SCL Health Montana Expands Maternal Fetal Medicine Program to Meet Growing Needs

475 x 285 MFM

Billings, MT - To continue to serve communities across Montana and Northern Wyoming, St. Vincent Healthcare is expanding its Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) program, in partnership with Intermountain Healthcare, to continue to meet the needs of women facing high-risk pregnancies and to keep their care closer to home.

Through this program, four Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists from Intermountain Healthcare will join the MFM program at SCL Health Montana to provide improved access to specialty care to more providers in communities throughout the region. It will allow for 24/7 access to MFM specialists, in-person and telehealth outreach to clinics, and increased care coordination.

“We are going to be able to bring comprehensive, cutting-edge MFM services to OB providers, hospitals and outreach clinics in the SCL Health Montana network,” said Flint Porter, MD, MFM Physician.

In the past, patients may have had to travel to receive care or to see a specialist, when experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Through the program, patients will see expanded access to services on-site at SCL Health facilities and affiliated clinics and through telemedicine capabilities. Additionally, the program will include education and support for providers and ultrasound education for sonographers to be able to provide Level II, high-risk ultrasounds at local healthcare facilities.

“There are increasing numbers of women experiencing complications in pregnancy and through this expanded access and outreach, we will be bringing this specialty care to the women we serve, hopefully limiting their need for travel,” said Vicki Birkeland, Director of Nursing of Women’s Services at St. Vincent Healthcare. “Our ultimate goal is to keep patients closer to home, which we believe is beneficial for the mother and her child.”