Cornerstone Urgent Care & Family Medicine

Expanding care for Bonners Ferry’s littlest patients

By Like Media Team

Photo by Sara Grace Photography

When Ryan and Kaite Gorman founded Cornerstone Urgent Care & Family Medicine in 2023, they had one goal in mind: to bring back the kind of medical care that feels personal. “We built Cornerstone to be a place where people can get the care they deserve: time, attention, and honesty, without interference from insurance companies,” says Ryan Gorman, a nurse practitioner dual-boarded in Family and Emergency Medicine.

Since opening its doors, the locally owned clinic has become a reliable part of the Bonners Ferry community, providing both urgent and family medicine in a warm, approachable setting. Now, Cornerstone is strengthening its commitment to local families by expanding into pediatrics and introducing the community to its newest provider, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Katie Thompson.

Families have always been central to Cornerstone’s mission, and the addition of a pediatric provider builds on that foundation. “As our patient base grew, we saw the opportunity to deepen what we already offered for kids and families,” Ryan explains. “Katie’s training and background bring something really special to our community.”

Katie Thompson, MSN, APRN, CPNP, brings a remarkable blend of expertise and compassion to her role. She began her nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), caring for the most fragile newborns, and later worked as a nurse practitioner in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. After years in high-acuity pediatric medicine, she followed her calling to serve as a missionary, providing care to children and families in underserved areas around the world.

Those years shaped her approach to pediatric care in important ways. “Katie has an incredible mix of skill, humility, and compassion,” says Ryan. “Her level of pediatric expertise is rare in a rural community, and our patients instantly feel how much she cares.” Katie is the only certified pediatric nurse practitioner in Boundary County, offering local families access to care that would otherwise require travel to larger cities.

At Cornerstone, Katie provides full-spectrum pediatric services, including newborn wellness checks, developmental screenings, school and sports physicals, and sick visits. Families can now schedule directly with her for ongoing pediatric care, supported by the same team they already know and trust. “She’s incredibly thorough and takes the time to listen,” says Ryan. “Parents tell us all the time that they feel heard and supported, and that’s exactly what we want.”

Just as important as what Cornerstone offers is how it operates. The clinic follows a direct-pay model, meaning it does not bill insurance. This model allows them to focus entirely on patient care instead of paperwork. “There’s a misconception that healthcare is expensive because of the providers,” he explains. “But the truth is, much of that cost comes from the insurance system itself. We’re seeing premiums go up across the board while families still struggle to get an appointment or an honest price. The insurance companies offer decent rates up front, then threaten to drop clinics from their networks unless the clinics agree to lower reimbursement. It’s patients who end up paying the price.”

Instead, Cornerstone keeps costs transparent and straightforward. Prices are posted clearly on the clinic’s website and in the office. “Healthcare should never be confusing or full of surprises,” Ryan says. “When families walk through our doors, we want them to know they’re getting honest care, at an honest price. That’s part of what it means to put patients before profits.”

Looking ahead, the clinic plans to expand services while maintaining its small-town feel, with goals including extended hours, additional lab testing, and continued partnerships that make healthcare more accessible to all of Boundary County.

As they continue to grow, Cornerstone Urgent Care & Family Medicine earns the trust of local families through clear communication, personal attention, and a model that puts patients first. Their approach is simple: give patients the time they need and remove the unnecessary complications from healthcare. “That’s what Cornerstone is all about: caring for families like family.”

Cornerstone Urgent Care & Family Medicine

32 David Thomson Dr.

Bonners Ferry, Idaho

208.267.3932

CornerstoneBF.com

@Cornerstone.BF

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