Benefis Health System

Check out this thoughtful conversation with Benefis Senior Vice President, Kaci Husted which highlights our commitment to creating spaces that support healthy aging, well-being, and a true sense of community.

We want to thank Jim Simmons, general manager of National Laundry Co., for his nine years of service on the Benefis Foundation Board! Jim says the ripple effect of donor support hits home in our region. From the Women's and Children’s Center to the new Goodnow Healthy Aging Center, donors like him are shaping our community’s future. Read his story, and see how your involvement matters: https://lnkd.in/gP2iQrKp

Medical students and residents are learning the art of medicine under the guidance of Benefis Hospitalist Stephanie Hang, MD. Through hands-on training and mentorship, they’re turning textbook lessons into real-world care for patients like stroke survivor David Paffrath. “Time is the brain,” Dr. Hang reminds her students — and every lesson shapes the future these students will rely on. 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gnbkakA5 Touro University Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Thank you to all our veterans for your service to our country. Benefis is proud to employ and provide healthcare for veterans, and we are grateful to you today and every day! ❤️🤍💙

Welcome Michael Held, MD, to Benefis Health System! Dr. Held is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine. He cares for patients ages 9 and older with orthopedic complaints. His passion for science, the structure of the human body, and a drive to serve others led him to his career in medicine. During his sports medicine fellowship training in Detroit, Dr. Held treated athletes of all ages, from high school and college students to athletes from all four professional teams to seniors looking to maintain an active lifestyle. “Throughout their time with me, a patient should feel as though their autonomy is respected and that they have a voice in their healthcare experience,” he says. Outside of work, Dr. Held values time with family. He and his wife enjoy taking their young sons on a variety of outdoor adventures. Dr. Held’s wife is an avid snowboarder and is determined to “make competent mountain sport athletes” of her husband and children. “Time will tell who is the fastest learner.” https://lnkd.in/gZ98Rzkf

Congratulations to Maria Thom who wrapped up breast cancer treatment this month. She and radiation oncologist Carolyn Rutter, MD, encouraged women to get their mammograms and annual wellness visits scheduled. Dr. Rutter said women face challenges taking time from their busy lives for checkups and treatment, but it's important to catch cancer as early as possible for better outcomes and less life disruption. She called the support the community gives to the breast cancer fight "beautiful to see" because it serves as a reminder for women to take measures and reminds them they are not alone. "Women who know people care are the women who are more likely to succeed," she said. "We are very grateful.” https://lnkd.in/gWXyMBSw

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we want to pause and say thank you. From our Sletten Cancer Institute teams proudly wearing pink on Wednesdays, to the Great Falls Americans donating $1 from every ticket sold at their home games last weekend to Think Pink for the Girls (raising more than $2,700!), to every person who liked, shared, and participated in raising awareness for breast cancer this month, we say thank you. Behind every pink shirt and every game-night cheer are the patients we serve. Your support helps fund: Support groups and classes like the Husted Teaching Kitchen’s Cancer Symptom Management Cooking Class. Wigs and fittings at the Sletten salon for patients navigating treatment. Gift of Life Housing for those traveling far from home for care. Comfort and connection for patients who need to know they’re not alone. And thanks to our MyChart mammogram campaign, 66 people who were overdue have now scheduled this lifesaving screening! Let this be a reminder if you're due for a mammogram. October may be wrapping up, but our mission continues every day — supporting, healing, and walking alongside those on their breast cancer journey. 💗

Join us in congratulating Benefis Point-of-Care Testing Coordinator Max Mauch for recently being named Point of Care Coordinator of the Year by the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine — becoming the first Montanan ever to receive the honor in the award’s 25-year history. His colleagues describe him as a leader who improves accuracy, streamlines workflows, and strengthens teamwork across departments. Max also built a student training program that helps future lab professionals understand how point-of-care testing directly impacts patient care. Previously recognized by Medical Laboratory Observer magazine as one of the nation’s top professionals under 55, Max continues to advance innovation and excellence here at Benefis!

Welcome Nicholas Trum, MD to Benefis Health System! Dr. Trum is an internal medicine physician who provides primary care. He is especially passionate about lifestyle medicine, helping his patients embrace lifestyle changes to achieve better health. Dr. Trum’s desire to help people live their best lives inspired his pursuit of medicine. In an age of ever-increasing misinformation, he strives to offer his patients evidence-based solutions. Dr. Trum also wants his patients to leave their appointments feeling like their concerns were heard and clearly addressed. “The best thing you can do for a patient is listen,” he says. “Thoughtful communication and education are important parts of my practice.” Outside of work, Dr. Trum enjoys spending time outdoors doing things like skiing, hiking, and running. He especially loves going on a run to explore a new city. His other interests include working on cars, meditation, and resistance training.

Robert Grasseschi, MD, a pulmonary and critical care specialist, recently received the 2025 Dr. J.W. Bloemendaal Outstanding Physician Award. This award honors a physician who best exemplifies the character and the manner in which Dr. Bloemendaal, a longtime orthopedic surgeon in the Great Falls community, practiced for more than 50 years. Dr. Greg Tierney, president of System Clinical Operations, presented the award to Dr. Grasseschi. "Rob's leadership has shaped quality improvement efforts across our hospital, and during the most difficult days of COVID, he led with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication, wherever he was needed most," said Dr. Tierney. "Rob has also been deeply committed to medical education, mentoring countless students in the art of critical care, and will now be guiding our new internal medicine residents as well. His influence has touched patients, colleagues, and future generations of physicians alike." Dr. Grasseschi joined Benefis Medical Group in 2006 and has served as medical director of the Intensive Care Unit as well as medical director of Respiratory Therapy since 2009. He grew up in Conrad before earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Montana. During that time, he also spent a year doing a cultural exchange at Massey University in New Zealand. He went on to complete his medical degree through the WWAMI multi-state education program at the University of Washington, followed by an internal medicine residency in Spokane and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Oregon. Dr. Grasseschi went on to thank his wife for her support over the years, especially when the job required "challenging hours." He also thanked the physicians who mentored him during his career. He ended his speech by thanking the members of his team who have worked alongside him. "Most importantly," he said, "I've always had fantastic nurses and the best RT (respiratory therapy) Department in the state ... it makes coming to work every day wonderful." Congratulations to Dr. Grasseschi, and we thank him for his years of service at Benefis!