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Comprehensive Care for Every
Life Stage

At Deer Lodge Medical Center, we believe healthcare should be personal, approachable and centered on each patient’s needs. As a certified critical access hospital managed by Cypress Healthcare, we provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, 24/7 emergency services and a full range of specialty and supportive services — all designed to strengthen the health of the communities we serve.

Our physicians, nurses and staff are committed to providing exceptional care close to home, combining advanced medical resources with the warmth and familiarity of a small-town hospital. It’s our mission to ensure that high-quality care is always available close to home, delivered with compassion, respect and a deep commitment to the people who rely on us. This commitment has earned us Planetree Patient-Centered Care Certification.

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Our Mission

To provide person-centered healthcare.

Our Vision

To partner with our community to be the first-choice healthcare provider — creating a healing environment by personalizing, demystifying and humanizing the healthcare experience for patients and their caregivers.

Our Values

Our values are the foundation of who we are and how we serve. They reflect our commitment to our patients, our colleagues and our community.

We Commit to

Treat each other and those we serve with compassion, respect and dignity.

Customize care according to patients’ personal choices through informed, engaged interactions.

Act with integrity and adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Attract and retain high-quality professionals.

Value teamwork, collaboration and cooperation.

Demonstrate accountability to our patients and to one another for high standards of care.

Do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.

Our History

Deer Lodge Medical Center’s story spans more than 150 years of resilience, service and community partnership. From a small log cabin hospital established by the Sisters of Charity to a state-of-the-art Planetree affiliate, DLMC has grown alongside the people of Powell County. This timeline reflects the milestones, challenges and shared moments that shaped who we are today.

Deer Lodge Medical Center thanks the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Archivist Tonya Crawford and the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation for their dedication to preserving this history.

1869
The first Sisters of Charity arrive in Montana, laying the foundation for compassionate, community-based healthcare.

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1869

The first Sisters of Charity arrive in Montana, laying the foundation for compassionate, community-based healthcare.

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1869

The first Sisters of Charity arrive in Montana, laying the foundation for compassionate, community-based healthcare.

Deer Lodge and the surrounding community has always been blessed with state-of-the-art medical care. The first five Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas arrived in Helena, Montana after a twelve-day trip by rail and stagecoach. These sisters were Montana’s first trained nurses.

1873
Four Sisters of Charity open St. Joseph’s Hospital in a small log cabin, providing care to miners, farmers, and families.

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1873

Four Sisters of Charity open St. Joseph’s Hospital in a small log cabin, providing care to miners, farmers, and families.

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1873

Four Sisters of Charity open St. Joseph’s Hospital in a small log cabin, providing care to miners, farmers, and families.

Reverend Remigius DeRyckere invited four Sisters of Charity to open St. Joseph’s Hospital in a small log cabin — the second hospital in Montana. They cared for miners, farmers and families who traveled for miles seeking help.

1874
The Sisters build a two- story hospital on donated land, creating the first permanent healthcare facility in Deer Lodge.

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1874

The Sisters build a two- story hospital on donated land, creating the first permanent healthcare facility in Deer Lodge.

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1874

The Sisters build a two- story hospital on donated land, creating the first permanent healthcare facility in Deer Lodge.

Raising funds on horseback, the Sisters built a larger, two-story hospital on land donated by the Deer Lodge Law Firm Claget and Dixon. The new building opened in March 1874, marking a new era in community healthcare.

1877
Sisters care for soldiers wounded in the Battle of the Big Hole, earning lasting gratitude from General Gibbon and his men.

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1877

Sisters care for soldiers wounded in the Battle of the Big Hole, earning lasting gratitude from General Gibbon and his men.

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1877

Sisters care for soldiers wounded in the Battle of the Big Hole, earning lasting gratitude from General Gibbon and his men.

The Sisters tended wounded soldiers after the Battle of the Big Hole. Their compassion earned gratitude from General Gibbon and his troops, who called the Sisters “a Godsend.”

1882
Community donations fund a new brick St. Joseph’s Hospital, expanding access to healthcare in Powell County.

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1882

Community donations fund a new brick St. Joseph’s Hospital, expanding access to healthcare in Powell County.

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1882

Community donations fund a new brick St. Joseph’s Hospital, expanding access to healthcare in Powell County.

Community donations funded a new brick St. Joseph’s Hospital on Dixon Street and St. Mary’s Avenue. The 65-bed facility symbolized growth and enduring faith in local healthcare.

