North Star Institute in Whitefish, Montana to open 24-bed treatment facility for eating disorders

North Star Institute, a not-for-profit venture based in Whitefish, is happy to announce the impending development of a 24-bed comprehensive treatment facility for eating disorders.

Eating disorders are among the most difficult psychiatric disorders to treat. Along with the social and psychological pressures of those suffering with these problems, eating disorders are the most fatal of all psychological disabilities.

More than two years ago, health care providers in the Flathead Valley began meeting to discuss the opportunity to provide more comprehensive care to those suffering from eating disorders. At the same time, one of those providers, Steve Bryson who is a registered nurse and licensed clinical professional counselor with a private practice in Whitefish, was confronted with the necessity of this type of care for one of his clients. He found that comprehensive care for eating disorders was virtually unavailable in northwestern North America.

Bryson’s client was gravely disabled from her eating disorder and required a court mandated residential care, which currently is unavailable in the State of Montana. After an exhaustive search, Bryson realized that the nearest facility was more than 600 miles away.

“This is hardly convenient for the family and certainly not within the state,” Bryson said.

While discussing the quandary with the family in the lobby of the Flathead Criminal Justice Center, the patient’s grandfather asked Bryson why there was no facility in Montana. To answer his question, Steve began researching treatment centers around western United States, while keeping an eye on the feasibility of starting a facility here in the valley.

The concept was compelling from a number of perspectives. As much as five percent of the population suffers from eating disorders. The most current census of northwestern United States shows a population of approximately 6 million people.

“The staggering number of individuals not served is astounding,” Bryson said.

While Bryson has a successful private practice of 20 years and past experience in administration with mental health services, he had little entrepreneurial experience. It took him only a moment to think of partnering with North Valley Hospital. Having just completed a major development culminating in the new North Valley Hospital Campus, Bryson said that CEO Craig Aasved was the logical person to consult.

After the initial meeting, Aasved and Bryson agreed it was a perfect fit. North Valley Hospital is a small hospital with the Planetree philosophy that compliments the compassionate, patient-centered approach that Bryson wants for his facility.
And now, after over two years of research, planning and development, Bryson, along with his partner John Bennett, a health care facility developer, have signed a letter of intent with North Valley Hospital for a lease/purchase agreement for land on the new campus.

The plan for this privately owned not-for-profit venture is to purchase approximately four acres of land north of the new hospital and build a comfortable modern residential facility with room for 24 patients. In addition, there will be space for partial hospitalization as well as direct outpatient services. North Valley Hospital will provide necessary inpatient hospital care for medically-compromised patients to stabilize them for transfer to the residential program at North Star Institute. Additionally, North Valley Hospital will contract with North Star Institute to provide selected ancillary services such as dietary, laboratory, laundry and maintenance.

“The principles are excited about this project and are optimistic that this desirable facility will serve a large area with many who continue to suffer from eating disorders, unable to access the competent level of care required,” Bryson said. Salmon Bay Architects have been engaged, we are determining our contractor at this time, and project an opening in the third quarter of 2009.

We will keep the public informed as the project unfolds.

For further information:

Steve Bryson, RNMC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

[email protected]