News

HAMILTON, Montana – A new health care location will open in Darby in late 2023; Bitterroot Health – Darby Scripps Clinic, will bring more health care services to our growing community.

On Wednesday, March 8th, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site, 3326 HWY 93 South, in Darby. In attendance were Bitterroot Health CEO, John Bishop, Bitterroot Health Foundation Board President, Tom Grymes, current Bitterroot Health Darby physician, Maria Hipp, members of the Bitterroot Health Board, Bitterroot Health Leadership, members from the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce, Darby Mayor, Nancy McKinney, Darby Fire Chief, Duane Horvath, Darby Marshall TJ Gibson and Larry Rose, Darby School Superintendent, Tony Biesiot, and representatives from Neenan Architects who are designing and building the new facility.

Mr. Bishop welcomed attendees and gave a brief background on the Bitterroot Health Darby Scripps Clinic project. When talking about the hospital’s history, Bishop said, “Since our start and our early roots in Hamilton, we have adhered to our mission of providing care for all in the Bitterroot Valley. As we’ve grown, we’ve added new care options and specialties, and have added services to other areas in Ravalli County. Now, we’re excited to bring expanded healthcare options to the people of Darby. To be able to fulfill our mission by bringing more care services to this remarkable community is rewarding."

Currently, residents don’t have access to a broad range of health care services in Darby and often travel to Hamilton or farther; this new facility will help keep Darby residents closer to their community.

Mr. Charles Scripps, has been integral in bringing this project to fruition with his financial assistance. The Scripps family have a history of supporting the medical industry, providing funding for vital medical and research opportunities nationally. Scripps has been a resident in the Bitterroot Valley over 20 years and welcomed the opportunity to support his community by partnering with Bitterroot Health.

“It takes a combination of vision, ideas, and courageous people to make a project like this work,” said Scripps. “I give a lot of credit to Bitterroot Health's Board and Foundation Board, John Bishop, the architects, and Bitterroot Health Darby physician, Maria Hipp, to come up with a workable plan to meet the needs of our community. I'm just grateful to be a part of it. The town of Darby will benefit greatly from having this vision become a reality.”

The new, 7,000-square-foot facility will link our medical teams and patients to the latest technology and innovative resources, in a spacious environment. Featured services will include:

• Primary Care
• Urgent Care
• Physical Therapy
• Lab Services
• X-ray
• Ambulance Bay
• Coming in the future: retail pharmacy

This building is part of multiple renovation and expansion projects planned by Bitterroot Health, which has seen a growth in services throughout the Bitterroot Valley the past few years. Special attention is being paid to the design and layout of the space, so that the patient experience is seamless, convenient, and comfortable; the goal is to provide more care options to the Darby community – all under one roof.

A native of Darby, Maria Hipp recently returned to the area to deliver Primary Care services at Bitterroot Health. “The core values at Bitterroot Health align with mine which allows me to help patients live healthier, fuller lives. I love providing care in my community; coming home to practice medicine in the Valley has been one of the most rewarding experiences. Giving back to people who helped raise me is one of the most special feelings in the world.”