Community Medical Center and Providence announce intention to build new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Missoula

Community and Providence St. Patrick Hospital to develop a joint venture partnership that will build and operate a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Missoula.

The new, free-standing facility will help to meet the growing community need for specialized rehabilitation services. Upon completion of this project, Community Medical Center will transition its existing inpatient rehabilitation program to the new rehabilitation hospital, and Providence St. Patrick Hospital will provide supplemental clinical services and administrative support.

"Named as the number one rehab hospital in Montana by U.S. News & World Report, Community Medical Center is a leader in inpatient rehabilitation for patients throughout western Montana and northern Idaho. Due to the growing and aging population in Montana, we have recognized the need for additional capacity and specialization," said Bonnie Stephens, MD, chief medical officer of Community Medical Center. "A freestanding rehabilitation hospital will allow more patients to receive intensive rehabilitation here in Missoula. We are excited to partner with Providence St. Patrick Hospital, to leverage our shared resources to best serve patients throughout the region as they recover from illness or injury." 

The new rehabilitation hospital will provide intensive nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy services for adults recovering from conditions such as stroke, neurological disease, brain or spinal cord injury, and other debilitating illnesses or injuries. Through investment in leading-edge technology, adaptive units, multidisciplinary therapy gymnasiums and more, the partners will be able to provide highly specialized care that meets each patient’s unique needs. 

The new rehabilitation hospital will be located in Missoula and are planning on a facility of approximately 45,000 square feet and 40 beds. While construction timelines are not yet finalized, we estimate the hospital will open to patients in late 2026 or early 2027.

"It has been our goal to expand access to specialty care in the Missoula community, and today, we take an important step forward,” said William J. (Bill) Calhoun, chief executive of Providence Montana. "Through our partnership with Community Medical Center, we're not only establishing a new facility but also expanding a system of care serving our patients with the individualized rehabilitation care they need."

Upon completion, the rehabilitation hospital will become the first freestanding rehabilitation hospital to be located in Missoula.