ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ

MISSOULA

NICHOLAS BOOKER, DO

Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine

I grew up in Andover, Minnesota, which is about 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities. I got my first taste of Montana when I visited in my senior year of high school to tour MSU in Bozeman and spent a week at Big Sky. I spent my freshman year at Bozeman and then transferred to Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I studied Biomedical Science and Biochemistry. I attended Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine where I found a passion for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, and it’s uses in a primary care setting. During my fourth year, I spent four weeks working in a Family Medicine clinic in Missoula and fell in love with the town, the culture, and the people. I am thrilled to be returning to Missoula and to be a part of such a wonderful community. I’m interested in broad spectrum rural medicine, preventative medicine, cardiology, behavioral health, and addiction medicine. I want build long lasting relationships with my patients and truly understand their psychosocial situations, goals and needs and implement those into an individualized healthcare plan to help them live their lives to their fullest potential.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wife, Megan, and our cats. I like snowboarding, golfing, kayaking, drumming, documentaries, and board games. I am excited to continue these hobbies and to adopt some new one’s during my time in Missoula!

ILANA BUFFENSTEIN, MD

University of Hawaii, John A Burns School of Medicine

Aloha! I was born and raised in beautiful Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, where I grew up surfing, hiking, and generally appreciating the great outdoors. I attended the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa, where I explored some of my more non-medical interests, as both an English/Film studies major and a college radio DJ. As a medical student at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, I volunteered with our Homeless Outreach Medical Education (H.O.M.E.) project in a mobile RV clinic, providing medical care to unhoused individuals around the island of Oʻahu. I had the opportunity to work in rural settings on Oʻahu and the Big Island, where I witnessed numerous healthcare disparities – particularly within our own Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. As a student, I pursued research avenues that let me continue my activism work, including projects in both abortion access via telemedicine and clinical trial representation of women and minorities. Wanting to receive more family planning training, I eventually became an abortion doula for people undergoing medication abortion.

My interests in medicine include women’s health, mental illness and substance use disorders in pregnancy, global health, and trauma-informed care. I was drawn to FMRWM because of the opportunity to practice full-spectrum rural FM, their RHEDI curriculum, and addiction medicine opportunities. I look forward to moving to Missoula and joining the lovely FMRWM mishpochah!

JULIE EGGLETON, MD

California Northstate University College of Medicine

Growing up in the sunny city of Tucson, Arizona, I spent mild winters adventuring outdoors and sweltering summers in air-conditioned museums. I happily attended the University of California, Davis where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Spanish. After enjoying work at various jobs across the state of California, I was determined to answer my true calling of medicine and was pleased to obtain my medical degree from California Northstate University. I am drawn to family medicine because of the diversity of practice, the emphasis on preventative care, and the longitudinal relationships with patients and families. I am passionate about advocacy work, reproductive health, and providing care to under-resourced communities. I am thrilled to join the FMRWM family and aim to work in full-spectrum family practice with obstetrics.

In my free time, you can find me with my spouse, Micah, and our dog, Tucker. I love photography, baking, traveling, and all outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, snowboarding, or kayaking. We are so excited about living in and exploring the beautiful state of Montana.

NEHA MALHOTRA, MD

University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia

I was born and raised in Irmo, a suburb just outside of Columbia, South Carolina. I spent my childhood running around with my two siblings (both of whom are doctors now!), flitting in and out of orchestra rehearsals, and enjoying many lazy afternoons at the Public Library. I went to college at the University of South Carolina and completed a BARSC-MD degree with focuses on Biology, Music, and Spanish. After undergrad, I matriculated to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine- Columbia. What really drew me to primary care is the opportunity to serve my community in so many different capacities. My professional interests include Women’s health, LGBTQ+ healthcare, and behavioral health. Growing up and going to medical school in the South gave me the opportunity to work with many rural and underserved populations, something that played a huge factor in my decision to train at FMRWM. Not to mention, I was very partial to the beautiful landscape in Montana!

In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, knitting, dancing, playing with my cat Pippin, and taking care of my many houseplants. I love music and anything related to Star Wars. I’ve never lived outside of South Carolina, but my cat, Pippin, and I are looking forward to embracing the lovely city of Missoula as our new home!

