Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust Donate $280,000 to Help Bring ICU-Level Care to McKenzie Health

November 2, 2026

Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust Donate $280,000 to Help Bring ICU-Level Care to McKenzie Health

WATFORD CITY, N.D. — The Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health is proud to announce a generous $280,000 gift from the Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust (FIB&T) to help fund the construction of a new two-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) deployment within the medical/surgical unit at McKenzie Health Hospital. 

Construction of the ICU space is now complete, marking an important step forward in McKenzie Health’s ability to care for patients with more complex and higher-acuity medical needs close to home. Staff education and training are the next phase of the project as the hospital prepares to put the new ICU capability into service.

For a rural hospital, the ability to provide a higher level of care locally can make a significant difference. Patients who require intensive monitoring or treatment may otherwise need to be transferred to a larger medical center, often hours from home. Winter weather, transportation challenges and bed availability at receiving hospitals can further complicate those transfers. This ICU will serve as a low level stepdown from regional trauma centers and a tool for patients that require it short term.

The Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust have deep roots in Watford City and a longstanding commitment to investing in the communities they serve. FIB&T traces its history to nearby Arnegard in 1910 and remains a family-owned institution today.

“Watford City has been home to our family and First International Bank & Trust for generations, and we believe strongly in investing in the people and organizations that make this community a great place to live,” said Gretchen Stenehjem, First International Bank & Trust. “Having access to excellent health care close to home is an important part of a strong rural community. We are proud to support McKenzie Health and to help make this new ICU capability possible for patients and families throughout our region.”

For the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health, the gift demonstrates the significant impact philanthropy can have on rural health care.

“The generosity of the Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust represents an extraordinary commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Lynn Welker-Fevold, President of the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health. “Their $280,000 investment is helping McKenzie Health expand its ability to care for critically ill patients right here in Watford City. In rural health care, access to advanced medical services can make a tremendous difference for patients and their families. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, generosity and continued commitment to strengthening health care in western North Dakota.”

The new two-bed ICU deployment is located within McKenzie Health’s medical/surgical unit and is designed to provide an increased level of monitoring and care for patients whose conditions require greater clinical support.

“Clinically, these two ICU beds significantly strengthen what we are able to provide here at McKenzie Health,” said Pete Edis, CEO of McKenzie Health. “In rural health care, there are times when a patient needs a higher level of monitoring and intervention, but an immediate transfer may be difficult because of distance, weather or availability at a receiving facility. Having this capability gives our physicians and clinical team another level of care we can provide right here in Watford City. Ultimately, it strengthens our ability to care for patients safely and appropriately when they need us most.”

While two ICU beds may represent a small footprint compared with an intensive care unit at a large metropolitan hospital, their potential impact in a rural community is substantial. The project strengthens McKenzie Health’s ability to respond to higher-acuity patient needs while supporting the hospital’s broader goal of providing more advanced care locally whenever clinically appropriate.

With construction now complete, McKenzie Health will focus on the staff education, clinical training and preparation necessary to operationalize the new ICU space.

“This gift is about much more than constructing two rooms,” Welker-Fevold added. “It is about making sure that when someone in our community becomes seriously ill, McKenzie Health has every possible resource to care for them close to home. That is a legacy the Stenehjem Family and First International Bank & Trust can be incredibly proud of.”

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About the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health: The Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health (the hospital’s foundation) supports programs, facilities, equipment, and initiatives that strengthen health care and improve the quality of life for individuals and families throughout McKenzie Health’s service area. Through philanthropy and community partnerships, the Benefit Fund helps advance projects that expand access to high-quality health care close to home.

For more information, please contact Lynn Welker, President of the Benefit Fund of McKenzie Health, at 307-399-4145 or lwelker@mchsnd.org.