Located in Western Montana
107 6th Ave SW, Ronan, MT 59864

There are certain expectations that comes with exceptional healthcare: precision, expertise, and access to quality services. For many, those standards are non-negotiable. At St. Luke Community Healthcare, they are our norm. And something more is quietly present. Something that cannot be measured on a scan or captured in a report. It is being known.

For Sandy Staudenmayer, that difference revealed itself almost immediately. After moving to Lake County, she was simply seeking care closer to home. Instead, she found an experience that reshaped her expectations.

When she arrived for her mammogram in Ronan, it was not the equipment that stood out first, but the atmosphere. Warm and welcoming, unmistakably human. When she was greeted, it was with genuine presence, not hurried efficiency. 

Her technician was Dian Hickethier, a specialist with over 20 years of experience at St. Luke.

“I wanted to be more than a technologist,” says Dian. “I wanted to be an educator and an advocate.” 

As Sandy’s exam began, Dian explained each image and why it mattered. What is often a clinical procedure became an informed conversation grounded in trust. Sandy left feeling not only comfortable, but more informed about her own health. 

When Sandy was later asked to return for additional imaging, the experience felt different than in the past. She understood why follow-up imaging can be necessary and what next steps might involve. When further evaluation was recommended, she felt prepared rather than anxious.

A biopsy ultimately revealed cancer, but at an early, highly treatable stage. Because it was caught early, Sandy was able to move quickly into treatment.

“I truly believe it made all the difference,” she reflects. 

This is the St. Luke distinction.

Quality care is paired with time, attention, and accountability. It is the commitment to engage with each patient that ensures screenings lead to understanding, and understanding leads to action.

Dian’s commitment extends beyond the imaging room. She chairs Bingo for Breast Health, an annual October event that brings women together for education, connection, and encouragement. Through partnerships like Women 4 Wellness, that outreach continues across the region, helping more women prioritize annual screenings.

For many in the Flathead Valley, Ronan is just a short drive but a world apart in experience. It is a place where care meets genuine connection.

“Here, patients are treated like family,” Dian says. 

That care continues because people choose it. Those who schedule their screenings. Those who value care that takes the time to educate and connect.

If it has been a while, consider this your invitation. A simple appointment can be the first step toward peace of mind.