EMILY YOUNG, MD

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

I grew up in a Navy family moving every couple of years; the most interesting place we lived was Moscow, Russia, and the nicest was Honolulu, Hawaii. At Harvard University, I studied Evolutionary Biology, and spent summers working at Camp Cheerio Adventures, where I met my now-husband, Bill. After college I moved to rural, Appalachian North Carolina with Bill and worked as an EMT for Wilkes County and did several other part-time jobs including driving school buses and substitute teaching for our K-8 school!

We moved to Vermont in 2018 when I was accepted to Dartmouth’s medical school. The best parts of medical school were my FM clerkship in Valdez, AK at a tiny hospital run by the 3-4 Family Docs, who showed me how invigorating it is to learn to provide all emergent and routine services for your rural community, as well as completing a year-long “Schweitzer Fellowship” community service project in which I became a DONA-certified birth doula to offer free prenatal, birth, and postpartum services to under-resourced women. Additionally, several Palliative rotations and volunteering with Bayada Hospice have made me passionate about palliative and hospice care. March of M4 year was fantastic, between Matching to FMRWM and the birth of our son, Theodore!

In addition to pursuing training at FMRWM to be a full-spectrum, rural Family Doc, Bill and I are thrilled to spend 3+ years in Missoula, surrounded by incredible outdoor opportunities to pursue our interests in rock climbing, whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, and mountain biking, along with Theo and our 1yo lab-mix, Bec!

KALISPELL

EMILY BALON, MD

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Born into a working-class family in Middletown, OH (the backdrop of the #1 NY Times Bestseller Hillbilly Elegy), I was the first in my family to attend college. I was able to do so thanks to a full-tuition scholarship to Wright State University where I earned my degree in Anthropology, along with a minor in Spanish. I entered medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine with an open mind, but was immediately set on family medicine after my third year rotation in small town of 4,000 in Indiana. I loved the comprehensive nature of the specialty: I loved the prenatal and pediatric visits, the geriatric patients, the ability to practice obstetrics, the in-office procedures, and most of all, the longitudinal relationships formed over generations. Furthermore, I felt practicing family medicine was the best way to position myself to address social determinants of health and population health. I was drawn to the FMRWM due to its comprehensive curriculum and rural training opportunities. My long term goal is to practice in a small town setting where I can help fill a needed role in a close-knit community. Outside of medicine, I enjoy trying new recipes, listening to audiobooks, tending to my house plants, hiking, cuddling with my cat, playing board games, supporting local ice cream shops, going on casual outings with friends, and FaceTiming with my grandparents.

MCKENZIE KEELING-GARCIA, DO

Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born in the northwest and grew up working on my family’s commercial fishing boat in rural Alaska. I fell in love with Montana when I came here for college and always hoped to return one day. I attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Washington and chose family medicine because I loved being able to combine my many interests, getting to know my patients, and care for their whole family. I am especially interested women’s health, obesity medicine, and addiction medicine. In my spare time, I enjoys spending time outdoors with my family and friends, hiking, snowboarding, wakeboarding, river floating, and always taking the back roads. My fiancé Cody and our cat Nessa are also excited to explore all that Montana has to offer. After residency I hope to practice full spectrum frontier medicine.

CONNOR ROGAN, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I was born and raised in the rural island community of Kodiak, Alaska. After high school, I played sprint football for Mansfield University in Pennsylvania for a year before attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks and earning a degree in Biology. After college, I returned to my hometown of Kodiak and had a career as a structural welder and commercial diver. My interest in medicine began while accompanying my wife to see specialists for her chronic disease and experiencing the limitations of healthcare in our community. I wanted to serve my community in a higher capacity which eventually led me to pursue medical school. I completed my medical degree at the University of Washington, participated in the WWAMI Rural Integrated Training Experience (WRITE), and was part of the Targeted Rural and Underserved Track (TRUST). I have always known I wanted to be a rural physician, and I plan to return to Kodiak after residency. I like the breadth of scope that family medicine provides and the variability in your day-to-day practice.

I am married to my high-school sweetheart, Amy. We have two children, a dog, and a rabbit. My interests include scuba diving, hiking with my family, baking macarons, and backpacking. My family and I are excited to experience Montana!

