Great Falls cardiac program earns top honor in Montana’s largest reader-choice competition, which drew a record 134,749 nominations and votes
Great Falls Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center has been voted the Best Heart Center in Montana for 2026 in Distinctly Montana magazine’s annual Best of Montana competition, the largest reader-choice awards program in the state.
The win comes in a record-setting year. Montanans and visitors cast 134,749 nominations and votes across the 2026 contest, the highest participation in the program’s history. Winners are determined entirely by public vote. There is no judging panel, and placement cannot be purchased.
“Every day, our physicians, nurses, technologists, rehabilitation specialists and support teams work together to help patients live healthier lives and return to the people and activities they love,” said Ned Hill, Market CEO of Great Falls Hospital. “To be recognized by the people of Montana in this way is incredibly meaningful because it reflects the trust our patients place in us and the dedication of our entire team.”
Great Falls Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center serves patients throughout North Central Montana, providing comprehensive cardiovascular care from prevention and diagnostics to advanced treatment, interventional cardiology, vascular services, cardiac rehabilitation and ongoing heart health management. The program is known for bringing high-quality heart care close to home for Montana families.
“At Great Falls Hospital, we have built a cardiovascular program centered on clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care,” said Dr. Simon Maltais, Medical Director of Cardiovascular Services and Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Great Falls Hospital. “This award is a testament to the skill and dedication of our physicians, nurses, technologists and support staff, as well as the trust our patients place in us every day. We are honored to be recognized by the people of Montana as the state’s Best Heart Center.”
“Great Falls Hospital earned this one patient at a time,” said Joseph Shelton, editor-in-chief of Distinctly Montana. “In a contest decided entirely by public vote, finishing first in your category means your community showed up for you in a way that cannot be manufactured.”
As a 2026 category winner, Great Falls Hospital Heart & Vascular Center is featured in the Best of Montana special section of Distinctly Montana’s Fall issue, published September 15 and distributed to 70,000 print and digital readers statewide.
Great Falls Hospital is located at 3010 15th Avenue South in Great Falls and online at gfclinic.com.
About Great Falls Hospital Heart & Vascular Center
Great Falls Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Center provides cardiovascular and vascular care for patients across North Central Montana. The program offers preventive care, diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology services, vascular care, cardiac rehabilitation and long-term heart health management. As part of Great Falls Hospital, the Heart & Vascular Center is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home.
Proudly serving the Central Montana community since 1917, the Great Falls Clinic got its humble beginnings when four medical leaders came together to create the state’s first group medical practice with only five specialties. Over one century later the Great Falls Clinic has multiplied in size ten times over with specialties ranging from primary and pediatric care to emergency medicine and a diverse surgery team. Local and international medical staffers strive to provide the best health care to the community. The Clinic is committed to delivering compassionate and personalized care to all who choose the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital as their preferred healthcare network.
As a provider-led organization, the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital stays ahead of the curve by incorporating the latest technology and methodology into everyday practices; most importantly, the Clinic prioritizes teamwork and looks to recruit outstanding staff members who embody this value to provide the treatment and care the community deserves.
Distinctly Montana is Montana’s only statewide magazine, published quarterly since 2002. Each issue reaches 70,000 readers, 20,000 in print and 50,000 digital, for 280,000 issues distributed annually. The magazine reaches an additional 305,300 followers across Facebook and Instagram, 50,000 email subscribers, and an average of 50,000 website visits a month. Distinctly Montana holds advertising to 35% of each issue so readers get substantially more content than advertising.
Best of Montana is Distinctly Montana’s annual reader-choice awards program and the largest of its kind in the state. Each spring, readers nominate businesses across hundreds of categories; the top five nominees in each category advance to a statewide vote over the summer. The 2026 contest drew a record 134,749 nominations and votes. Roughly 1,000 Montana businesses earn winner or Elite Top Three recognition each year. Results are determined 100% by public vote and placement cannot be bought.