Hospital’s Planetree Festival Returns to Whitefish

In 2012 the first Planetree Festival was held to celebrate the Whitefish hospital’s 10-year affiliation with Planetree International. Typically held every two years, the festival was missed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year the hospital is excited to bring back the free community event on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. to celebrate 20 years of being a Planetree Hospital.

The heart of the Planetree philosophy is putting the patient at the center of care by engaging the patient and their family in the care plan, and creating a healing atmosphere. The Planetree model encourages caregivers to treat the whole person and make them feel as comfortable as possible using a variety of components that enhance the person’s care. The Planetree Festival embodies the model by creating an opportunity for attendees to receive free information and education and make connections with others in the community.

Past Planetree Festivals have introduced the community to hospital campus enhancements inspired by Planetree. In 2012 the hospital unveiled its “Fit Trail” a 1.5-mile system that spans the 40-acre grounds. The trail features 10 exercise stations appropriate for all ages and fitness levels and promotes healthier communities — one of the Planetree components. In 2018 the Planetree Festival introduced the community to the Planetree Healing Garden. Designed as a beautiful space for patients, their families, hospital staff and members of the community to visit, it also provides wholesome and healing food, yet another component of the Planetree model.

Attendees at this year’s festival are invited to explore the garden, fit trail and also experience some of the delicious, healthy food created by the hospital’s highly-regarded Valley Café. The festival is family-friendly with kid’s activities including a bouncy house, performances and Flathead cherry sundaes.

In the spirit of our Planetree culture, we will be able to meet some of Logan Health – Whitefish’s caring employees and representatives from Land to Hand MT, Shepard’s Hand Clinic, the Flathead County Agency on Aging and more. Learn about ergonomics from our Columbia Falls clinics and the therapeutic services at our behavioral health clinic. Meet the dog visitation teams that volunteer in our hospital, as well as learn about fire extinguishers and fire safety from the Whitefish Fire Department.

As if this free community event offering food, entertainment for the whole family, and a one-stop educational and informational expo were not enough, you may also walk away with prizes! We hope you will join us for the return of our hospital’s favorite event.

FREE COMMUNITY CLASS TONIGHT

This summer Logan Health – Whitefish in partnership with Land to Hand MT has offered free community classes in the Planetree Garden. The third and final class, “Farm to Table,” is tonight, Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. David Ray, Director of Nutritional Services at Logan Health – Whitefish, will offer insights on incorporating the garden’s bounty into meal planning. The garden is located just north of the hospital near the corner of Hospital Way and River Lakes Parkway.

Riley Polumbus writes and manages community relations for Logan Health – Whitefish at rpolumbus@logan.org.