A National First, CMC's NICU 50 Years in the Making

When a baby is born too soon or too sick, every second counts — and every detail of their care matters. At Community Medical Center in Missoula, families across Montana have trusted our NICU with those moments for 50 years. Now, that commitment has been recognized on a national stage.

CMC is the first hospital in the country to receive a Level III with Surgery designation through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Neonatal Excellence Program. We're also the first hospital in Montana to receive any AAP neonatal designation — a milestone that reflects decades of dedication to Montana's most vulnerable newborns.

What the Designation Means for Your Family

The AAP is the leading authority on neonatal care standards in the United States. Their Neonatal Excellence Program designates hospitals that meet the highest standards for expertise, safety, and outcomes — verified through a rigorous, independent review process. Earning this designation means that when your newborn needs critical care, you don't have to leave Montana to find it.

Our 32-bed NICU — the largest in the state — is staffed by neonatology specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also operate a dedicated NICU Flight Team, made up of specially trained bedside nurses, who can safely transport critically ill newborns to our facility from across the region.

50 Years of Care, Recognized Nationally

Since opening in 1976, CMC's NICU has grown into a program families throughout Montana and the surrounding region rely on. This designation is a reflection of every physician, nurse, and care team member who has dedicated themselves to giving newborns the best possible start at life.