Community Hospitals Certified Nursing Assistant

Benefis Health System to open Goodnow Healthy Aging Center to serve Montana's growing senior population. The 15,000-square-foot outpatient clinic offers geriatric care, physical therapy, pharmacy consultation, nutrition services and more Physical therapists at Benefis Health System demonstrate some of the Goodnow Healthy Aging Center equipment. Posted 4:05 PM, Sep 22, 2026 GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Montana's population is aging rapidly, and a new facility in Great Falls aims to help residents navigate those years with better health and independence. Benefis Health System is opening the Goodnow Healthy Aging Center, a 15,000-square-foot outpatient clinic designed to take a proactive approach to senior health care. State estimates project that by 2030, a quarter of Montana's population will be 65 or older, placing the state among the six oldest in the nation. John Goodnow, CEO of Benefis Health System, said the center is built around one of the most common concerns among older adults. "If you talk to elderly people, one of the greatest fears is that they're going to end up in a nursing home or even in assisted living. And the best way to prevent that is to stay healthy, keep your mobility so you can remain independent," Goodnow said. The center features offices for patients to visit with geriatricians, an indoor/outdoor physical therapy space, pharmacy consultation, space for specialists and an innovative meal program aimed at improving nutrition. Kaci Husted, senior vice president at Benefis Health System, said the pharmacy component addresses a common challenge for aging patients. "A lot of folks, as they age, end up being on multiple different prescription medications, and it's not always necessarily the best thing or the right answer for them," Husted said. "So having that resource in the building will be a great option for folks as well to have medications reviewed to partner with the providers in the building to see what the best answer for any given patient might be." The nutrition program is anchored by an on-site dietitian and a meal service offering take-and-bake meals and meal kits. "We'll have a dietitian based in this building who can help with kind of training and adaptations to diet based on different needs a person might have. There will also be a meal service in the building where you can buy, take and bake meals or even meal kits," Husted said. Husted says the building also offers an education space. "We're very much looking forward to hosting different types of education sessions in here, as well as maybe partnering with some community groups to offer some different types of education that we maybe, haven't done in the past," said Husted. Beyond the medical services, the center was intentionally designed to feel welcoming rather than clinical. "It feels more like a living room or an inviting space, kind of like a lodge feel rather than your typical clinic," Husted said. Goodnow echoed that sentiment after seeing the finished space. "I tell you, when you walk in here to this central area, it knocked my socks off the first time I saw it," Goodnow said. Funding for the center was supported largely by Benefis Foundation donors, who contributed more than $2.5 million toward its construction. Goodnow said the center represents a shift in how health care can be delivered. "Most health systems are really focused on what's called sick care, taking care of people once they're already ill or broken and trying to fix them. This is a little different because this is trying to avoid you ever getting to that point," Goodnow said. The center held an open house and ribbon cutting on Tuesday, and Benefis employees received tours earlier in the day. It opens to the general public on Oct. 5.

Evans joins medical staff at BTMC. * By Vonnie Jacobson * Mar 18, 2026 Bethany Evans, a certified family nurse practitioner who has nursing experience in both the Intensive Care Unit and the Progressive Care Vascular Unit at Benefis Health System, is now a family nurse practitioner at Benefis Teton Medical Center providing care in the clinic, emergency department and hospital. Evans, who lives in Fairfield with her husband Brad and their two young sons, was drawn to healthcare because it allows her to combine science, problem solving and compassion while helping people navigate some of the most important and challenging moments in their lives. She was also inspired to become a primary care provider during the COVID-19 pandemic when she saw that many of her patients experiencing serious medical issues did not have a primary care "medical home." "Establishing care with a primary care provider is an important aspect of helping patients live their healthiest lives possible," she said. "I strive to provide an accurate diagnosis and a treatment option that works for each patient's individual needs. I want my patients to leave a visit with me feeling comfortable with the plan. I also want my patients to trust me enough to address and discuss any health-related issues - even if the topic could be seen as an uncomfortable one." Evans, 33, was raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a rural community surrounded by farmland. "Growing up in that environment gave me an appreciation for small communities and the importance of accessible local healthcare," Evans said. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Great Falls College and a Bachelor of Science in nursing and Master of Science in nursing through the University of Phoenix. "I completed all of my clinical rotations in Montana and went on to complete a one-year family medicine residency program with Benefis Health System in Great Falls," she said. Her healthcare career began when she was 17 years old working as a certified nursing assistant in long-term care. "I later worked as an emergency room technician before becoming a registered nurse," she said. "As a registered nurse, I worked in the intensive care unit, where I cared for critically ill patients and gained extensive experience managing complex medical conditions. After several years in critical care, I continued my education to become a family nurse practitioner." At BTMC, she provides primary care services in the clinic and also assists in the emergency department and with hospitalized patients. "This allows me to support patients and families through a wide range of healthcare needs," she said. "We are excited to welcome Bethany to the provider team at BTMC," Nancy Crawford, manager of operations at BTMC. "Her dedication to helping others and commitment to compassionate, high-quality care will be a great asset to our patients and the community we serve." When asked if she has a specialty, Evans said she enjoy focusing on preventive care to help reduce the risk of chronic conditions. "Whether that means treating obesity to lower metabolic risks such as diabetes and heart disease or helping patients who already have chronic conditions become the healthiest version of themselves, I enjoy combining lifestyle changes with evidence-based medicine to achieve the best possible outcomes," she said. "My family and I have really enjoyed making Montana our home over the past nine years, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to serve patients and families in Teton County," Evans said. "While most of our extended family lives out of state, we do have some siblings and many close friends in Montana who make it feel like home." Evans is an active member of the Fairfield Junior Women's Club. "Community involvement is important to our family," she said. Her husband is an volunteer firefighter with the Fairfield Fire Department. In her free time Evans enjoys traveling, baking sourdough bread and gardening. "We also spend a lot of time supporting our boys in their activities, including watching our oldest begin his Mini-Mite hockey career," she said. "Mostly, we just enjoy watching our boys grow and mature." In addition to Evans the provider team at BTMC includes: - Jeffrey MacEwen, D.O., medical director and board-certified family medicine physician. MacEwen provides care in the clinic, hospital, and emergency department and helps oversee the medical team. - Cherish Van Schaik, FNP-C, who provides primary care and hospital care and has years of experience in emergency and critical care nursing. - Tyson Frantz, a certified physician assistant, who provides care in the clinic, hospital, and emergency department and focuses on the broad scope of medicine needed in rural communities. Providers at BTMC care for patients in both the clinic and hospital settings, offering services such as primary care, emergency services, inpatient care, preventive care, chronic disease management and swing bed recovery care. These services are supported by the hospital's dedicated team of professionals providing laboratory, radiology and therapy services. 7 remaining of 8. Welcome! Choteau Acantha hope that you enjoy its free content.