New Leader Aims to Bring Affordable Care to Rural Communities

Adam Naumann steps into the role of chief executive at Greater Valley Health Center with a clear mission: to widen access for people who cannot afford insurance. He arrives after nearly twenty years in health‑administration, ready to build on the groundwork laid by former CEO Mary Sterhan. The center began in 2007 as Flathead Community Health Center, part of the local health department. In 2021 it became an independent nonprofit and adopted its current name. Since then, the organization has grown from a $5 million budget to over $26 million and doubled its staff. It now owns Sykes Pharmacies, runs school‑based clinics in Kalispell and Evergreen, and operates a mobile support unit. A new building on Third Ave. E. houses medical, dental, behavioral health and care‑management services under one roof. Naumann plans to add another mobile clinic in 2026, a move that will extend care into more remote areas. He is also looking to bring in additional providers and expand core services such as primary care, dental and behavioral health. The center has increased its patient‑navigator team to help patients navigate costs, treatment barriers and new Medicaid enrollment rules that will take effect in June.The July 4 bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will change Medicaid by tightening eligibility checks and adding work or community‑service requirements for able‑bodied adults. The federal tax cut tied to this act will reduce funding for federally qualified health centers, a concern that Naumann acknowledges. He says the clinic is preparing for these shifts and will work with community partners to address local health needs. Naumann’s background includes a Master of Health Administration and experience as system director of primary care at Union Health in Indiana. He chose Greater Valley because its patient‑centered approach impressed him during the interview process. He believes that personalized care can shift focus from treating illness to preventing it, giving patients the tools they need for long‑term health. He looks forward to summer, when his wife and children will join him in Montana. They enjoy water activities and are excited to explore the lakes and rivers of Northwest Montana.