GMC EXPLORING AFFILIATION OPTIONS WITH BILLINGS CLINIC BOARD TO SIGN NON-BINDING LETTER OF INTENT

Glendive, Montana, March 1, 2012 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) announced today it plans to sign a non-binding Letter Of Intent (LOI) that will explore affiliation options with Billings Clinic. 

"For more than a year, GMC has been studying models of collaboration to determine how an expanded partnership could benefit GMC and our community. This LOI gives us a framework to begin the process of assessing options for a closer relationship between our two organizations. We have had a long-standing relationship with Billings Clinic and share a similar philosophy," Dave Linn, GMC Board Chairman, said. 

Key areas of expanded collaboration include shared resources for enhancing quality outcomes, clinical and medical provider integration and leadership strategies, information technology advancements, increased purchasing power, and recruitment and retention of staff. "We will take a measured approach throughout the process of exploring collaboration with the intent to do what is best for GMC and our community," Linn added. 

With the uncertainties of health care reform and the challenges facing independent hospitals, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has affirmed that the need for greater collaboration among health care organizations has never been more compelling (www.aha.org). "While GMC stands strong today, we need to be responsible and consider collaborative efforts to continue to provide quality health care in our region," commented Scott A. Duke, CEO of Glendive Medical Center. 

"Billings Clinic has multiple relationships with health care organizations throughout the region and each is unique based on the needs of the local community, which is another reason why we have invited them into this discussion," Duke added. GMC has its own experience collaborating with Prairie Community Hospital in Terry, Montana over the past seven years. "We fully support GMC's efforts in establishing a collaborative agreement with Billings Clinic, and we thank GMC for its efforts on our behalf," Charlie Deisher, Prairie Community Hospital Board Chair, stated. 

Over the course of the next three to six months, GMC will host a series of employee and public forums where stakeholders and community members can receive information and ask questions during the process of exploration. "This is our community medical center and it's important for all of us to be engaged in the discussion about possible collaboration and opportunity for our organization," Duke added. Details of the forums will be available in the Community Awareness section of the GMC web site at www.gmc.org. 

Billings Clinic is a not-for-profit health care organization based in Billings, Montana. It is governed by a community board of directors and is the largest health care organization in Montana serving patients from Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas. For more information about Billings Clinic, please visit www.billingsclinic.com. 

ABOUT GLENDIVE MEDICAL CENTER - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is a 25-bed critical access hospital located in eastern Montana, providing 24-hour emergency care and a full array of medical and surgical services. In addition, GMC operates two nursing homes with 151 total skilled beds-Extended Care (71 beds) and Eastern Montana Veterans Home (80 beds)-Gabert Clinic and Pharmacy, and The Heritage (Assisted Living 13-Units). Please call 406-345-3306 for inquiries or visit www.gmc.org.