Announcements   Events
Youth Activity Updates

Pharmacy gets new Management System

BMC/WC Receives the Johnson & Johnson "Crystal Award"

Diabetes Collaborative

  1/1/2007
New Fitness Challenge starting soon!


Starting 1/15/2007
Winter Swim Lessons


10/2007 - 8/2008
CPR/First Aid Class Schedule



   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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