PROGRESS: Bonner General Health expands services, invests in care

Serving Sandpoint and the surrounding region since 1949, Bonner General Health continues to adapt and evolve to meet community needs. In 2025, BGH made meaningful progress expanding services, strengthening access to care, and building a healthier future for the region.

By the Numbers: In 2025, BGH admitted 959 patients, served 81,555 clinic patients, performed 213,404 laboratory services, captured 55,072 diagnostic images, completed 2,677 surgeries, and managed 20,438 Emergency and Immediate Care visits. BGH supports care delivery through 466 staff members, more than 70 medical providers, 13 outpatient clinics, and 50 departments.

Utilization: Service growth reflects increasing community healthcare needs. Emergency Department visits rose by 7%, surgeries increased by 6%, and behavioral health visits climbed 20%. Inpatient care also expanded, with acute patient days up to 15%. Imaging, rehabilitation, pharmacy, and laboratory services experienced steady gains, reinforcing BGH’s role as a comprehensive healthcare provider for the region.

Key Investments: BGH invested in workforce development, facility improvements, and service expansion. New providers joined inpatient services, family practice, urgent care, and anesthesia. Enhancements included cash‑pay MRI and CT options, robotic‑assisted orthopedic technology, provider‑based clinic billing, and the completion of the ICU remodel and relocation.

Accreditation: BGH successfully completed its DNV reaccreditation survey, affirming compliance with CMS patient safety standards and a continued commitment to quality and safety.

Foundation & Community Impact: The Bonner General Health Foundation hosted two major fundraisers in 2025. The Heart Ball raised $234,000 for the Swing Bed Program, while the Family 5K & 1K Fun Run supported the Hometown Health Grants Initiative, awarding over $30,000 to department programs. The next Fun Run is scheduled for June 13, 2026.

Community Health Needs Assessment: In 2025, BGH conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to better understand the health status and needs of Bonner County. Guided by BGH leadership and the Board of Directors, the CHNA identified four priority health needs: Women’s Health, Mental Health, Obesity and Healthy Lifestyles, and Access to Care. These findings will inform a three‑year implementation plan focused on improving health outcomes, expanding access, and addressing disparities across the county. The Implementation Plan will be published in May 2026.

Spreading Holiday Cheer: Thanks to the generosity of our BGH family, a Holiday Meal Giving Campaign was launched through our internal Helping Hands Program to support team members facing hardship or financial challenges. Employees were able to anonymously give or receive a complete holiday meal for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, allowing them to focus on time together rather than financial strain. Through this effort, 65 BGH employees and their families received meals, feeding nearly 300 individuals. The campaign was a heartfelt reminder of the power of caring for one another, and we look forward to carrying this tradition forward.

“Bonner General Health will continue moving forward with purpose as we respond to growing demand while investing in the services, technology, and staff that support our community,” said John Hennessy, Bonner General Health chief executive officer.

    Bonner General Health recently celebrated the hospital's sterile processing team as the February 2026 Employees of the Month.
  

    Bonner General Health's patient registration team is always greeting patients with courtesy and kindness.

Kristin Carlson is the marketing manager for Bonner General Health.