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By: Stephanie Wasek

Published: 10/10/2007

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Central Montana Surgery Center, Great Falls, Mont.
Continuously Expanding to Meet the Needs of a Rural Community


Administrator: Tony Peterschick, RN, BSN
Types of surgeries: ENT, ophthalmology, general (including laparoscopic bypass for weight loss), orthopedic, podiatric, gynecological, oral, maxillofacial, neurological, pain control, dental and plastic.
Staff: 38, including one administrator, 18 RNs, eight LPNs, two OR techs, one X-ray tech, three office staff, one scheduler and four housekeeping.
Procedure rooms: 1
ORs: 3
Operating surgeons: 30
Monthly case volume: 175
Years in operation: 5
Ownership structure: Closely-held corporation.

No suburban sprawl
Central Montana Surgery Center is smack-dab in the middle of the state. At an hour-and-a-half drive, Helena, Montana's capital, is the nearest major city, but Great Falls is actually bigger, population-wise, than Helena. The center serves a large but sparsely populated region, which can lead to long drives for some patients.

"Forty percent of our patients are from surrounding counties; our vast area of population and fickle weather have occasionally resulted in unexpected surgery delays," says administrator Tony Peterschick, RN, BSN. "Often, our patients drive two hours one way to get to us. We accommodate patients with careful scheduling, and we've negotiated discount rates with area motels."

Under construction

  • Nine months ago, the center became the first surgery specialty hospital in the Central Montana region when it added an inpatient unit with 20 roll-down beds and built a three-story office.
  • Just three months ago, the center built Central Montana Imaging, at which the necessary MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds are performed before procedures.
  • Now, CMSC, is looking at another expansion (at least two additional medical office buildings and an additional 20 inpatient beds), which would make Ninth Street in Great Falls a veritable "one-stop shop" for medical services.

    "We have been either planning or under construction continuously since our opening," says Mr. Peterschick.

    Holistic experience
    Patients receive personalized care, thanks to an average nurse-to-patient ratio of 1-to-5 or better. Patient rooms are equipped with lighted mirrors, blow-dryers, towel warmers and individual showers.

    "We have beautiful art work, some of which we purchased and some from my partner's personal collection," says Mr. Peterschick. "It's part of the whole experience, to minimize discomfort. Patients at their worst need to be treated like the best."

    - Stephanie Wasek

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