New Professional Center set to open Nov. 2

The new North Valley Hospital Professional Center will open Nov. 2 on Talbott Road. An open house is planned for the $2 million Columbia Falls clinic Nov. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. as a Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce business after hours event.

Drs. Mary Ann Carlson, Cameron Gardner and Katiera Rivera will all practice there as will nurse practitioners Brittany Coburn and Dan Masar. The 8,700-square foot center offers family medicine, obstetrics, geriatric and pediatric care. The staff is moving from its old facility on U.S. Highway 2 and North Valley Hospital plan on selling the old building, said hospital spokeswoman Catherine Todd.

The Professional Center was started in 1978 by Drs. Joan Miller and Wade Covill. Carlson joined in 1979. It was acquired by the hospital a few years ago. Todd said the center will also have visits by an orthopedic surgeon on a weekly basis and in the future, it would like to add a psychiatrist and a geriatrician.

The hospital is also in talks with School District 6 to set up a school-based health clinic for treatment of students who might become ill and for other health services.

The clinic offers same-day appointments and will be open from 8 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. The hospital purchased the land from School District 6 for $230,000 last fall.