News

Contact: Brianne Rogers

BOZEMAN, MT [June 17, 2022] — Bozeman Health, and our Spine + Joint Institute partners from
Bridger Orthopedic and Alpine Orthopedics, are very proud to share that our dedication to providing
safe, quality orthopedic services to Southwest Montana is demonstrated by our achievement of
becoming the first and only Spine + Joint program in the state of Montana to receive DNV Orthopedic
Center of Excellence designation.

This achievement is only awarded to healthcare entities that have demonstrated an ability to continually
monitor quality of services to enhance patient safety and experience during specific orthopedic
surgeries. Since becoming the first health system in Montana to seek and achieve overall hospital
accreditation through DNV in 2016, Bozeman Health has continued on this system-wide journey towards
cultural transformation that persistently reinforces high quality performance and continual
improvement in a patient-centric care model to include also being first in the state to achieve specialty
certification in Infection Prevention and designated as a Certified Primary Stroke Center. We are
honored to have our partners from Bridger Orthopedic and Alpine Orthopedics joining with us to engage
and empower our staff to continuously improve our patient care, our processes, and the work
environment.

To achieve designation as an Orthopedic Center of Excellence, a hospital must obtain certification in at
least three of their orthopedic service line programs. The requirements for these programs are based
on industry standards and best practices. Each program certification requires a rigorous onsite survey by
DNV. Bozeman Health has achieved DNV certification of their Hip and Knee Replacement Program,
their Spine Surgery Program, and their Shoulder Surgery Program.

This Orthopedic Center of Excellence designation speaks to the collaborative, multi-disciplinary Spine +
Joint Institute team approach that defines clinical pathways and best practices to reduce recovery
time, improve patient outcomes, and enhance their experience while providing expert, quality care. Our
nurse navigator works with spine or robotic-assisted spine and joint surgery patients from their first
phone call to their last physical therapy appointment after surgery. Individuals seeking additional
information for their spine and joint care can contact our nurse navigator at 406-579-2799, weekdays
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“I’m grateful for the collaborative partnership between Bozeman Health, and Bridger Orthopedic and
Alpine Orthopedics,” shared John Hill, Bozeman Health president and CEO. “I know that our collective
shared goal of improving the quality of inpatient orthopedic care will benefit our patients and
community as we work to lower the cost of healthcare in Southwest Montana.”

“This designation establishes Bozeman Health as Montana’s leader in orthopedic services. Patients can
choose them with confidence knowing their level of patient safety and commitment to quality are at the
highest level,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc.
Bozeman Health | bozemanhealth.org

Proctor further states, “We’re excited to acknowledge Bozeman Health’s achievement and celebrate
with them. We take pride in knowing we’re making hospitals safer and improving patient outcomes
through programs like this one.”

“I am truly excited about the future of orthopedic and spine care in Southwest Montana,” shared Dr.
Ben Smith, orthopedic spine surgeon and medical director of The Spine + Joint Institute. “Within The
Spine + Joint Institute, we will track and analyze data that allows us to create programs and pathways
for the betterment of our community. Our goal is to become a center of excellence in orthopedic and
spine care to ensure each and every patient’s experience is the best it can possibly be.”

“Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital is a five-star quality rated, and Blue Distinction Center+ hospital.
In partnership with the exceptional orthopedic surgeons of The Spine + Joint Institute, we are
committed to delivering a world-class experience and optimal outcome for each and every patient,”
stated Dr. Kathryn Bertany, president of Deaconess Hospital and Big Sky Medical Center.

“Our dedicated team of surgeons and multidisciplinary staff provide coordinated care that begins with a
thorough pre-surgical medical evaluation in the Pre-Anesthesia Clinic to optimize the patient’s health for
improved outcomes and enhanced patient education and coaching to fully prepare for surgery. Their
teamwork extends through the day of the operation, and then into the patient’s recovery program,
which begins within hours of surgery and continues with close follow up at home. We’re providing
advanced care every step of the way.”

DNV presented Bozeman Health and the Spine + Joint Institute team with a certificate of designation on
Thursday, June 16, 2022, recognizing their hard work in seeking to improve spine and joint outcomes for
our patients and our community.

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 DNV

DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more
than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and
sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions.
Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing
training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make
critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.
DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer
and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV
helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a
trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.
For more information about DNV, visit www.dnvcert.com/healthcare