Medical center back in its renovated headquarters

Last week brought some major changes to Sweet Medical Center in Chinook.

After operating for most of the spring out of an empty house at 1109 Ohio St., the center began taking care of patients at its renovated main building on Thursday.

The first day back in the original facility, at 419 Pennsylvania St., was also the first day for the center's new executive director, Jared Payne

"Our biggest purpose in the remodel is to provide a better service to our patients, to get our employees and staff working better together, and to provide cleaner, safer service to our patients, " Payne said.

Aside from cosmetic changes, the renovation included the construction of a new nurses station and a new, larger and more up-to-date x-ray area.

Payne said that he also hopes to improve services by implementing new policies, from the Patient-Centered Medical Home model being put forward by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

"One of the things I'm most excited about are some of the common- sense changes that are coming to health care, that are not associated with the health care reform act, " Payne said. "It provides more efficiency from top to bottom, with better service and better patient outcome.

"I really believe it's the best health care model in the world. "

The previous director, Karen Bradway, recently retired after more than seven years.

The Bozeman-native said he heard about the job in Chinook while he was working as a manager/superintendent for a project constructing staff headquarters for the Indian Health Services on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, while getting a Master's in Business Administration.

He completed both last year.

Now Payne says he is ready for his new opportunity.

"I've always wanted to raise my family in Montana, so the two came together perfectly, " Payne said. "I'm young. I'm ambitious. And I'm excited to make a big impact on this community, Blaine County and the Hi-Line. "