MISSOULA

CECILIA HECK, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

Growing up, my days were spent on our small sheep farm on the Bozeman Pass. After high school in Bozeman, I continued onto Carroll College where I received a bachelor’s degree in biology. Shortly after college I was able to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, Central Africa. For two and a half years I worked in a small village developing projects focused on maternal health in areas such as malnutrition and malaria prevention. This is where my love of medicine grew into a calling, and I was able to return after my service to attend medical school at the University of Washington. I have a passion for working in rural communities and am a graduate of the Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST) at UW. In my free time I love to trail run and cross-country ski with my dog. It is a privilege to return to Montana to practice medicine in the same communities I grew up in.

I am beyond thrilled to be starting residency with FMRWM.

CHIARA LAWRENCE, MD

Albany Medical College

I grew up in Denver, CO, escaping to the mountains with my family to ski, bike, and ramble on ridgelines whenever I wasn’t on a soccer field or in a classroom. I moved to Vermont for college, where I studied neuroscience, took lots of art classes, and was spoiled with a backyard full of trails. In high school and college, I volunteered as a ski patroller and discovered my love of medicine.

During my junior year I studied abroad in Argentina through a program focused on public health, which affirmed my interest in public health. After finishing college, I worked as an EMT in Colorado before moving to Albany, NY for medical school. I soon discovered my love of primary care, obstetrical and abortion care, sexual health, climate health justice, and end of life care. I am dedicated to providing holistic care for each patient in the context of their life, alongside their families and communities, and through all of life's stages. I cannot imagine choosing anything other than full-spectrum family medicine and I feel so lucky to be moving to Missoula to continue my training with FMRWM.

In my free time I love trail running, skiing, goofing around with my friends and partner, cooking spicy foods, dancing to live music or just around my kitchen, reading (currently rereading The Locked Tomb series and On Freedom by Maggie Nelson), and taking my road bike on trails it was definitely not built for.

ANNALISE MANN, DO, MPH

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine - Arizona

I was born and raised in the mountains and rivers of central Colorado. I completed a degree in Environmental Health at Colorado State University where I fell in love with public health and interned with the Honduras Cookstove Project. After college, I traveled and worked as a medical scribe in Ferndale, WA where I grew to love the community involvement, varied nature and widespread applicability of family medicine. I attended medical school at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) where I spent three years working with underserved and rural populations of Northern Arizona. I helped found and lead the ATSU-SOMA Wilderness Medicine Club and enjoyed introducing my peers to camping, climbing, mountain biking, and skiing. My medical interests include rural full spectrum medicine, women’s health, wilderness and travel medicine, advocacy, public health and the list goes on. My husband Scott and I enjoy backcountry and Nordic skiing, whitewater kayaking, and mountain biking together. When not outside, I watercolor paint, bake sweet treats and snuggle our two kitties. We look forward to exploring Montana and joining the community in Missoula

CHRISTINE OJA, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I grew up on a cattle ranch south of Geyser, MT – a blip on the highway east of Great Falls. Upon graduating from Montana State University with degrees in Biochemistry and Exercise Science, I attended the WWAMI program through the University of Washington. During my four years of medical school, I had the privilege of being a TRUST scholar, where I was able to complete many of my clinical rotations in rural Montana. This program, as well as my upbringing, fueled my passion for rural medicine and providing healthcare in the great state of Montana. Family medicine quickly drew me in as I love the wide spectrum of care I am able to provide - from obstetrics to geriatrics. Plus, there is the added bonus of being able to work and live in a rural community. 

When I am not in a medical setting, you can find me outside with my fiancé, Pierce, and our two dogs – Bobber and Brook. We love taking full advantage of the beautiful state we live in. Some of our favorite activities include hiking, fly fishing, cattle ranching, and cross-country skiing. I am ecstatic to be able to continue my education while exploring a new part of the state and having the ability to stay close to home!

TALIA SOPP, MD

University of Iowa School of Medicine

I grew up in a hockey family in Fairbanks, Alaska. After getting a degree in physics at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, I realized I didn't actually want to be a physicist and spent a few years trying a variety of jobs, ranging from working at an addiction treatment center for teens to raft guiding. I particularly loved my job as a health insurance navigator at a neighborhood health center, and the family physicians there inspired me to go to medical school.

I traded mountains for cornfields when I started medical school at the University of Iowa. Though I enjoyed almost every specialty I rotated in, the family medicine clinic always felt like home to me. I spent 2 months in rural towns in northwest Iowa where family docs did everything from C-sections to hospice care. This fostered in me a particular passion for full-spectrum, rural family medicine.

