News – Sheridan Media
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With the mission of continuing to serve the community with excellent, patient-centered
care firmly in focus, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has begun exploring a strategic partnership with another well-respected healthcare system in the region – Billings Clinic.
Hospital CEO Mike McCafferty spoke to the potential affiliation in a board of trustees meeting Oct. 22, and has spent time over the last year sharing information about the evolving dynamics of the healthcare industry and challenges faced by rural healthcare systems.
Despite the challenges, Sheridan Memorial Hospital has consistently invested to meet the needs of the Sheridan community and surrounding region.
As a result, community members have access to a wide array of services including cancer care, cardiology, rheumatology, obstetrics, addiction medicine and behavioral health.
“The strength of these local services are indicative of how we have continuously chosen to serve our mission and the community,” McCafferty said.
“It’s important to recognize that the relationship we have had over the years with Billings Clinic has been rooted in shared values,” McCafferty said.
For example, in the late 1990s people traveled to Billings for dialysis care three days a week.
At that time, Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the Billings Clinic entered into a joint venture, supported by a leadership gift from the Joe and Arlene Watt Foundation, to ensure dialysis care could be delivered right here at home at the Watt Dialysis Center.
Most recently, Billings Clinic has been instrumental in the consistent delivery of radiation oncology services at the Welch Cancer Center.
“These partnerships have allowed patients the access to outstanding specialty care in their home community,” McCafferty said.
Advancing this partnership will provide both entities with a vast array of opportunities to work together to improve clinical collaboration and tap into the collective resources and innovations that can deliver high quality care in Sheridan and the connected geography.
While the timeline and terms of an affiliation have not been finalized, McCafferty noted hospital leadership has begun meeting with representatives from Billings Clinic to work through conceptual plans.
It’s important to note Sheridan Memorial Hospital is not pursuing these discussions as part of a merger or an acquisition, but as an affiliation with Billings Clinic.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital will host community forums to share information regarding the affiliation process in the coming weeks.
The forums are scheduled for:
- Monday, Oct. 27, 5-6 p.m., Community Conference Room, Primary Care, 61 S. Gould St., Sheridan
- Tuesday, Oct. 28, 5-6 p.m., Tongue River Valley Community Center, 1100 U.S. Highway 14, Dayton
- Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Big Horn Woman’s Club, 314 S. 2nd St., Big Horn
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Last modified: October 24, 2025