Valley Bank partners present a $250k check to St. Peter's Health Emergency Services team members outside the Regional Medical Center Emergency Department.
March 12, 2026
Today, the St. Peter’s Health Foundation is announcing a leadership gift of $250,000 from Valley Bank to support the purchase of a new ambulance for St. Peter’s Health Ambulance Services, strengthening emergency response and patient care across a large rural region in southwest Montana.
Valley Bank’s investment supports a broader St. Peter’s Health effort to replace two aging ambulances and acquire additional emergency equipment, critical to serving as the region’s 911 emergency medical response.
“At Valley Bank, we believe strong communities depend on access to reliable emergency care,” said Mark Anderson, President of Valley Bank. “This gift represents more than a vehicle, it represents hope, readiness and respect for the lives of the people who keep this community safe. We’re proud to partner with St. Peter’s Health to help ensure high-quality emergency services are available when every second counts.”
St. Peter’s Health Ambulance Services responds to more than 7,300 emergency calls each year, driving over 1.3 million miles annually to deliver patient care across Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson, Meagher, and Powell counties. Ambulance crews also provide on-site medical coverage for more than 120 community events each year at no cost, helping ensure public safety throughout the region.
“In a rural area as large and diverse as ours, dependable ambulance services save lives every day,” said Wade Johnson, CEO of St. Peter’s Health. “This leadership gift from Valley Bank directly strengthens our ability to continue to respond quickly and safely to emergencies, no matter where patients live. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to the health and safety of our communities.”
St. Peter’s Health operates a fleet of 10 ambulances and one response vehicle, responding from both a main station and a North Station. Crews partner closely with 19 surrounding fire departments, 17 of them volunteer, providing training and coordinated emergency response across rural and remote areas. While services are concentrated in the five-county region, teams also provide non-emergency transport to specialty care in communities such as Billings, Butte and at times, as far as Utah when needed.
“Our crews log thousands of calls each year, often in challenging weather and terrain,” said Chris Mulberry, Ambulance Manager for St. Peter’s Health. “Having modern, reliable ambulances is essential for patient care and crew safety. This new ambulance will make a real difference for the people we serve.”
Each year, more than 26,000 patients come through the St. Peter’s Health Emergency Department, including 2,600 children. Patients range in age from three days old to 102, reflecting the breadth of care provided to the community. The new ambulance funded by Valley Bank will serve thousands of residents annually and help anchor continued community support for emergency and ambulance services.