1909
The arrival of the railroad fuels population growth and increases demand for local medical services.

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1909

The arrival of the railroad fuels population growth and increases demand for local medical services.

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1909

The arrival of the railroad fuels population growth and increases demand for local medical services.

The arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad brought new residents and renewed demand for expanded healthcare in Deer Lodge.

1917
Construction begins on a new brick and stone hospital to serve a growing community.

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1917

Construction begins on a new brick and stone hospital to serve a growing community.

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1917–1920

Construction begins on a new brick and stone hospital to serve a growing community.

Construction began on a grand new St. Joseph’s Hospital, described as “the pride of Deer Lodge and the surrounding country.” The modern facility opened in 1920, equipped with an electric elevator and steam-powered heat.

1920
The new St. Joseph’s Hospital opens, featuring modern technology and advanced amenities.

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1920

The new St. Joseph’s Hospital opens, featuring modern technology and advanced amenities.

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1920

The new St. Joseph’s Hospital opens, featuring modern technology and advanced amenities.

1963
After 90 years of service, the Sisters of Charity transitioned leadership to Powell County. The new Powell County Memorial Hospital opened in 1964, ensuring continued local care.

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1963

After 90 years of service, the Sisters of Charity transitioned leadership to Powell County. The new Powell County Memorial Hospital opened in 1964, ensuring continued local care.

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1963–1964

After 90 years of service, the Sisters of Charity transitioned leadership to Powell County. The new Powell County Memorial Hospital opened in 1964, ensuring continued local care.

1966
The Powell County Hospital Auxiliary forms to support patients, staff and healthcare education.

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1966

The Powell County Hospital Auxiliary forms to support patients, staff and healthcare education.

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1966

The Powell County Hospital Auxiliary forms to support patients, staff and healthcare education.

The Powell County Hospital Auxiliary was founded to support patients and staff. Volunteers began fundraising and offering scholarships to future healthcare professionals.

1986
The Powell County Medical Foundation is established to sustain hospital operations through community fundraising.

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1986

The Powell County Medical Foundation is established to sustain hospital operations through community fundraising.

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1986

The Powell County Medical Foundation is established to sustain hospital operations through community fundraising.

The Powell County Medical Foundation was created to preserve hospital operations during financial challenges. Community donations sustained local healthcare services.

1991
The hospital association assumes operations and integrates the Deer Lodge Clinic, uniting local healthcare services.

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1991

The hospital association assumes operations and integrates the Deer Lodge Clinic, uniting local healthcare services.

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1991–1992

The hospital association assumes operations and integrates the Deer Lodge Clinic, uniting local healthcare services.

The Powell County Memorial Hospital Association assumed operation and the Deer Lodge Clinic joined as a department — uniting inpatient and outpatient care.

1996
A modernization project expands the hospital; the new Deer Lodge Clinic opens to serve more patients.

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1996

A modernization project expands the hospital; the new Deer Lodge Clinic opens to serve more patients.

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1996–2000

A modernization project expands the hospital; the new Deer Lodge Clinic opens to serve more patients.

A major renovation modernized the hospital. In 2000, the new Deer Lodge Clinic opened its doors, expanding access to local medical services.

2011
The new Deer Lodge Medical Center opens, a state-of-the-art facility built on the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care.

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2011

The new Deer Lodge Medical Center opens, a state-of-the-art facility built on the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care.

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2011

The new Deer Lodge Medical Center opens, a state-of-the-art facility built on the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care.

The new Deer Lodge Medical Center opened — a state-of-the-art Critical Access Hospital designed with the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care.

2020
A community-built playground is added to the campus, symbolizing resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2020

A community-built playground is added to the campus, symbolizing resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2020

A community-built playground is added to the campus, symbolizing resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deer Lodge Medical Center continued to grow, adding a community-built playground during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding facilities for Cardiac Rehab, Respiratory Therapy and Infusion Services.

2022
Facility expansions add dedicated spaces for Cardiac Rehab, Respiratory Therapy and Infusion Services.

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2022

Facility expansions add dedicated spaces for Cardiac Rehab, Respiratory Therapy and Infusion Services.

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2022

Facility expansions add dedicated spaces for Cardiac Rehab, Respiratory Therapy and Infusion Services.

Deer Lodge Medical Center continued to grow, adding a community-built playground during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding facilities for Cardiac Rehab, Respiratory Therapy and Infusion Services.