PHC Increasing Services at Seeley-Swan Medical Center

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan Medical Center (SSMC) gains a new dentist in July. At their April meeting, the Seeley-Swan Hospital District Board also approved the installation of two new sinks that will open another exam room for patients and allow for a half time phlebotomist.

Dentist Dr. Peggy Walker (formerly Lowney) gave her notice in March of her impending move from Seeley Lake at the end of April. Partnership Health Center (PHC) hired Dentist Alyssa Harris as her replacement. Harris previously applied for the position.

“We could have waited a year or two years to find someone so we are very fortunate,” said Mary Jane Nealon, Director of Innovation with PHC.

Harris has been practicing at the Bullhook Dental Community Health Center in Havre, Mont. Nealon estimated Harris will start at the SSMC in July.

Dr. Mark Messer, DMD from Missoula will be working one day per week in the interim. Since he is used to working on multiple chairs, they will schedule him for two days’ worth of appointments. He will bring a hygienist with him.

Nealon asked the board to approve the installation of a sink in the room behind the receptionist. The sink would allow a phlebotomist to work at the SSMC. PHC contracts with Quest Diagnostics to do lab work. Nealon said PHC has asked if they would provide a phlebotomist at the SSMC. They agreed to part-time for now.

“The answer has always been no but this time we are [very] close,” said Nealon. “It’s potentially a really nice thing for this community.”

A phlebotomist is a medical professional who draws blood for various lab tests and procedures. While the blood would be drawn at the SSMC, the testing would be done at Quest’s laboratory off-site.

The board gave the approval for PHC to install the sink and the hospital district would cover the costs. The board requested more information on the details of sink, cost involved and installation requirements but did not want to slow down the process of getting a phlebotomist by waiting for the information at their next meeting.

The board also approved the installation of a sink in another exam room that is currently being used for phlebotomy. Now that Nurse Practitioner Lynne Rogers FNP-C is full-time, this will open up more space for patients.

The next meeting for the Hospital District will be May 8 at 5 p.m. in the SSMC conference room.

 

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