By Ed Moreth 

New clinic to open in Plains

 


A new medical facility will be opening in Plains with a staff of 38 combined medical years experience.

Costner Care Family Clinic located along Railroad Street a block from Clark Fork Valley Hospital on the east side of Plains is scheduled to open for business on July 1. The new practice will be run by Family Nurse Practitioner David Costner and his wife, Registered Nurse Julie Costner. The couple will be primary care providers for all ages, said David, who has been in the healthcare business for 16 years and a provider for 10 years. He has been working at the hospital for five years as a family nurse practitioner, but he is presently transitioning to independent business.

“Improved healthcare access is needed as Sanders County is experiencing consistent population growth, has a considerable retirement community, and is one of the highest per capita rates of veterans in Montana,” said the 45-year-old David Costner, whose last day at the hospital is June 30. He said he will have same-day appointments for established patients and will be welcoming new patients as well.

Costner graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2010 with 10 years of full-time college, including six years of nursing and advanced nursing. Julie, 45, has 24 years of experience, graduating in 1997 from the Mercy School of Nursing, Charlotte, N.C. He became a licensed provider in Montana in 2016. The Costner Family Practice will be a true family business. Not only will it be a husband and wife team, their son, Elijah, 19, will be graduating from Flathead Valley Community College in the registered nurse program next year and plans to join the business. Their daughter, Jordan, a high school student, will work part-time there as a patient service representative, but she has aspirations to become a nurse midwife, said David. It was Elijah who encouraged his parents to establish a clinic. “Everyone in the family is a member in the company and will benefit from hard work and service,” he said.

Costner Family Practice will provide an assortment of medical care — managing acute and chronic diseases, like fatigue, sinus problems, and tonsil care, weight problems, and insomnia, mumps, pulmonary fibrosis, and COVID testing, as well as coronary artery disease, heart failure, gastrointestinal difficulties and even psychological problems, to name a few. “What’s the point of medicine if we’re not inspired to face the next day?” asked David, who wants to put an emphasis in reaching out to neighbors and friends suffering with depression and anxiety, especially with lockdowns and cancellations due to COVID-19, and associated societal strain and political upheaval. “We all need encouragement to face these times,” he said.

The Costners started working to convert part of their home into a medical facility in January, doing much of the work themselves. The electrical, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing has been completed, along with the construction of four rooms, which will include space for a check-in desk, a waiting room, lab and two exam rooms. “We are creating a homelike welcoming space with the feel of walking into a clinic from 100 years ago while providing first class individualized care,” said David. The entire family helped with constructing the facility, pitching in with the framing, drywalling, hanging doors, painting, and landscaping. “We embrace the motto, ‘always keep a blue-collar work ethic and be willing to work just as hard with your mind,’” he said.

“We have three phases to the project, building out 4,000 square feet of initial office space and an additional smaller urgent care clinic with additional providers as we grow,” he added. The facility will include vital sign machines, EKG testing apparatus, pulmonary testing equipment and lab gear. The facility has a paved parking lot with a wheelchair ramp and the building is ADA accessible. Equipment, furnishing, and supplies continue to trickle in. Clark Fork Valley Hospital donated an exam table in May. The hospital and Plains Family Medicine Network have been highly supportive of Costner’s new clinic and he plans to continue working with the hospital staff. David said that those who would like to make an appointment at the new facility for after July 1 can do so by calling (406) 540-5757. New patients should provide their health records.  

“As a family, we wanted to start a faith-based clinic with a mission to provide excellent medical care to everyone while sharing hope even in the midst of illness,” said David. “Personally, I wanted to provide a business opportunity, based on community service that our children could flourish in and add to Sanders County economy for future generations. I am thrilled our children are looking to build a future here in western Montana,” he said.

Prior to the COVID situation, David had about 3,000 patients a year and is already scheduling patients for the new business. The Costner family moved to Plains five years ago after spending four years in North Dakota. David was the first non-physician provider to be trained in the Hospitalist Program for medical students at the Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn., where he was born and raised.

Costner looks forward to his new clinic. “Relationships have always been important to our family,” said David. “People are not just a number. All people have inherent value by their Creator to care for the most vulnerable in our communities in their greatest time of need, with empathy and competence,” added David, who also said his Christian faith is an integral part of his work and care for others. 

“No one likes to be a patient. We want to offer a kid friendly safe, warm, and engaging atmosphere as we meet your healthcare needs. “We believe every person is an eternal being with purpose, dignity, and inherent value, not just a number or statistic."

” said David, adding that his patients need hope and that prayer is not a backup plan. “We do not point to institutionalized religion but have experienced God’s mercy and grace and desire to care for others in this manner. Jesus gave us the servant-leader model. We look forward to seeing this in future generations.”

 

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