According to one of Heartview’s founders, “Heartview Foundation is an example of free enterprise, intelligent planning, and dedicated effort at work, meeting the challenges and opportunities of today’s most serious illnesses.”
Originally named, “The Heartview Alcoholism Treatment Clinic,” the program was established in 1963 and began operating in the fall of 1964. At that time, Heartview was the only private facility for the treatment of substance abuse between Minneapolis and the state of Washington. Prior to its establishment, civic leaders throughout the state of North Dakota recognized the need for a private facility to assist men and women in this vast region. A capital fund drive was launched, and a large portion of the necessary funds were raised within a few months of opening the clinic. Contributions came from across the state from businessmen, Jaycee chapters and many caring, generous individuals.
The Heartview Alcoholism Treatment Clinic was located in two buildings formerly occupied by the Mandan Hospital and a nursing home in Mandan, North Dakota, Bismarck’s sister city. Both buildings were extensively remodeled to remove the institutional atmosphere. Services included both inpatient and outpatient care, tailored to the needs of the individual. The original capacity at Heartview was limited to 40 patients.
The name was soon changed to Heartview Foundation and as the demand for services grew, a new building was built in the late 1970’s on a large campus overlooking the Heart River in Mandan. In the mid 1980’s, a new adolescent unit was added to the building and services began for youths 18 and under. At that time, Heartview served patients from across the United States and Canada. Heartview had a total of 91 inpatient beds, 16 of which were in the adolescent unit. Many patients were also served on an outpatient basis.
In the mid 1990’s, Heartview downsized due to financial challenges. Heartview Foundation moved to Bismarck in 1996 and provided only outpatient treatment for a short period of time. The demand for Heartview’s experienced, high-quality services quickly rebounded and Heartview purchased its current building at 101 E. Broadway in July of 2006, giving Heartview the needed space to provide a wide array of services. The decision was made by the Board of Directors to again offer residential treatment, and the new residential unit opened in November of 2007.
In the fall of 2014, Heartview was approached by Towner County Medical Center to expand its expertise and service to the community of Cando, North Dakota. Through funds provided by Dakota Medical Foundation, Heartview purchased the former Center for Solutions facility and opened a 16-bed residential unit and outpatient treatment services in August 2015.
Prompted by the state's need for easier access to medication-assisted treatment, Heartview opened its Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in 2020. In 2020, Heartview opened a second residential treatment location with 16-beds and the high-tech Mark Mahlum Wellness Center.
Heartview's Dickinson location in the old CHI hospital opened July 2023 and was made possible by a $1.6 million grant from the ND Department of Health and Human Services.
