Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s new Polson Health clinic opened Feb. 9 and began immediately addressing an overdue need for some medical services in Polson.

The 13,000-square-foot facility will provide Lake County residents with basic physician services as well as several specialist outreach clinics.

Dr. Dan Rausch, a family practice physician, is the lead physician for Polson Health.

“It opens up the opportunity for services to expand to the local area,” he said. “We’ll be able to absorb referrals back to us. A lot of people don’t have a primary provider and we can provide that.”

Rausch has been with Polson Health since 2005 and now works in the expanded clinic along with nurse practitioner Alex Flerchinger and chiropractor Tom Konen. Another physician, Dr. Mark Duff, will join the clinic in the fall and the clinic is searching for another mid-level practitioner to bring the number of full-time practitioners up to five. There are three nurses and a medical assistant at Polson Health.

Robyn Lane, the clinic’s practice manager, said the new building was necessary, but still enjoyable.

“It’s beautiful, we love it,” she said. “We grew a little fast in the past. There were some growing pains.”

The facility at 106 Ridgewater Drive in Polson across from Walmart has 10 times the space of the previous clinic. 

Outreach services will include weekly cardiology appointments, urology, nephrology, a plastic surgeon, orthopedics and pain management. The new facility allows for X-rays, stress testing and nuclear medicine as well. 

“There was a definite need from a primary care standpoint,” Rausch said. “But this gives residents more access to specialist care. We also work with local, independent providers.”

Kalispell Regional Healthcare began to move forward on the new building with the help of local health-care providers, but after the priorities didn’t match, Kalispell moved alone. 

The Montana Center for Wellness & Pain Management of Kalispell will collaborate for pain management services at the clinic.

To make an appointment at Polson health, all 883-3200.

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