Throughout medical school, I also developed a passion for working with people who use drugs. I volunteered regularly with our local harm reduction coalition and started a student harm reduction group to get medical students more involved. This group has now distributed thousands of doses of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal agent, saving the lives of many Iowans.

I am thrilled to continue my medical training in Missoula. As a rock climber, cyclist, and whitewater enthusiast, I am excited to explore the Last Best Place!

CASSANDRA WAMMEN, MD

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

I was born in England and raised in Mesa, Arizona. I attended Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Arizona State University where I studied genetics, cell, and developmental biology. During undergrad, I gained great fulfillment in empowering others through education by serving disadvantaged youth in Title I schools, teaching for the Arizona Department of Corrections in Florence, and serving the housing insecure population in Phoenix as a volunteer and crisis responder. After college, I was a Gilman scholar to Morocco and Fulbright grantee to Belgium where I met my now husband, Tal, who is also a former Fulbright grantee and engineer with NASA. Through Tal and many adventures at his family’s fifth generation cattle ranch in Harding County, South Dakota, I fell in love with rural life and the power of community. I am humbled to have the privilege of being a physician and received my M.D. from the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. My life experiences have cultivated my desire to practice full-scope family medicine and to be the “Jack of all trades” that my patients can count on. In the rich realm of family medicine, I am especially passionate about reproductive health, obstetrics, dermatology, and psychiatry.

I was a competitive figure skater for seven years and greatly enjoy running, cycling, hiking and swimming when outside the classroom, clinic, and hospital. I am incredibly excited to join the FMRWM and look forward to forming close bonds with my colleagues and patients. I cannot wait to explore the beautiful Montana mountains, new restaurants, and national parks with my husband and free-roaming house bunny, Chester.

ALEXIS ZIEBELMAN, MD

Tel Aviv University School of Medicine

Shalom! I was born and raised in the tiny town of New York, NY, “the greatest city in the world.” I was fortunate to grow up in a tight-knit neighborhood and Jewish community that made the big city feel cozy and small. I became acutely aware at a young age that the world was not a fair or just place, and that I had an obligation to help be part of the solution. As one who continuously seeks to learn and explore, I lived in Yafo, Israel after high school and found a home as the only American in an all Israeli gap year. I returned stateside to study history and mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania for my undergraduate degree, in the birthplace of our young nation. After graduating, I worked for a few years seasonally outdoors spending summer/fall in the intense White Mountains in New Hampshire and winters in rural Idaho. It was in these years that I fell in love with small places and cemented my desire to return to work in a rural community. I spent a triumphant and challenging 3 months hiking 1717.17 miles of the PCT before starting medical school in Tel Aviv, Israel. Throughout medical school, I enjoyed every clinical rotation too much to choose just one specialty, which naturally led me to family medicine. I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, climbing, and generally exploring all mother nature has to offer! I am thrilled to join the FMRWM mishpochah and I cannot wait to explore the amazing mountains, rivers, and community Missoula and Montana have to offer and continue my medical training in such a unique and special environment!

KALISPELL

NICOLE GREEN, DO

University of Pikeville College of Osteopathic Medicine

I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and majored in Kinesiology and Global Health at the University of Wisconsin. After graduating college, I moved to southwest Montana, where I spent the winter working at a ski shop and volunteering as a ski patroller. After three months in Montana, I knew I wanted to stick around so I started a more permanent job at a critical access hospital working as pharmacy technician. This was where I fell in love with rural family medicine. The hospital that I worked at was fully staffed by family doctors, and I loved watching them care for patients in the emergency room and manage chronic conditions in the clinic. For medical school, I attended the University of Pikeville because of its emphasis on training rural primary care doctors. In Eastern Kentucky, I continued to fall in love with rural medicine. Within family medicine, my interests include emergency medicine, women’s health, and addiction medicine. I am ecstatic to complete my residency training with FMRWM – Kalispell where I will be able to grow as a physician in each of these fields. Outside of medicine, my hobbies include backcountry skiing, mountain biking, running, and talking to my grandma on the phone. My partner, Dominic, and I are excited to explore Northwest Montana with our two goofy dogs, Shadow and Lyric.

SAMANTHA LEADBETTER, MD

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana before moving to Bozeman for college. As a student at Montana State, I worked as an intern for the Office of Health Advancement and discovered a passion for preventive care and health education. I lived in Portland, Oregon during medical school and learned that while I loved the fauna, moody weather, and proximity to the coast, I am not a big- city person and was ready to come home to Montana and be closer to my family and the mountains I love.

