Libby’s new hospital has a new name: Cabinet Peaks Medical Center.

After a month of accepting suggestions, the Board of Trustees at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby picked Cabinet Peaks for the hospital that will serve south Lincoln County.

The new, 79,000-square-foot facility will distance itself from the confusing name (the hospital has no religious affiliation) and try to reflect the scenery of the area.

Trustees considered 170 proposed names and brought 55 to their meeting. Ultimately, Cabinet Peaks was thought to be a fresh start for the community and one that represented the local landscape.

Libby native Carrie Schikora suggested the winning name, and was thrilled with the board’s decision.

“I wanted a name for the hospital to reflect the beauty of our area,” Schikora said. “When I came up with it, my goal was to connect the hospital with our local environment. I am a lifelong resident of Libby and it feels great to be such a part of a new era for our local hospital.”

The previous name was bestowed by the hospital board after the J. Neils Lumber Co. and St. John’s Lutheran Church helped raise money for the hospital in 1952.

Kate Stephens, marketing manager at the hospital, said the religious name in a nonreligious institution was misleading for patients and doctors.

“There has been a little bit of confusion in the past,” she said. “Some confusion when we try to bring in physicians. So we decided to start from scratch.”

The new facility will house 25 private rooms with views of the mountains. Ground was broken on the project last October and the hospital had been expected to open in spring 2014.

Bruce Whitfield, hospital CEO, said nice weather and quick workers could lead to an earlier opening.

“We’re actually about five months ahead of schedule,” he said. “It’s about 53 percent complete. I can only say that because we had a board meeting the other day.”

Stephens said Cabinet Peaks Medical Center could be up and running by Christmas this year.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.