Flathead County District Judge Heidi Ulbricht is being treated in the intensive care unit of Kalispell Regional Medical Center after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.

A statement issued Monday by Ulbricht’s family indicated she also has inflammation in her lungs, and that she is being treated with a combination of medications and other “aggressive therapies” to force the disease into remission and reduce the inflammation.

“She is presently sedated on a ventilator and is resting peacefully,” the statement read. “The long-term prognosis for this disease is good and Heidi is looking forward to returning to her job. Her family sincerely appreciates the kind thoughts and wishes for her successful recovery her friends have extended to them.”

The statement did not indicate what specific disease with which Ulbricht was diagnosed.

Ulbricht served as Kalispell’s municipal judge for 18 years prior to being elected last November to replace retiring District Judge Stewart Stadler. She earned her law degree from the University of Idaho School of Law in 1988 after earning her bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Washington in 1985.

She is a member of the Court Appointed Special Advocates Advisory Council, Kalispell Noon Rotary and Philanthropic Education Association.

Ulbricht has two children with her husband, Brad.