BILLINGS – Billings Clinic announced Tuesday two major expansion plans that officials say will strengthen Montana’s medical corridor by attracting top physicians and better serving patients.
One project will add space, services, and a new parking garage in Billings. The other is a complete outpatient care center in Bozeman, officials said.
“It’s a really good day for Billings Clinic, and even a better day for our patients both here and across the region,” said Billings Clinic CEO Dr. Randy Gibb at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
Gibb talked about the plans for a 97,000-square-foot destination ambulatory center to serve the needs of a growing population in Gallatin County and the renovations and expansion that will take place at the existing facility in Billings.
Between the projects in the two cities, Billings Clinic will spend more than $90 million.
Plans for Billings include:
- Adding two stories to the hospital tower above the emergency department to enhance inpatient capabilities.
- Relocating primary care and the internal medicine residency departments to join SameDay Care on the clinic’s first floor to allow for easier patient access and coordination of care and population health management.
- Relocating the otolaryngology, nephrology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, rheumatology, and infectious diseases specialty services to the clinic’s third floor.
- Expanding the outpatient surgery center to include one new operating room, a pain procedure room and new rooms to allow for 23-hour post-surgery patient stays.
- Relocating and expanding the endoscopy unit.
- Implementing significant upgrades to the cath lab with state-of-the art technology.
- Constructing a 430-vehicle employee parking structure to increase availability of patient parking.
- Remodeling and reimagining the hospital cafeteria.
- Upgrading infrastructure support.
Gibb says the plans have been in the works for about two years.
“Out of all the projects we are doing, if you are an employee the parking garage might be the most exciting,” Gibb joked. “If you are a patient, the biggest advantage is going to be retransforming the way we deliver care.”
Related: Billings Clinic plans to break ground for 97K-square-foot medical center on Bozeman’s west side
