Community Medical Center in Missoula this month named a new chief medical officer to the team, one with deep roots in pediatrics and childhood development.

In her new role, Dr. Bonnie Stephens will oversee all clinical care with a focus on patient safety, clinical quality and physician engagement. She'll also join the hospital's senior leadership team as it works to champion the LifePoint National Quality Program.

“Dr. Stephens brings more than 20 years of experience as a practicing physician, including more than 10 of those years here at Community Medical Center,” said hospital CEO Bob Gomes. “She's a well-respected physician with strong medical staff leadership experience and she's an investment in our community.”

Stephens joined Community Medical Center in 2011 and later became the medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. As one of only two developmental-behavioral pediatricians in the state, she led her team to develop the only multidisciplinary clinic in Montana for children with complex developmental and behavioral problems.

The team works with families to evaluate and treat children with developmental differences such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, genetic disorders and learning disorders.

“My goal is to not only ensure that we are providing the highest quality care, but to help make every patient and loved one who enters our doors feel safe and well cared for,” Stephens said.

Stephens was elected president of the Medical Staff for Community Medical Center in 2021. She holds an academic appointment of clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

In addition to her new role as the CMO, the Northwestern University Medical School graduate will continue to oversee clinical care in the NICU, as well as maintaining her developmental behavioral pediatrics practice.

“We are confident in her ability to pursue excellence in patient safety and clinical quality, deliver innovative clinical improvements, and be a resource and advocate for medical providers, staff and the community we serve,” Gomes said.

More From Missoula Current