The document narrates the history of healthcare in Bitterroot Valley, starting from the use of native plants by Salish Indians in pre-1800s to the establishment of local medical practices and hospitals over the years. It highlights significant milestones such as the first hospital opening in Hamilton in 1895 and the growth of medical facilities and practices culminating in modern advancements and community support for healthcare. The narrative emphasizes the evolution and dedication of healthcare providers in the region, underlining a sustained heritage of caring.

1. A HERITAGE OF CARING
A Brief History of Healthcare in the
Bitterroot Valley
by the Health Information Management Department

2. Pre 1800’s -- Salish Indians used
native plants like
arnica, nettles, chokecherries, an
d willow bark for tonics and
poultices.
1805 – With some medical
training, Lewis serves as the medic
for the Corp of Discovery. They
pass through the Bitterroot Valley
in Sept. 1805.
Arnica blossom
1841 – Father DeSmet builds St Mary’s mission. This is the 1st permanent white
settlement in what will someday be Montana.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

3. 1845 – Father Antony
Ravalli comes to the
valley. Though he comes
as a missionary, he has
studied medicine at the
University of Padua. He
uses medicines he has
brought and learns to
distill and improve native
plant remedies. He
bleeds his patients – still
a common practice in his
day. He treats Salish and
settlers alike and opens
the Valley’s first “drive up
pharmacy.”
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

4. 1862 -- Montana gold rush begins.
Dr. George Hammond amputates
both frozen legs of a man at Fort
Owen. The man lives.
1870 – The census of the Bitterroot
Valley is just over 300.
1871 --Dr. Buker comes to Missoula.
He also makes occasional trips down
the Bitterroot.
1873 – First recorded death from a
mysterious disease that will later
become known as Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

5. 1880 – Doctors have come and gone in the Bitterroot Valley. Many don’t stay
more than a year.
1882 – Dr. Joseph T.
Coughenour moves to
Corvallis. A Civil War
veteran, he practices in
the valley for 20 years
before retiring to his
ranch.
1886 – Copper
king, Marcus Daly buys a
home in the Bitterroot.
The Daly Mansion as it appears today.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

6. 1889 – Montana becomes a state.
Late 1890’s – As many as 9 doctors may have been practicing in the valley.
One is Karl H. Kellog son of W.H. Kellog of cereal fame. He practices in
Stevensville until the early 1900’s when he retires to raise strawberries. He
moves away in 1915.
1893 – Ravalli
becomes a county.
1895 – First hospital
opened in Hamilton.
The 2 doctors only
manage to keep it
open for about a
year.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

7. Dr. Hayward. His clinic
becomes the Physicians
Health Clinic.
Photo from “Bitterroot Trails”
1909 – Dr. Herbert Virgil Hayward arrives in Darby. After serving in WWI, he
returns to practice in Darby and Hamilton. He is involved in the development
of Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital and retires in 1951. Dr. Hayward’s
partner, Dr. Armon Meis, will practice until his death in 1968. Dr. Meis’s
partner, Dr. Glenn Mathias, will practice until 1970. Dr. Mathias’s partner will
be Dr. Ashcraft. This is the Physicians Health Clinic.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

8. Also 1909 – Dr. George Gordon comes to Hamilton and practices until 1936 when
he has a stroke. His son, Dr. Donald Gordon, joined the practice when he
graduated in 1932. After serving in WWII, he returns to continue what becomes
the Bitterroot Clinic.
Other Doctors in the history of
the BRC are: Dr. R.L.
Peterson, was a president of the
Montana Medical Association
and retired in 1980. Dr. Donald
W. McClean, comes in 1955 and
retires in 1986. Dr. Charles Petty
who joins the BRC in
1963, retires in 1996, but
continues to be a supporter of
quality healthcare in the
Bitterroot.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

9. 1910 – The population of the
Bitterroot is nearing 12,000.
1911 -- Dr. Lillian Miller starts a
hospital in part of a large
apartment building in
Hamilton. 12 rooms are for
patients and 3 rooms are the
nurse’s quarters. An operating
room is added.
1912-- Dr. Lillian Miller turns her hospital over to a Board of Directors. The
expenses have proven too much for 1 doctor. The hospital is later moved to
South 2nd Street in a building partially owned by Mrs. Daly. Room # 13 is
changed to Room # 31 because so many people are superstitious and don’t
want to stay there.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

