The St. Mary’s Health Foundation continues to make steady progress toward its goal of raising $125,000 to support the purchase of a new and upgraded CT scanner at St. Mary’s Health, an investment that will significantly enhance diagnostic care for the Cottonwood  community and surrounding region.
Since launching the fundraising initiative in July, the Foundation has raised $37,000, thanks to the generosity of individuals and families who believe in strengthening local healthcare. Most recently, the Foundation received a $4,000 anonymous donation given in memory of  Ben Detwieler, a meaningful tribute that reflects both personal remembrance and a commitment to community well-being.
CT scanners play a critical role in modern healthcare, allowing providers to quickly and accurately diagnose conditions such as strokes, internal injuries, infections, and cancers. An upgraded scanner will improve image quality, reduce scan time, lower radiation exposure, and help ensure patients can receive timely care close to home, rather than being transferred to other facilities whenever possible.
“At the end of the day, this is about taking care of our community,” said Brynn Knudson, Director of the St. Mary’s Health & Clearwater Valley Health Foundation. “Every gift helps us provide better care, closer to home, for the people who depend on us.”
The Foundation’s fundraising is part of a broader strategy that includes an application to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, a well-known supporter of major healthcare and infrastructure projects across the Pacific Northwest. The process is highly competitive, with community investment playing a key role. The Foundation has successfully partnered with Murdock in the past, including support for the Mobile Mammography Bus, and that history, along with the critical need for CT imaging in rural healthcare, makes this proposal a strong candidate with continued local support.
As the project moves forward, the Foundation is encouraged by the steady progress and the shared belief that quality healthcare matters close to home. The support shown so far reflects the strength of a community that looks out for one another and plans thoughtfully for the future.
For more information about the CT scanner fundraising effort or how to get involved, contact Brynn Knudson at brynn.knudson@kh.org or (208) 859-1324.