The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

As a non-profit organization, the IRS requires Big Sandy Medical Center to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. The CHNA is an opportunity for the members of the community to express their opinions about what is needed in the area, not just to help support their health, but to support the well-being of the community as a whole as well. You can view some of the current assessments from around the state at the Montana Healthcare Foundation’s website. The last time this was performed, residents of the community received a survey in their mail. Just over 100 responses were received.

Ron Wiens, CEO, of the facility, has decided to take a different approach for this year’s assessment. He will be hosting various meetings with specific populations in the community. On Jan 11, he hosted a meeting during lunch at the Senior Center, for the Seniors in our community. In that conversation, he learned that the group felt the three biggest factors contributing to a healthy community are having a quality education system, good health care services, and low crime/safe neighborhoods. Other areas addressed are risky behaviors, health related problems, and other opinions about life in the community. If you missed the lunch today, there are still surveys at the Senior Center so you can share your input.

Coming up on January 23, at 4 pm, at the Church of God, he will be hosting a conversation with parents/guardians of school age children. Pre-school childcare will be available during this meeting if you need it. He also intends to have a survey distributed to high school students. If you don’t fall into any of those categories, there will also be surveys available for you to fill out at The Grocery Store, Pep’s, The Mint, and The Bakery. If you return your completed survey to any of those businesses you will receive $5 off your purchase, as incentive for taking the time to share your opinion.

Ron is hoping to have between 100-150 responses by February 14. He will then be tasked with the duty of compiling the data, and finding three priorities the Medical Center can help to improve in the great community of Big Sandy. After those three have been identified, he must create an action plan and submit that to the Board of Directors for approval before June 30, 2024.

This is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, opinions, and requests here in Big Sandy. Please, join a focus group, or stop at any of the above-mentioned businesses to fill out a survey so your voice can be heard. Stay tuned for more information as results continue to come in.