Family medicine became the obvious choice for me when I realized that I love seeing patients of every age and with a variety of conditions. I am particularly interested in reproductive healthcare, pregnancy care, sports medicine, end of life care, and health advocacy. I am passionate about making healthcare feel approachable for patients of all backgrounds, and making sure that my patients feel heard, seen, and valued.

Outside of work, I am an avid reader and baker, and love trying out new recipes. I enjoy spending time outside, gardening, and exploring new places.

GEORGE POPE, DO

Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Born and Raised out of the Pacific Northwest just outside of Portland, Oregon I had the pleasure of growing up exploring nature with my family. This inevitably brought us to Montana several times to take in the raw beauty of Glacier National Park and I haven’t been able to stop visiting since. I attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, Washington because it gave me the opportunity to learn while serving a rural and underserved population. I am ecstatic to be joining the FMRWM team as it will provide me the opportunity to explore all my medical interests while also letti ng me continue to try and hone my skills as a hiker, fly fisherman, skier, and want to be chef. After residency, I hope to practice full spectrum family medicine for a rural and underserved community.

MISSOULA

KILEY ADAMS, MD

University of Michigan Medical School  

I was born in Puyallup, Washington and proudly call the mountains of Washington and Southeast Alaska home! After a brief stint in the Midwest at Notre Dame as a goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team, I moved to India as a Fulbright research fellow where my work centered improving access to rehabilitation services for those with disabilities in rural
communities. I then returned to Alaska where I worked in accessible outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking, and biking with people with disabilities) before somehow finding my way back to the Midwest. At the University of Michigan, I completed both my medical degree and a Master’s in Sustainability and Development to better understand the interactions between human and ecosystem health. I am excited for a family medicine career which combines my interests to uplift community-wide health in rural, Nordic, and Indigenous communities.

Outside of medicine, I am a 4th degree blackbelt for the United States Taekwondo Federation and I love any and all outdoor adventures – especially backpacking, snowboarding, and biking! While I am thrilled to move to Missoula for the outdoor paradise it offers, I am most excited to join the FMRWM because of its clear dedication to fostering a healthy community which feels like family.

NELLIE HINES, MD

Ohio State University College of Medicine

I was born and raised in the land of crabcakes and Old Bay: Maryland. As an undergraduate, I attended Tufts University in Boston, where I majored in biopsych and minored in dance. It was during college that I fell in love with the outdoors through backpacking trips to the Green and White Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. I also met my husband in college, a Colorado native who longed to return to the west. That dream was slightly delayed by my four years of medical school at the Ohio State University. In
medical school, I spent much of my time serving on the board and volunteering at the Columbus Free Clinic. It was there that I fell in love with primary care and its ability to address the needs of the full person. During my last year of medical school, I was able to have my own panel of patients at the Columbus Free Clinic. This wonderful opportunity really showcased the gift of longitudinal relationships with patients. After completing a month-long rotation in Missoula, I was certain that this program was where I wanted to grow into the best family medicine doctor I can be.

In my free time, I would rather be outdoors than anywhere else whether that be hiking, skiing, camping, or birdwatching. I also love to cook, read, and play Dungeons and Dragons with my older brother over Zoom. My husband and I are thrilled to explore all that Montana has to offer, and I am excited to care for the people that call it home.

CLARE KELLY, MD

University of Minnesota Medical School

I grew up in Indianapolis, IN, attended undergrad in Washington, DC, and after college moved to Sitka, AK to join the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for a year of service. It was impossible not to fall in love with Southeast Alaska, the community, environment, and way of life. I stayed in Sikta for two more years during which I got to live out dreams of walking out my door and hiking up a mountain, kayaking to explore islands, and harvesting salmon for my freezer. During my time in Sitka, I had several formative experiences working with Native communities and decided to follow a training path in rural medicine with an emphasis on working with Native people. The University of Minnesota Duluth provided an education focused on training providers for rural primary care and provided education on Native American health and health systems. As a part of this training path, I got to participate in the ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔN Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) during my third year clinical rotations in Bemidji, MN. Comprehensive family medicine has always been my goal and I look forward to developing my practice honoring patients as whole persons. Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my partner, Michael, and our lovable lab mix, Finn. Particularly if that means playing outside. I love to walk, hike, camp, paddle when it’s possible, practice yoga, cook, bake sourdough breads and sweets, wheel throw ceramic pottery, knit, and generally craft or make whatever I can find. I am excited to get to live in Montana for residency with access to big open land, new plants and ecosystems, and deeply embedded rural
communities to learn from. 

