FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 22 2025
Contacts:
Sean Southard, Office of the Governor
Jon Ebelt, Department of Public Health and Human Services
Joseph Theil, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
Sarah Lawlor, Carroll College
Governor Gianforte Announces $4 Million Investment to Increase the Number of Health Care Providers
University of Montana, Carroll College to fill critical health care workforce shortages
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced a $4 million investment for the University of Montana (UM) and Carroll College to support startup costs to launch Physician Assistant (PA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) doctorate programs.
UM is in the process of launching both an OT doctorate and a PA program and Carroll plans to launch a PA program.
“For far too long, Montana has kicked the can down the road instead of repairing our broken behavioral health system,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Working with the Legislature, we’re fixing what’s broken. This investment is an excellent opportunity to increase educational opportunities and expand the number of skilled health professionals working within our rural health care systems. We’re proud to partner with UM and Carroll to fill critical gaps in our workforce.”
As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission, the investment represents the next allocation of $300 million in funding secured by the governor last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health (BH) and developmental disabilities (DD) services systems.
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton said the agency is eager to move this initiative forward.
“This is another key BHSFG Commission initiative to help increase the number of PAs and OTs serving our communities,” Dir. Brereton said. “This will help reduce travel times and other barriers for rural Montanans in need of behavioral health treatment. I’m excited for these programs to launch as we work together to encourage more Montanans to enter into these fields and put their skills to work here.”
The investment in start-up costs will support UM in launching programs that will graduate 30 OT students and 25 PA students each year starting in 2028.
“This investment will give Montanan’s access to an affordable, public option to become PAs and OTs,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian. “These new pathways at UM fill a longstanding workforce need for these professionals, who are a cornerstone of our state’s mental and behavioral health system.”
Carroll officials say this funding is instrumental in advancing the development of its PA program, which will focus on training compassionate, patient-centered providers to address Montana’s critical health care needs.
With a curriculum emphasizing rural and underserved clinical placements and a preference for Montana residents, the program anticipates matriculating its first cohort of 34 students in May 2028, pending the program’s accreditation process. Carroll’s program aims to create a direct pipeline of skilled health care professionals for the state.
"This funding will allow Carroll to build upon its long-standing reputation as a leader in training health care professionals who make a meaningful difference in Montana’s communities," said Dr. John Cech, President of Carroll College. “We are grateful to Governor Gianforte, DPHHS, and the BHSFG Commission for recognizing the essential role of education in transforming health care access and outcomes for Montanans.”
PAs and OTs fill critical roles in Montana’s BH and DD continuum of care. In rural areas with shortages of physicians and other behavioral health professionals, PAs often function in primary care roles and can be the only providers in the community. OTs provide an array of vital services, including prevention and treatment services.
According to a 2022 Montana Department of Labor and Industry report, approximately 67 PAs and 33 OTs are needed to meet community demands.
On May 22, 2023, Gov. Gianforte made a generational investment to reform and improve Montana’s BH and DD services systems by signing House Bill 872 into law. A central component of the governor’s Budget for Montana Families, the $300 million investment will expand intensive and community-based BH and DD services across Montana.
More information about the commission and its work may be found here.