You can listen to a recording of the December 14th meeting here:

http://lwv.balldt.org/LWV-12-14-20.mp4

The Bozeman Area League of Women Voters invites you to a Zoom meeting on Monday, December 14 from noon to 1 p.m. for a program with Robert Munjal, M.D. and Cindy Knutsen, R.N..  They are experts in psychiatric care and have been on the front lines for decades, and have cared for many from Bozeman who are currently forced to seek care out of town.  

 I am hoping that many will attend this meeting, especially as I know how hard Cindy and Dr Munjal are now working and the personal cost of giving their time and energy.

We are lucky they care so very much about patients and want to help us understand the needs first hand in ways most of us do not.

 Why so important now?

Bozeman Health was set to close 17 beds after their recent remodel.  For now, they are keeping them open because of COVID.  They have also completed the 3rd floor with additional 20 beds, planned for COVID or future expansion.  These spaces could be used for inpatient psychiatric care.

 The hospital CEO has been opposed to inpatient psych care-despite mental health and substance use disorder care being ranked #1&2 in every Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Gallatin County since 2010-including the one just completed.

 If we can inform ourselves regarding how other hospitals in MT care for those in need of psychiatric crisis care, it is my hope we can be more confident and effective advocates for similar services here in Bozeman.  

Please, call me, Beth Sirr, if you have any questions 451-4525.

Topic: Bozeman Program Meeting