10 doctors join Montana Family Medicine Residency
Ten doctors recently joined the Montana Family Medicine Residency to begin three years of intensive training in family medicine and rural healthcare. The new doctors received their traditional white coats in a celebration Wednesday, June 26 at RiverStone Health, 123 S. 27th St. The event recognized the nine doctors joining the Class of 2027, and one doctor who recently joined the Class of 2026.
Medicaid unwinding leads to staff, budget cuts at RiverStone Health
Over the past several months, RiverStone Health has been taking steps to reduce its budget after losing more than $3 million in Medicaid revenue this fiscal year, ending June 30.
This week, RiverStone Health notified 29 employees that they will be part of a reduction in force effective mid-June. In total, RiverStone Health has cut almost 9% of its workforce across the organization, including employees already impacted by prior program closures. Several senior leadership positions and managerial roles were also consolidated or eliminated because of these challenges.
RiverStone Health refocusing on community-based Hospice services
As RiverStone Health works to sustain high-quality services for the community with an increasingly tight budget, the difficult decision has been made to cease operations at our inpatient Hospice Home. The Hospice Home has long operated at a financial loss that has grown larger in recent years. This decision allows RiverStone Health to continue and expand our community Hospice that serves patients in their own homes – regardless of their ability to pay.
Compare hospices before choosing your care
During National Home Care and Hospice Month in November, hospice providers across the country make extra efforts to inform our communities about the compassionate end-of-life care we provide. We also celebrate our generous volunteers and dedicated professional staff — the nurses, physicians, physician assistants, chaplains, social workers and hospice nursing assistants — who provide patients with comfort, dignity and respect.
It’s way past time to take this message to heart.
COVID-19 has become one of the top 10 causes of pediatric death in the U.S. Nationally, nearly 1,000 children have died of COVID-19 related illness. While COVID-19 pediatric deaths are rare, tragically, they do happen. Three Billings pediatrician write to encourage parents to protect their children with safe, effective vaccinations against severe COVID-19 illness.
It’s past time to take this message to heart: Get vaccinated.
Only about 51 percent of age-eligible Yellowstone County residents have been vaccinated. There seems to be a disconnect about the seriousness of the current uptick in cases across the county, state and country.
Masked or not, students deserve kindness
“Regardless of whether a student is wearing a mask or not, each deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. There must be no tolerance for bullying due to masking or not masking.”
There’s nothing but your sleeve between you and getting vaccinated
Thanks to The Billings Gazette editorial board for encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments at free, fast Yellowstone County community clinics are available at mtreadyclinic.org
Cowboy up, Montana — and mask up
Thank you to the Billings Gazette for the editorial on the work public health is doing to protect our communities. Please remember the 3 W’s – Wash Your Hands, Watch Your Distance, and Wear a Mask/Face Covering.
Rumors Fly about COVID-19
The risk of becoming infected with the new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 is dependent on exposure, and right now, that risk in Montana is low. But the virus has produced a disturbing amount of misinformation, rumors and gossip spread as fact.
