In 2017 Bozeman Health hired its first psychiatrist, Anne Thomas, MD, aimed at helping to expand and supplement behavioral health services within the community. Bozeman Health joined efforts with community initiatives and helped to lead the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition.

With the community’s support, Bozeman Health has since been steadily building programs and providing increased access to psychiatric services, including a multidisciplinary team of 50 professionals including several psychiatrists, crisis intervention specialists, peer support specialists, psychiatric patient care technicians, registered nurses, occupational therapists and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, for a stronger continuum of care.

Philanthropic individual gifts and grants have been integral to the launch and expansion of these services.

In 2020, gifts supported the outpatient psychiatric clinic and services, outpatient psychiatric services in Big Sky, and integrated behavioral health care services in the Women’s Specialists Clinic.

In 2021, gifts and grants helped support the construction of a new Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) area located adjacent to the emergency department at Deaconess Regional Medical Center. The funding contributed to the construction and design of the PES, as well as supported recruitment and retention of key members of the crisis care team.

In 2023, contributions supported Big Sky Psychiatric Services including 368 hrs/46 days of outpatient therapy; the Meadowlark Program, promoting support for healthy pregnancy, substance use and postpartum mental health in the Women’s Specialists Clinic; Rural Access Pharmacist Program for the advancement of evidence-based prescribing of medications, incorporating specialized expertise into treatment of geriatric patients minimizing medication-related risks in this vulnerable patient population; a Behavioral Health Navigator for inpatient pediatrics and NICU families; and support for a specialized behavioral health occupational therapist.

And, in 2024 and 2025, contributions are supporting offsetting construction, staffing and programming start-up costs for the region’s first and only adult inpatient psychiatric unit. Construction completion is targeted for fall 2025. The unit will consist of 14 adult inpatient beds along with activity and therapeutic spaces. An estimated 500 patients will be cared for annually. The Foundation is actively raising $1.5 million in support for this capital expansion and enhanced programming.