montana health care leadership program graduates 2021 class; recruitment open for 2022

The Montana Medical Association (MMA) announced today that 11 health care professionals graduated from the 2021 Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program (HELP) on Saturday, September 18.

“These graduates join the ranks of other top-tier alumni who are leaders in Montana’s health care industry,” said MMA CEO Jean Branscum. “They will make waves in the health care arena and are prepared to embrace the new and emerging expectations of medical professionals and drive change that can lead to better patient care.”

The 2021 graduating class marks the first time a pharmacist and a psychologist have participated in the program. By expanding to include the full health care team, the HELP program is providing opportunities for more Montana health care professionals to move into leadership roles to spearhead the development of effective patient care.

Graduates of the 2021 program include:

Adrienne Coopey, D.O., Psychiatry, Billings Clinic, Billings
Dirk Gottman, M.D., Pediatrics, Western Montana Clinic, Missoula
Kevin Harada, M.D., Hospitalist & Internal Medicine, Northern Montana Hospital, Havre
J. Erin Hixson, M.D., Family Medicine, RiverStone Health Residency Program, Billings
Leslee Kane, M.D., Family Medicine, Bozeman Health Belgrade Clinic, Bozeman
Tony King, Pharmacy Director, Pharmacy, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, Helena
Sara Potts, Ph.D., Psychology, Partnership Health Center, Missoula
Dierdre Strigenz, M.D., Anesthesiology, Gallatin Valley Anesthesia, Bozeman
Kristine Thayer, M.D., Pediatric Surgery, Community Medical Center, Missoula
Mark VanTighem, M.D. Emergency Medicine, Benefis Health, Great Falls
Stephanie Wolfe, M.D., Family Medicine, Bozeman Health Family Medicine, Bozeman

The Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program was created in 2013 by Montana physicians to help industry health care professionals step into new and emerging leadership roles and engage in vital health care policy discussions across the state. Participants in this top-shelf leadership program attend five monthly sessions across Montana to learn about the state’s critical health care issues and gain the leadership skills needed to create positive change in their practice, hospital, and surrounding communities.

Over 130 physicians and other health care professionals have participated in the leadership program’s first seven years. Past participants have accepted top leadership roles in Montana health care institutions and received multiple industry awards, including the MMA’s Legacy of Leadership Award. The 2021 Legacy of Leadership Award was presented to 2018 HELP graduate Sarah F. Morgan, M.D., of Bozeman.

The program was developed through the support of the MMA Foundation and grants provided by The Physicians Foundation, a national non-profit organization that seeks to advance the work of practicing physicians and helps facilitate the delivery of health care to patients. The MMA Foundation supports physician education in Montana.

For more information or to provide sponsorship for this program, contact the Montana Medical Association at mma@mmaoffice.org or (406) 443-4000.