For generations, Watford City has been a central part of the First International Bank & Trust (FIBT) story. Continuing that longstanding commitment to the community, the Stenehjem family and FIBT are proud to contribute $280,000 to the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health to help fund a new two-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) deployment within McKenzie Health Hospital’s medical/surgical unit.
The new ICU space will expand McKenzie Health’s ability to care for patients with more complex medical needs locally. Construction of the space is complete, with staff education and clinical training as the next phase before the new ICU capability is put into service.
Care Close to Home
For rural communities, having access to a higher level of care close to home can make an important difference. Patients who need intensive monitoring or treatment may otherwise require a transfer to a larger medical center, sometimes hours away. Distance, winter weather, transportation challenges, and bed availability can make those transfers more difficult. The two new ICU beds will give McKenzie Health another level of care it can provide locally when clinically appropriate.
“Watford City has been home to our family and First International Bank & Trust for generations, and we believe strongly in investing in the people and organizations that make this community a great place to live,” said Gretchen Stenehjem, family owner of First International Bank & Trust. “Having access to excellent health care close to home is an important part of a strong rural community. We are proud to support McKenzie Health and to help make this new ICU capability possible for patients and families throughout our region.”
A Longstanding Commitment
FIBT’s connection to the area stretches back more than a century. The bank traces its history to nearby Arnegard in 1910 and remains family-owned today. Supporting McKenzie Health continues that longstanding commitment to the people and organizations helping western North Dakota communities thrive.
Two ICU beds may represent a relatively small footprint, but their potential impact reaches much further. The project strengthens McKenzie Health’s ability to respond when patients need a higher level of care and helps provide more options for patients and families closer to home.