Hospital Corner: Foundation giving is always in season

Christmas came early at Logan Health’s walk-in clinic at Whitefish Mountain Resort. The new digital mobile x-ray system arrived just in time for ski season. This state-of-the-art machine was made possible through a philanthropic gift to the Logan Health – Whitefish Foundation.

“It’s a game changer,” said Doug Wehrli, Imaging Director at Logan Health – Whitefish. “There’s a 50-percent decrease in radiation per exposure and significantly better image quality. With higher resolution images, our clinic staff can provide a more accurate diagnosis.”

This means skiers and snowboarders will get an answer and a care plan while still in their snow gear.

In prior winters, the clinic’s mobile x-ray took images that had to be downloaded on a computer and sent to be analyzed by a technician at the hospital. It was a slow process and the diagnosis was not always clear.

Now patients can receive conclusive results on the spot and avoid a second round of x-rays. Less squeamish patients can view their image on a screen bedside, while technologists use a touch screen to zoom in on an image, and analyze the injured area. Not only will the patient spend less time in the clinic, but their provider also receives better quality images making their follow-up a better experience.

In addition to the x-ray, philanthropic gifts from generous community members helped impact several other departments in 2022, providing over $500,000 of improvements to Logan Health:

-The Birth Center at Logan Health - Whitefish – Two Labor and Delivery rooms were remodeled to align with the rooms added during the 2016 addition.

-Laboratory at Logan Health - Whitefish – Replaced the chemistry analyzer and received a second analyzer for additional tests that can also be used as a backup during maintenance for the chemistry analyzer.

-Logan Health Primary Care – Columbia Falls – Talbot – Received a new refrigerator for vaccine storage.

-Respiratory Therapy at Logan Health - Whitefish – Will get a next-generation EKG machine to use for emergency patients and a new pulmonary function testing system for patients with breathing issues such as asthma and COPD.

-Logan Health Walk-in Care – West Glacier – The “summer” clinic in West Glacier received new flooring.

“Our key initiatives in 2022 bring the finest in medical excellence to the north end of the Flathead Valley,” said Kalen Young, Executive Director of Logan Health – Whitefish Foundation. “We thank each and every one of our donors for their generous contributions. Every gift given to Logan Health makes a direct impact on the delivery of health care in our communities.”

Philanthropy helps enhance the level of care for our patients and advance services within our communities. Through the generous support of donors, Logan Health continues to bring healthcare to new heights for our communities with “gifts” that make a difference.