Gov. Gianforte Tours, Contributes Salary to Hardin Facility Combating Substance Use Disorder

Governor's Office
  • June 16 2021

HARDIN, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte this afternoon toured One Health Bighorn and contributed his governor’s salary from the first quarter of 2021 to the federally qualified health center in Hardin. One Health Bighorn serves communities in southeast Montana, including providing comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services.

“We face a drug epidemic in our state, and while there’s no silver bullet to end it, we can combat it by promoting treatment and recovery for Montanans struggling with addiction,” Gov. Gianforte said. “One Health Bighorn’s substance use disorder treatment services transform lives and rebuild families and communities. Given their successful efforts, I’m proud to support their critical mission.”

Gov. Gianforte toured the facility, meeting with providers, patients, and staff. During the tour, the governor heard stories about the work providers are doing with fathers and mothers to keep families intact. He heard directly from peer support specialists and providers about the innovative ways they are using Medication-Assisted Treatment to help individuals struggling with addiction. He also learned about how One Health is successfully using telehealth to provide services and about how it is proactively reaching out to the most vulnerable to provide them with needed support.

At the conclusion of the tour, the governor presented his first quarter salary to Dr. David Mark, the CEO of One Health. The contribution will be used to support One Health’s peer support program as well as Medication Assisted Treatment for individuals with opioid and meth use disorders.

In October 2020, the governor committed to Montanans he would contribute his governor’s salary to non-profit organizations and charities in the state.

“We’re grateful to Governor Gianforte for the tremendous and thoughtful gift. We will be using this generous donation to support the substance use disorder work we are doing and help those in our community overcome addiction,” CEO Dr. Mark said.

Founded by physician leaders in response to community needs in southeast Montana, One Health, formerly Bighorn Valley Health Center, opened in Hardin in 2012.

Based in Hardin, One Health has satellite offices in Miles City, Glendive, Ashland, and Chinook.

One Health provides a full continuum of federally qualified health care services, Medication-Assisted Treatment, outpatient substance use disorder treatment services, and mental health services in an integrated behavioral health framework.

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