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Our Growth
PHASE I
After careful deliberation, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and the City of Plummer innovatively collaborated
in a joint venture to address the health care needs on the Reservation. A community-based rural
health outpatient care delivery system was planned and developed in 1987. A commitment was made to
provide health care services to both the Indian and Non-Indian population. This collaboration between the
Tribe and the City of Plummer is believed to be the first joint venture in the United States between a
tribe and city municipality for the purpose of providing health care for all residents. The Tribe and
the City collectively secured State and Federal funding, which led to the construction of a 6,750 square
foot building that opened on June 4, 1990. This became known as Phase I in the development of the
Benewah Medical Center complex, establishing primary medical care to the local community.
PHASE II
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe and City of Plummer, Idaho had the vision to establish a highly successful
basic primary medical and dental health care system and address the acute health care needs of the
community. Because of the strong demand for services, a Phase II plan was developed and the facility was
expanded from 6,750 square feet of space to nearly 17,000 square feet in February, 1994. This expansion
provided additional medical exam rooms, a five chair dental wing, increased space for pharmacy services,
counseling, community health programs, administrative offices, and conference rooms.
A significant achievement in these processes was BMC's ability to obtain a Medically Underserved
Population (MUP) designation from the Idaho Governors office and acceptance from the U.S. Public Health
Service, Division of Shortage Designation. This designation has allowed the BMC to provide services on
a sliding fee basis, consistently to about 500 users and growing. The BMC service area includes the entire
Coeur d' Alene Indian Reservation, central and western Benewah County , and rural portions of Kootenai,
Latah, Whitman, and Spokane Counties.
PHASE III
With the health care industry moving toward a prevention and wellness focus during the past few years, the
Tribe advocated for a multi-purpose Wellness Center. Planning and fundraising efforts began in late 1994 to
construct a 43,000 square foot, $5 million dollar Wellness Center. The Tribe successfully reached its goal to
open a center which would expand its focus from acute and chronic illness care to include one of prevention,
wellness, and health maintenance.
This Wellness Center was built debt-free from a variety of funding sources including Federal, State, private
and BMC equity. Tribal gaming revenue was not used in this project. On July 18, 1998, the three and one-half
year dream in planning that took ten months to: build, became a reality .Programs and services include a five-lane
100,000 gallon lap pool, therapy pool, hot tub, kiddy pool, physical and cardiac therapy. A full-size basketball
and racquetball court, indoor walking track, aerobics room, community health services and health education, day care,
and conference rooms complete the Wellness Center. Alternative therapies are planned to be introduced at a future date.
This project has significant potential in terms of overall community health and wellness with the connections to an
acute care facility. These are remarkable achievements in light of the fact that none of the current and future
services were in this community prior to June, 1990.
The Wellness Center's highly trained professional fitness staff provide up-to-date wellness information, complete
fitness assessments and individualized exercise programs. Innovative pool programs include a wide variety of classes
that draw from swimming, aerobics, dance and circuit training to provide a stimulating workout. Different teaching
styles range from high intensity to a softer, gentler offering for the beginner or injured individual.
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