Mother Xavier Ross led the Sisters of Charity into the Indian Territory of Kansas in 1858. In 1869, the Sisters extended their charitable works into Montana Territory at the request of Father Pierre Jean DeSmet. Saint Vincent Hospital in Billings was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in 1898. The hospital officially opened on February 1, 1899. The city and region grew quickly and the demand for healthcare increased dramatically. By 1915, the Sisters and area medical personnel had cared for more than 20,000 patients.

During the next thirty years, rapid medical advancements and the area’s growing population kept the hospital in a constant state of change and growth, but true to its mission, compassion and charity remained at the forefront of the hospital’s endeavors. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Sisters at Saint Vincent Hospital helped feed the hungry. With the advent of World War II, volunteer services became essential to the operation of the hospital.

Adapting to the changes in healthcare meant a new name for Saint Vincent Hospital. In November 2000, we became St. Vincent Healthcare. From its modest beginnings over 100 years ago, St. Vincent Healthcare has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in a four-state area. Renowned for a mission of compassionate care and service to the poor, the St. Vincent Healthcare team is continually recognized as a technological leader in the healthcare industry.

Our Board of Directors is composed of volunteers who bring their business expertise and diverse backgrounds to support our ministry:

• Danette Gleason, Chair
• Chris Edwards, Vice Chair
• Charles Notbohm, Secretary
• Jen Alderfer
• Karen Fagg
• Sister Eileen Hurley
• Sister Judith Jackson
• MJ Janssen
• Bernard McCarthy
• Colleen O'Leary
• Susan Peterson
• Vu Pham
• Becky Reno
• Majel Russell

• Jennifer Alderfer, President, St. Vincent Healthcare and SCL Health Montana-Wyoming
• Chris Spoja, DO - Chief Medical Officer
• Tyler Wiltgen - Executive Director, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation
• Melissa Filter, MSN, RN, NE, BC - Chief Nursing Officer
• Jackie Hines - Senior Director, Surgical & Procedural Services
• Tracy Neary - Regional Vice President, Mission Integration and Interim Regional Vice President, Human Resources
• Pam Palagi - Regional Vice President, Finance
• Misty Parris - Vice President of Operations Medical Group Montana-Wyoming
• Meghan Pimley - Senior Director, Oncology/Orthopedics
• Heather Stamey - Senior Director, Emergency & Critical Care
• Dustin Strandell - Senior Director, Service Lines
• Kyle Young - Senior Director, Strategy & Business Development
• Jeffrey Zavala, MD - Regional Chief Medical Officer, Medical Group and Provider Services