PMC Hits One-Year Mark With New Facility

It has been one year since the hospital on the hill opened its doors in Pocatello.

Portneuf Medical Center CEO Norm Stephens, said it’s hard to believe he’s already marking a one-year anniversary since the new medical center opened its doors.

“It’s kind of like, ‘blink your eye and it’s been a year’. I can hardly believe it’s been a year, it’s gone so fast,? Stephens said.

He said PMC’s facility has brought the kind medical options usually only seen in much larger cities.

“Not too many towns of our size have everything from neurosurgery to trauma, to the helicopter, open-heart surgery, and all that we do. It’s pretty rare to see a town this size with this level of services,? Stephens said.

About 1,200 people in the area are directly employed by the hospital.

Apart from the jobs created, Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce President Matt Hunter said the hospital helps out other local businesses by bringing people into the community.

“They’re staying overnight in hotels, they’re eating meals, they’re shopping while they’re here, they’re doing other things while they’re here. They’ve got somebody in the hospital and their family is visiting here. They’re staying here and spending money while they’re here. It’s a large economic impact,? Hunter said.

But he said that, more importantly, the hospital has helped local people stay healthier.

“Our emergency room times are minimal compared back when we had a much smaller emergency room. So we’re taking much better care of the folks in our community,? Hunter said.