Montana Healthcare Leadership Program Graduates 2024 Class
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2024
CONTACT: Trent Bolger, Montana Medical Association, Communications and Membership Experience Director, (406) 558-2755, trent@mmaoffice.org,
HELENA – The Montana Medical Association (MMA) announced today that ten healthcare professionals graduated recently as the 11th class of the Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program (HELP). HELP is a top-tier leadership program aimed at equipping Montana healthcare professionals with the leadership skills needed to create positive change in their practices, hospitals, and surrounding communities.
“These graduates join the ranks of 165 other top-tier alumni who occupy leadership positions across Montana’s healthcare industry,” said MMA CEO Jean Branscum. “Graduates of this program affect change and leadership in the healthcare arena and are prepared to embrace the new and emerging expectations of medical professionals and changes that lead to better patient care.”
Graduates of the 2024 program include:
- Bernadette N. Corum, M.D., the Medical Director for Tribal Health Department Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation.
- Jenifer Dodge, M.D., a Family Practice, Obstetrics, and Geriatrics practitioner who works primarily at St. Peter’s Medical Group in Helena, MT.
- Nick Lawyer, PA-C, a Primary Care and Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, MT.
- Zachary Meyers, M.D., a Family Medicine physician at Bozeman Health and a WWAMI Clinical Medicine educator for the WWAMI program in Bozeman, MT.
- Julie (Julia) Middleton, M.D., an Obstetrics and Gynecologist practicing at Billings OB-GYN Associates in Billings, MT.
- Melanie Nelson, M.D., a Pediatric physician practicing at the Southwest Montana Community Health Center in Butte, MT.
- Diane Nowak, M.D., a Family Medicine Practitioner at the St. Pete’s Medical Group in Helena, MT.
- David Park, D.O., a Family Medicine trained, Founding Dean of the Rocky Vista University – Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine (MCOM) in Billings, MT.
- Shae Saunders, M.D., a third-year Family Medicine Resident in the RiverStone Residency Program in Billings, MT.
- Steven Williamson, M.D., the Chief Medical Officer for the Billings Area IHS in Billings, MT.
Program graduates were honored during their last class and graduation ceremony at their last session in Big Fork, MT, on September 18-19th. The final session was the culmination of a wide-ranging program designed to help healthcare leaders grow to meet the various challenges Montana’s healthcare faces.
The Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program was created in 2013 by Montana physicians to help industry healthcare professionals’ step into new and emerging leadership roles and engage in vital healthcare policy discussions across the state. Participants in this top-shelf leadership program attend five sessions across Montana to learn about the state’s healthcare issues and gain critical leadership skills. In 2019, the program branched out to include professionals from the full healthcare team, providing opportunities for more Montana healthcare professionals to move into leadership roles to spearhead the development of effective patient care.
The program welcomes applicants who are passionate about patient care and want to grow their skills to have an influential impact on patient care matters. The program equips participants with the tools and knowledge to be more effective in leadership roles within their practice and the medical community and offers opportunities to impact healthcare policy. Each session will also feature learning conversations on wellness and resiliency.
The program features a top-notch faculty line-up and approach proven to enhance the leadership skills of Montana physicians and healthcare professionals and grow their knowledge of healthcare policy in Montana. Healthcare professionals interested in participating in the 2025 program are invited to contact the Montana Medical Association to request to be on the application announcement list at mma@mmaoffice.org or (406) 443-4000 for more information.
The 2024 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. Additionally, the 2024 Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program (HELP) program is also sponsored by the following organizations.
- Silverbow Medical Society
- Allegiance
- Billings Clinic
- Intermountain Health
- Northern Montana Health Care
- PacificSource
- Crowley Fleck, PLLP
- Curi
About the Montana Medical Association
The Montana Medical Association is a membership organization comprised of Montana physicians dedicated to improving patient care. Our mission is to serve our members as an advocate for the medical profession, quality patient care, and the health of all Montana citizens. The MMA is the largest physician-led organization in Montana, with nearly 1,300 members.
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