Dr. Gillian Lavik, General Surgeon, has joined McKenzie Health and will be starting on October 2, 2023. Dr. Lavik, a native of Rugby, ND, graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2010, completing pre-medical education at Macalester College in Minnesota. Her internship and residency were completed at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY, where she served as Chief Resident in her graduate year. Her advanced skill include experience in surgical oncology, breast surgery, abdominal surgeries, and minimally invasive options for a wide range of procedures. Dr. Lavik is married with three children and enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer.

Appointments in the Specialty Clinic can be made by calling 701-444-8730.

Since 1998, Marty and Crystal Mulder have poured love and hard work into the Roosevelt Inn & Suites hotel in Watford City, and their passion has been inherited by their two daughters, Bethany Devlin and Lindsey Ybarra. On July 27, 2023, Devlin and Ybarra officially took over the Roosevelt Inn & Suites from their parents, continuing their family’s legacy in the hotel and hospitality business.

Click here to watch KFYR’s story on this family’s longstanding heritage in the hotel industry and their dedication to the Watford City community.

A portion of HWY 73, between Johnsons Corner and HWY 22, is temporary closed due to road work. The closure is from about five miles east of Johnsons Corner to the intersection of HWY 22, and a detour is in place for east and westbound traffic. The road work and closure are due to a roundabout project that began earlier this spring, which will be located at the intersection of HWY 73 and 22. The portion will be reopened in mid-September.

For more information on this road project and other projects around the state, click here.

The August Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:

McKenzie County’s June 2023 unemployment rate was 1.7%; in that same period, North Dakota’s was 2.3%.

The landfill daily average for McKenzie County in July 2023 was 103 tons; in July 2022 it was 76.6 tons.

The city sales tax distribution for Watford City in July 2023 was $407,279; in July 2022 it was $361,349.

Over the past decade, McKenzie County has witnessed significant socioeconomic and demographic shifts, including a boom in population and diversity, increased birth rates, and rising personal incomes, largely driven by a rapidly expanding oil and gas industry. This growth has spurred an increased demand for healthcare services. Due to the increased demand, McKenzie Health has expanded its offerings by building a new hospital and adding a variety of services such as general surgical, orthopedic, echocardiography, ear, nose, throat, OBGYN, and maternity services.

As the third largest employer in the county, McKenzie Health employs over 300 people and contributes substantially to the local economy. Total economic output in 2022 was $58.2 million and is projected to reach $67.8 million in 2023. Additionally, it generated $594,400 in state and local tax revenues in 2022, with an expected increase to $668,800 in 2023.

Read McKenzie Health’s economic contribution report here.