Cornerstone Urgent Care now open

THREE MILE — An Urgent Care has opened just north of Bonners Ferry and offers family medicine, X-rays and more.

Cornerstone Urgent Care and family medicine is a faith based insurance-free clinic run by Dr. Ryan Gorman and Kaite Gorman. 

Gorman, formerly of Bonners Ferry Family Medicine, and is double board certified in emergency care and family medicine, and is a nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree. He has experience as a first responder and has worked as a nurse in a ER level 1 trauma center before coming to Bonners Ferry. 

“Everyone gets into medicine because they want to help people, but it is very common for medical people to feel broken down by the system,” Gorman said. 

The Urgent Care setting allows Gorman to blend his two loves, assisting in urgent medical situations and establishing a relationship with patients. 

“I saw how powerful it was to integrate myself into patients' everyday life with family practice, but with emergency medicine, I love the way it sharpens your focus,” he said. 

The Urgent Care allows him the best of both worlds. 

His goal for not accepting insurance is to bring back the relationship between the doctor and patient as it should be. By not taking insurance and eliminating the overhead of tracking insurance, Gorman is able to pass on more attention to patients. 

“I want to make sure a patient needs are cared for and if they are needing a specialist or referral, then I can work with them and talk about the reasons why,” he said. “I believe patients are hiring me as a health adviser, so I can help them make a good decision about their health, but I would never be forceful for treatments.”

Cornerstone also offers family medicine and can run blood work and labs as well. 

Additionally, Gorman offers low dosage radiation X-rays with quality imaging, which is available same day. Patients don’t need to have Cornerstone as their primary care doctor in order to access the X-ray service, as they accept imaging orders from other providers. 

The clinic is named “Cornerstone” in reference to Christ being the foundation. As an independent clinic, they endeavor to faithfully apply Biblical principles as they care for patients and their families. 

Future patients wish to provide excellent care at an affordable price and to make patients feel heard and not rushed out the door. 

Cornerstone focuses on transparent pricing all which are available at their website. 

“We’ve all experienced going to the doctor and paying our copay and then finding an additional bill from insurance six months later,” Kaite Gorman said. 

That is not how Cornerstone will work, rather patients have a flat rate for care. 

Patients with insurance can use Cornerstone Urgent Care, but will have to file with their insurance for a refund. Cornerstone will provide an itemized bill for insurance upon request. 

When it comes to sports physical or child wellness exams, no additional costs will be added to the office visit. 

“Children are near and dear to me as a dad, and I want to make sure kids are getting seen,” he said.

Gorman wants to partner with other medical professionals in the community and be a resource for other patients. 

Cornerstone Urgent Care plans to offer first aid classes and other health courses in the future. 

Cornerstone Urgent Care is located at 32 David Thompson Drive, Bonners Ferry, and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and offers after hour care upon appointments. 

    (right) Dr. Gorman treats a young patient.