Business Briefcase: News from State Fund, hospital association, St. Peter's and more
Montana State Fund has record $43M dividend
Montana State Fund, Montana's largest and only not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company, recently announced a record $43 million dividend to more than 22,000 policyholders.
"This year's dividend highlights MSF's commitment to Montana's employers and workers," said MSF President and CEO Holly O'Dell. "Our investments in workplace safety and claims support have empowered businesses to build safer workplaces and reduce premium costs."
Board Chair Richard Miltenberger said state fund's vision is to help build a safer, healthier and more prosperous Montana.
"We always consider the long-term viability of MSF before making a decision," he said in a news release.
This is the 26th consecutive year MSF has declared a dividend, totaling over $474 million distributed to policyholders. Dividend payments will begin in late October and are expected to be completed by the end of November.
More information about MSF and its dividend program can be found online at www.montanastatefund.com .
Helena Abstract & Title gets new owners
Title Financial Corp. of Idaho has acquired Helena Abstract & Title Co. in Helena, it was announced Thursday.
Helena Abstract has been a family-owned and locally operated business providing title and escrow services in Lewis and Clark County since 1935. It will continue to operate as Helena Abstract & Title Co.
"We are delighted to be able to partner with a family-owned company like Title Financial Corp.," Russ Gowen and Bill Gowen Jr. said in a news release. "Our values are closely aligned. We look forward to being a part of the TFC family of companies."
They thanked Bill Sr. and Rita Gowen for their years of dedication to this company, the community and the title industry.
"They built a solid foundation that will now continue into the future," they said.
Title Financial Corp. is a family-owned company established in Blackfoot, Idaho, in 1905. It has extended its footprint throughout Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. It offers cross-state services, the latest industry technology, underwriter flexibility, and superior title and escrow expertise.
"We would like to thank our business partners for trusting Helena Abstract & Title Company throughout the years and are delighted to have the same team in place," said Bob Sewell, northern regional president of Title Financial Corp.
Canfield to retire from KLJ
Longtime employee Craig Canfield is retiring from KLJ Engineering, company officials said.
Canfield joined KLJ in 2005. He is a professional engineer in Montana with 40 years of experience and a member of KLJ's aviation team. His expertise as a design engineer and project manager has been instrumental to the success of major projects at commercial service and general aviation airports across Montana, company officials said.
Canfield has worked on airport projects including the Sidney-Richland Regional Airport and the Baker Municipal Airport Runway Rehabilitation and Expansion Project.
Canfield has been a member of professional organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives (Northwest Chapter), the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Consulting Engineers Council of Montana, the Montana Airport Management Association, the Montana Community Airport Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
His work has earned him several prestigious accolades and awards, including the Montana Society of Engineers Outstanding Young Engineer award in 1994 and the Billings Engineer Club Distinguished Service Award in 2010.
Canfield's contributions have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on KLJ employees, projects and many Montana communities, company officials said.
Montana Hospital Association announces top honors
The Montana Hospital Association announced recipients of its top honors for 2024 recognizing individuals and organizations dedicated to excellence and quality in care.
Those honored are:
"This recognition showcases individuals and organizations who are leading the way to make Montana stronger and healthier," said Bob Olsen, Montana Hospital Association president and CEO.
The Montana Hospital Association (MHA) is a nonprofit organization with more than 80 members that provide the full spectrum of health care services, including hospital inpatient and outpatient services, skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospice, physician services, assisted living, senior housing and insurance services.
St. Peter's Family Practice LPN Clinic Coordinator Jennifer Hawke and Certified Registered Nurse Tina Naastad received Daisy Awards for exceptional nurses.
Awardees are selected quarterly from nominations submitted by St. Peter's patients, their families and fellow colleagues.
Hawke works as a clinic coordinator in the North Clinic, and the colleagues who nominated her commented on her ability to go above and beyond in caring for patients while covering several providers at once.
"Jen went out of her way to meet with a patient she had been communicating with over MyChart to chat with them while they waited for the provider. The patient expressed to me how thankful he was for Jen's timely and helpful responses to the questions and asked to meet her in person so they could put a face to the name. This is just one of many examples of how amazing Jen is as a nurse and co-worker," said one colleague.
Nastaad works in the ICU, and the patient who nominated her said Tina got her through one of the hardest days of her life. "Tina was kind, polite, soothing, calming and professional. Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life, but good things are happening now. Thank you for your support Tina!"
The Daisy Award was established to honor the work nurses do to care for patients and families every day. The award is presented in collaboration with the American Organization of Nurse Executives. St. Peter's Health Administration and staff select the winner from those nominated. Recipients receive a certificate and a sculpture called a Healer's Touch, which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
Hospital welcomes new doctors
St. Peter's Health Medical Group welcomes family medicine physician Dr. Elizabeth Wright and interventional radiologist Dr. Aaron Smith.
Wright earned her doctorate of medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, and received a bachelor of arts in human biology from the University of Montana in Missoula.
She completed a residency at St. Mary's Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, Colorado. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and is a member of the Montana Medical Association and American Academy of Family Practice.
She is accepting new patients at St. Peter's Health Medical Group – North Clinic.
Smith earned his doctorate of medicine at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, after completing his master of science in health science and bachelors of science in microbiology and clinical lab science at Montana State University in Bozeman.
He completed his interventional radiology independent residency at Baylor Scott and White - Texas A&M College of Medicine in Temple, Texas. He is providing care at St. Peter's Diagnostic Imaging at 2475 Broadway.
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