April 9, 2025
St. Peter’s Health today announced it has been designated an Orthopedic Center of Excellence from global accrediting agency DNV Healthcare. This prestigious designation means St. Peter’s has met the highest standards of quality and excellence in all aspects of orthopedic care including surgery, diagnostic services and therapies.
According to longtime St. Peter’s Health Orthopedic Surgeon and Chief of Medical Staff, Dr. Kerry Hale, earning this designation is one of the highest standards for patient safety and care in the nation. “Our team prides itself on providing high-quality orthopedic care,” says Dr. Hale. “Our continued investment in advanced training, technology and facilities, combined with our well-established collaborative care model, means we provide the very best for our patients in Helena. I am so proud of our team for earning this title – it’s one of the highlights of my career at St. Peter’s Health.”
The DNV Orthopedic Center of Excellence designation is obtained by achieving advanced certification in at least three orthopedic programs. For St. Peter’s, those programs include advanced certification in hip and knee replacements, spine surgery, and shoulder surgery. Requirements are informed by the guidelines and recommendations of organizations such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the ERAS® Society, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and relevant requirements of the CMS Conditions of Participation for Hospitals.
“Achieving this designation shows a commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “It demonstrates to your community that you are performing at the highest level.”
The St. Peter’s Health orthopedic team includes four board-certified orthopedic surgeons and a comprehensive care team, offering both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Services include joint replacement; knee, shoulder, hand, and spine surgery; trauma surgery; and fracture care. The team features distinguished specialists such as fellowship trained spine surgeon Dr. Patrick Curry, hip/knee arthroplasty surgeon Dr. Kerry Hale, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jeff Dickson, and trauma surgeon Dr. Annie Knierim. Recently, the team announced the addition of advanced robotic technology to assist in knee replacement surgeries. St. Peter’s will also welcome a new fellowship-trained upper extremity surgeon in the summer of 2025.
“I returned to St. Peter’s over two years ago because of our team’s shared commitment to patient-centered care,” says Dr. Curry, one of the top orthopedic spine surgeons in Montana. “We have continually advanced our program, and this rare designation confirms St. Peter’s as a leader in orthopedic and trauma care for central Montana. We will continue striving to provide the best for our patients, ensuring minimal pain, swift recoveries, and a prompt return to their daily lives.”
About DNV
DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions. Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.
DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies. For more information about DNV, visit www.dnvhealthcare.com.
