RiverStone Health Foundation on Wednesday kicked off an $11 million capital campaign to build a new, 25,000-square-foot primary care clinic.

The new clinic, which will have 48 exam rooms, will be built just south of the existing RiverStone Health Clinic on South 27th Street. RiverStone Health also has satellite locations in Worden, Bridger and Joliet.

RiverStone Health Clinic
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The campaign kicked off with the announcement today of a $1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), according to a news release.

John Felton, president and CEO of RiverStone Health, said the grant is a major boon to the capital campaign.

The grant is a major boon to  the capital campaign, said John Felton, the President & CEO of RiverStone Health.

“The existing clinic is stretched to its limits,” Felton said. “A new clinic will allow our organization to remain the leader in providing high-quality primary and preventive care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The $1 million grant from HRSA, adds to $5 million in accumulated savings and early pledges that RiverStone Health, Yellowstone County's public health agency, will put toward the project.

A new clinic is vital to providing care to our patients who often struggle with multiple chronic health issues,” said Dr. Megan Littlefield, RiverStone Health Clinic's medical director.  “We need more exam rooms, but we also need more space for patients to meet with experts in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, and behavioral health issues.”

RiverStone Health Clinic is a life-line to those who often have no other place to turn for primary and preventive care, said Kristie Asay, the Foundation's director.  “Without access, many people delay seeking medical care until they require more costly emergency room care which often leads to hospitalization. An investment in the capital campaign not only benefits patients but also taxpayers by reducing overall healthcare costs because patients will have greater access to preventive healthcare.”

The capital campaign is chaired by Rob HunterRiverStone Health Foundation, the fundraising partner of RiverStone Health, expects to raise an additional $5 million in private donations.

The grant from HRSA comes through the agency's Health Infrastructure Investment Program. HRSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency for improving access to healthcare for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

 

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