Logan Health and Billings Clinic make integration official
TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 8 months AGO
A new sign for Logan Health marks the entrance to the hospital in Kalispell in this May 13, 2021, file photo. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
REPORTER AND PODCAST HOST Taylor Inman covers Bigfork and the north shore of Flathead Lake for the Bigfork Eagle and the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on local government, community issues and the people who shape life in Northwest Montana. Inman began her journalism career at Murray State University’s public radio newsroom and later reported for WKMS, where her work aired on National Public Radio. In addition to reporting, she hosts and contributes to Daily Inter Lake podcasts including News Now. Her work connects listeners and readers with the stories shaping communities across the Flathead Valley. IMPACT: Taylor’s work expands local journalism through both traditional reporting and digital storytelling. | September 4, 2023 12:00 AM
The integration of Logan Health and Billings Clinic was made official on Friday with Dr. Craig Lambrecht leading the new health care system as chief executive officer.
In an email sent to employees on Sept. 1, Lambrecht said the work of marrying the two organizations will take time. Starting this week, work groups from both organizations will begin mapping out integration strategies. There are separate workgroups for people, patients, integration, finance, information technology, compliance, philanthropy and education/research.
Former Billings Clinic CEO Dr. Clint Seger will be the chief physician executive of the new health care system, which remains without a formal name.
The integration of Logan Health and Billings Clinic was announced in February. As of May, the two health care organizations had sent necessary filings to the Federal Trade Commission.
Lambrecht said in the email that employees and medical staff will benefit from the scale of the organization, which will create more opportunities long-term through sharing best practices, advancing quality and safety and “supporting initiatives that neither organization could support on its own.”
Brad Schipper, chief operating officer for Logan Health, will serve in the same capacity with the new health care system. Ellen Layton, who served as chief legal officer for Billings Clinic, will take on the role of chief administrative officer. Cole Turner, chief financial officer of Logan Health, will continue on in that role with the integrated organization.
The Logan Health network includes the main campus in Kalispell and Logan Health Whitefish, as well as four other hospitals and more than 68 provider clinics. The organization, formerly known as Kalispell Regional Healthcare, employs more than 4,500 clinical and nonclinical workers across its properties.
Billings Clinic is Montana’s largest independent health system, according to the press release. The system is affiliated with 18 hospitals and clinics in Montana and Wyoming, with more than 4,700 employees.
Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing [email protected].
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