10. 1918 – An Emergency Hospital in Hamilton is operated by the Red Cross
during the world-wide influenza epidemic. Statewide, 3,222 Montanans died
in just 6 weeks.
1930 – Marion Hayes graduates
from nursing school and begins her
nursing career at the Hamilton
Hospital. (See timeline entry for
1912).
She helps move patients to the new
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital (see
1931) and will still be caring for
patients when the present hospital
is built (see 1975). She retires in
1976.
From a Ravalli Republic newspaper clipping
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

11. 1931 – The 1st Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital building is completed.
1940’s – Several family members of physicians and their friends form the MDMH
Auxiliary. Besides volunteering at the hospital, they also raise funds for needed
equipment purchases.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

12. 1968 – Dr. Ashcraft comes to Hamilton. He has been practicing in the valley for over
44 years and counting.
1973 – Dr. Stephen S. Ellis begins practicing in the Bitterroot. He is currently retired
but continues to serve on the MDMH Board of Directors.
1975 – Current hospital
is built under the
leadership of
administrator Richard
Atkins. The new facility
includes a Pharmacy
and Gary Curran joins
the MDMH team. Dr.
Moreland joins Dr.
Ashcraft at the PHC.
Clockwise: Gary
Curran, Dr. Ashcraft, Dr.
Moreland, Dr. Ellis and
Dr. Stewart
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

13. Also 1975— Kathy Owings, RN begins her nursing
career at MDMH. Today she is head of the Surgery
Department.
1980 – Pediatrician, Dr. Ellyn Jones, opens her
practice in Stevensville. Today, she is “retired” but
continues to care for students at the Trapper Creek
Job Corps Center. Also, Dr. Randy Stewart comes to
the Bitterroot. He continues to practice at the Family
Medicine Center.
1984 – Dr. Jim Hansen starts as MDMH’s first ER
doctor. He is “on call” and drives in when needed.
Betsy Saylor, RN works in the ER also.
Kathy Owings, RN (top) and Dr. Hansen (below)
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

14. 1987 – The Hospital board reviews outpatient needs. At the time, in-
patient care was 85% of the hospital’s income. The hospital employed
about 80 people, had 9 doctors on staff and had a budget of $1.5 million.
Also in 1987, the Board of Directors is looking for an Administrator to take
the hospital into the next generation. They choose Mr. John Bartos.
Mr. Bartos
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

15. 1990 – Deb Nelson joins the MDMH housekeeping team. She and Sue Hull have
been here the longest. “Growth” is the biggest change they have seen.
A donation given in 1990 helps spark the creation of the Foundation, dedicated to
supporting the hospital financially in major expansions (like the new ER
completed in 2008).
1991 – MDMH Hospice is certified. The Hospice Center holds its Grand Opening in
2001.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

16. 2006—MDMH purchases the Ambulance Service.
2007 -- In-patient accounts for only 40% of the hospital’s income and outpatient
has grown to 60%. The hospital employs 435 people, has nearly 30 doctors on staff
and the budget has grown to $56 million. Striving for better patient care and more
employee satisfaction, MDMH launches a new effort-- Daly Excellence -- the
culture of excellence.
2008 – New Emergency Room facilities open with more than twice the space.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

17. 2009 – Doors open on the new Rehabilitation Center.
MDMH Home Care ranks #1 in Montana & National
rankings.
MDMH is also awarded state and regional Quality
Improvement awards.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

18. 2010 – Convenient Care and
Hamilton ObGyn get new, updated
office space. The Surgery Center
receives a fully equipped new
operating suite with new
technologies.
MDMH becomes a 100% tobacco free
campus.
2011 -- We go electronic medical
record! The Sleep Center opens and
the new Corvallis Family Medicine
building is completed. MDMH is
voted the Valley’s Best Employer.
The population of Ravalli County is
40,308.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

19. So far in 2012 – Lab moves to a modern, roomier area.
Construction and renovation begins on several important
projects.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department

20. In 1975, the hospital was about 50,000 sq. ft. Today it is nearly
250,000 sq. ft. But it is still about people caring for people. MDMH is
growing and so is our heritage of caring.
“A Heritage of Caring” by the Health Information Management Department