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A big boost

| July 30, 2014 9:00 PM

Mountain West Bank has gifted $100,000 to the Kootenai Health Foundation in support of the new facility expansion at Kootenai Health.

"We recognize the importance of having a strong local health care provider in our community that will be able to serve the growing health care needs for the future," said Russ Porter, Mountain West Bank CEO and Kootenai Health Foundation board member.

Approved by the Mountain West Bank Board of Directors, the five-year pledged gift is the single largest contribution the company has made in its history.

Porter said he hopes this gift will become a catalyst for further philanthropic gifts from businesses, leaders and members of the community who recognize the importance of this vital project for the future of health and healing in the community.

"We are thankful for the visionary leadership of the Mountain West Bank Board of Directors and the continued commitment to community they have shown," said Shawn Bassham, Kootenai Health Foundation president.

Set to open in 2016, the three-story, 100,000 square-foot expansion will adjoin the existing hospital. Its first two floors will include a family birthing center, neonatal intensive care unit, private patient rooms, a new hospital entrance and registration area and expanded visitor waiting areas. The third floor will remain unfinished to allow future growth and increased patient volumes.

Kootenai Health CEO Jon Ness said the largest recent expansion of the hospital took place more than 30 years ago.

"This is a long-overdue expansion and improvement of the hospital for our community," Ness said. "The reason we all work in health care is we are here to serve. Ultimately, it is not just about the bricks and mortar and the new technology. It's about providing the best service possible, for every patient, one day at a time."