Lovell hospital to start an oncology unit

North Big Horn Hospital is moving quickly to fill the void created by Powell Valley Healthcare’s recent decision to close its oncology unit. During a special board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 11, CEO Eric Connell recommended immediately creating a part-time oncology position, with the expectation that it could grow into a full-time role as patient demand increases. The hospital is already aggressively recruiting to fill the position.

In a brief interview after the meeting, Connell said the approach is intentional and measured.

“We’re dipping our toe in with small, emerging strategies. If the patients are there, we’ll add more days,” he said.

Expanding local cancer care

Lovell already provides infusion and chemotherapy services, but consistent oncology coverage has long been a challenge. With Powell’s program shutting down, many Big Horn Basin residents would otherwise need to travel to Cody or Billings for treatment. Connell believes Lovell can meet the need and keep more patients close to home, especially those now desperately seeking to replace the care they previously received in Powell.

The hospital is also exploring coordination with Basin and other regional partners, noting that all of the involved facilities share the same electronic medical record system. That compatibility, he said, “keeps communication smooth and scheduling simple.”

Facility improvements
tied to expansion

Three capital projects are currently in the planning phase, with the possibility of support from the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB):

Replacing 30–40-year-old carpets and hard flooring to address infection-control concerns.

Finishing the upstairs clinic shell space, which would create six new exam rooms and expand clinical capacity.

Upgrading the cafeteria and food service area to make the space more efficient and modern.

Connell expects the flooring project to receive SLIB approval. The clinic build-out is less certain because the hospital board has already authorized the work, and SLIB often avoids funding projects that already have local backing.

Timing is a major factor. With oncology recruitment underway, the need for additional clinic space is immediate, yet the SLIB board will not meet again until February.

A growing statewide role

Connell also described North Big Horn Hospital’s expanding involvement as the licensed operator for 13 nursing homes across Wyoming, a program first launched in 2018. The arrangement brings additional federal Upper Payment Limit (UPL) dollars into the state and generates management revenue that helps support local hospital operations. The hospital board recently approved a short-term bridge loan to help partner facilities stay financially stable as they transition under Lovell’s operational umbrella.

While North Big Horn Hospital does not manage the day-to-day operations of these facilities, it provides temporary financial support during Medicaid transitions and oversees regulatory compliance through a dedicated vice president of operations.

Connell made it clear that the Lovell Hospital Board of David Winterholler, Bruce Morrison, Todd Simmons, Garret Frescoln, Brett Crosby, Pat Crumrine and Max Lewis along with the hospital’s leadership and staff, are certainly not sitting still and are actively pursuing the best healthcare services possible for North Big Horn County.