medical Center now occupies 32,000 square feet in 5 buildings.
A 43,000 square feet Wellness Center opened in 1998 as an investment in prevention. The success of that program is evident in watching children at play there! With the addition of the Wellness Center, the Benewah Medical Center officially became the Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center.
This year, 2010, Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center will celebrate its past--20 years of providing healthcare for the residents of the community. Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center has experienced not only the physical growth just highlighted, but also service growth. Benewah Medical Center opened its doors with 800 registered patients. Today, over 17,500 patients have sought care at the facilities. One physician staffed the clinic in 1990 but within a year another physician was needed. Today, there are 4 physicians, 3 mid-level providers, 3 dentists, and 5 mental health counselors (3 also certified in chemical dependency). Benewah Medical Center has an in-house pharmacy that fills 300 prescriptions per day and also provides on-site laboratory and x-ray services for patients.
In 2009 6,500 patients were served; 36,550 patient visits. There are 106 benefited employees at Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center, and a managed budget of $15,000,000.
Benewah Medical Center/Wellness Center promises to strive to be wise with with its resources so as to meet the communities' future healthcare needs.