News

Contact: Lauren Brendel, M.S.

BOZEMAN, MT [July 27, 2020]—Bozeman Health and Montana State University are two of our region’s most important and fastest-growing institutions. Their long history of working together has contributed to the vitality of our communities and advanced the health and well-being of those we serve.

For more than 110 years, Bozeman Health has provided high quality, compassionate care to the communities of southwest Montana. Similarly, as Montana’s land-grant university, Montana State has integrated education, the creation of knowledge and art, and service to communities for nearly 130 years. Together, Bozeman Health and Montana State University employ more than 6,000 individuals.

Bozeman Health and Montana State University have long been community collaborators, particularly through the WWAMI Regional Medical Education Program and MSU’s School of Nursing. More recently, we’re proud of the work we’ve done together to address the COVID-19 pandemic: MSU has loaned personnel and equipment in support of testing and provided essential PPE to Bozeman Health. We’ve collaborated on research related to COVID-19 testing, and deployed WWAMI and nursing students through our existing relationship to support at Bozeman Health care sites. We’re proud and grateful for this coordinated approach in our COVID-19 response to help meet our community’s healthcare needs.

One year ago, in August of 2019, Bozeman Health became the official healthcare provider for Bobcat student-athletes. Board certified family medicine providers Dr. Karl Reisig and Dr. Jeff Rasch, along with Crystal Skovly, PA-C, provide full spectrum primary care sports medicine to Bobcat student-athletes. They care for all athletic-related issues such as preparation exams (sports physicals), concussion evaluation and treatment, and non-operative management of orthopedic injuries, as well as non-athletic related primary care such as mental health management (ADHD, anxiety, depression), eating disorders, and other health and well-being concerns. The model and quality of care that Dr. Reisig, Dr. Rasch, Crystal, and their team provide for Bobcat student athletes rivals the athletic care given at power five schools such as Alabama, UCLA, Clemson, and others. We express gratitude to them for their dedication in helping Bobcat student-athletes reach excellence in their studies and their sports.

And as we look to the future, Bozeman Health, Montana State University, and Bobcat Athletics are pleased to announce a new and exciting dimension to our collaboration in support of our broader community. Bozeman Health is building and will open a 5,500 square foot clinic location within the new athletic training complex for use by student athletes, MSU faculty and staff, and their family members and dependents. We believe there is an incredible synergy that will be realized through having a clinic connected to their campus that allows Bozeman Health to provide care to MSU faculty and staff.

Additionally, Bozeman Health is pleased and proud to announce that it has pledged to provide the final $2 million in charitable support that Montana State University needed to reach its $18 million fundraising goal for the athletic training center. Bozeman Health will provide this capstone gift over a period of seven years and Bozeman Health is grateful to MSU and their alumni foundation for allowing that flexibility.

This gift from Bozeman Health was essential to making the dream of a new athletic complex become a reality, and it will be recognized through the naming of the new academic excellence center, to be located in a renovated Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Bozeman Health, MSU, and Bobcat Athletics share a strong belief that academic excellence, physical well-being, and mental health bring about a stronger and healthier community.

We have looked to other outstanding examples of university and health system partnerships throughout the country—identifying Kansas (University of Kansas and University of Kansas Health System and LMH Health), Colorado (University of Northern Colorado Athletics and Banner Health), and Virginia (James Madison University and University of Virginia Health System)—as examples, and we’re excited to follow the lead of thriving communities where strong health systems and universities are partnering in innovative ways.

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About Bozeman Health
Bozeman Health is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving an eight-county region in Southwest Montana. As a nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer community board of directors, we are the largest private employer in Gallatin County, with more than 2,300 employees, including 250 medical providers representing 40 clinical specialties. It is our privilege to deliver expert, compassionate health and wellness services across the care continuum, designed to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the communities we serve. Learn more about Bozeman Health at BozemanHealth.org.

About Montana State University

As Montana’s land-grant university, Montana State University seeks to integrate education, the creation of knowledge and community service to transform lives and communities in the people's interest. MSU empowers students to work alongside world-class mentors as they prepare for success in their careers and further education. The university is recognized for its research excellence and is among the top 3% of colleges and universities in the nation for research expenditures, which exceed $100 million annually. Students, faculty and staff work closely with communities to exchange and apply knowledge and resources that improve the world.

About Montana State University Bobcat Athletics

Montana State Athletics is distinguished by the academic success, personal development and life-long achievements of our student-athletes. Bobcat Athletics has completed 120 years of competition intertwined with the University’s tradition of excellence. The Athletics Department purposely contributes to Montana State University’s land grant mission through excellence in the classroom, competition and a holistic approach to student-athlete well-being. Our commitment to integrity, inclusion, respect and service fosters a lasting connection between the MSU community, state of Montana and Rocky Mountain Region. Learn more about the Montana State Bobcat Athletic Department at MSUBobcats.com