Tribe's Benewah Medical Center to celebrate 25th anniversary
PLUMMER - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Benewah Medical Center is rapidly approaching its 25th anniversary and is planning a party to celebrate.
"We've overcome many obstacles in the last 25 years, but year after year, we've grown to meet the needs of the community. Our continual expansion and growth over the years is a testament to the Tribe's steadfast commitment to the well-being of our community," said Gary Leva, CEO of Benewah Medical Center. "We invite everyone to come celebrate our history, our present and our future with us."
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is also proud to have provided healthcare to anyone who has needed it regardless of their ability to pay.
"We believe that access to healthcare is a basic human right and ever since day 1, we've always provided healthcare to everyone and anyone who needed it," said Chairman Chief Allan of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. "Today, we can look back and see that as we've labored to build a healthcare center, we've actually created a healthier future for our families, friends, neighbors and the entire region. What a great reason to celebrate."
Since the Benewah Medical Center first opened in 1990, it has continued to expand services beyond medical and dental services.
Today, services include medical, dental, pharmacy, lab, X-ray and counseling services, as well as community health and wellness services. The medical center management is also in the planning stages to expand services again with hopes of adding dialysis, optical services, alternative medicine such as chiropractic, acupuncture and therapeutic massage, other specialty services, outpatient medical and dental surgery and child care that are needed in the community but not currently offered in-house.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe first opened the Benewah Medical Center with 14 staff members, 800 patients and a $900,000 budget. Today, the Benewah Medical Center employs approximately 150 staff, and sees 35,000 primary care visits annually with an $18 million budget.
The Tribe's new medical center building opened in 2012. The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art medical facility is equipped with the latest technology to enhance the continued provision of healthcare services to native and non-native patients on a sliding fee scale. New patients are always welcome and no one is denied health care based on the ability to pay.
A day of celebration
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Benewah Medical Center 25th anniversary celebration is Friday, June 5. The schedule is as follows:
9-11 a.m.: Open house and tours of Benewah Medical Center
1-2 p.m.: Opening remarks from tribal leaders at the Tribal Wellness Center, located at 1100 A St., Plummer
2-5 p.m.: Powwow at the Tribal Wellness Center
5-6:30 p.m.: Community Dinner at the Tribal Wellness Center