MONICA MOYA BALASCH, MD

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, but have lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for many years. I was raised with a strong sense of giving back to my immediate community. This, along with my parents' love for science and learning, was the perfect recipe for an affinity towards becoming a doctor. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan. While research is vital to advancing medicine and knowledge, I realized that I truly would be happiest seeing patients and helping with their day-to-day problems. I attended medical school at the University of New Mexico where I volunteered in the many medical student-run clinics and completed my family medicine rotation at a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). It was here that my interest in family medicine was formed and deepened. More specifically, I am drawn to the behavioral health aspect of family practice and substance use treatment.

What captivated me about FMRWM were the opportunities to practice full-spectrum outpatient family medicine at an FQHC, the RHEDI curriculum, and behavioral health training opportunities. When not working, I can be found enjoying the great outdoors with my family, traveling, cooking, reading, or gardening. I am very excited to join the FMRWM familia and continue to learn from my patients and colleagues!

SOPHIA ORLANDO, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I grew up surrounded by the mountains, lakes and gorgeous Puget Sound of Seattle, WA. I couldn’t leave Mama Rainier behind and stayed in Seattle for my undergraduate education at the University of Washington where I studied public health, art history and worked to promote mental health on my campus as a peer health educator. After graduating, I moved to rural Alabama for a public health fellowship. In the small town of Greensboro, my interest in rural medicine blossomed and I developed a deeper understanding of the importance of community in shaping health. I knew I had to come back to UW for medical school to take advantage of its focus on rural medicine and primary care.

During medical school, I traveled around the WWAMI region and fell in love with Montana. I am beyond excited to continue my medical education at FMRWM. My interests in medicine lie in reproductive justice, harm reduction, advocacy and holistic, full-spectrum care.

Outside of medicine, I am a big fan of hosting dinner parties, reading memoirs, paddleboarding and boogying to live music. I’m looking forward to picking up a pair of cross-country skis, soaking in the hot springs and building new community in Missoula.

SAGE IVERSON, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I was born in Missoula, MT and grew up in beautiful Potomac up the Blackfoot river. I spent my childhood competing in gymnastics, playing cowboy polo, hunting, and going on horse packing trips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Staying in Montana was a priority, so I went to MSU where I studied microbiology and biotechnology. Through my microbiology training, I had the opportunity to travel to rural Kenya and work on public health projects for clean water and sanitation. It was there that I recognized my passion for medicine, particularly rural medicine. I was able to continue my education in Montana through the University of Washington’s WWAMI program for medical school. The physician’s I trained under fostered my passion for rural medicine and desire to serve the people of my home state, so FMRWM was a perfect fit for residency.

My husband, Josh, and I are so excited to share our love of playing in the outdoors with our daughter, Emmylou, and our cattle dog, Dally. When we’re not working, we love trail running, mountain biking, cross country skiing, hiking, and reading.

MAC TURNER, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I am from Billings, Montana (Go Broncs!) and attended Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in cell biology and neuroscience. I completed my medical degree at the University of Washington, participating in the underserved track. Public health is a passion of mine with focuses on homelessness, addiction, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ health. During medical school, I co-founded a free, interdisciplinary student-run clinic providing footcare, socks, shoes, and other supplies and services to individuals facing homelessness in the Billings area. My other medical interests include sports medicine, emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, and health advocacy.

For hobbies and interests, I enjoy volleyball, basketball, lifting weights, trail running, and backpacking. My free time is often spent exploring the mountains, sitting in the sand at MSO beach, and searching for a new spot to eat too much food with my wife. Montana is not only home, but has grown to become a statewide community full of friends and loved ones for my family and me. I am grateful to remain in my home state as well as for the opportunity to be a part of this program and the Missoula community.

KALISPELL

JOHN MICHAEL MEULI, MD

University of Washington School of Medicine

I was born and raised near Dayton Montana where my family owns and operates a cattle ranch. Prior to entering medical school, I completed my undergraduate degree at Montana State University in exercise science. While at MSU I met my beautiful wife, Rosie. I then attended The University of Washington School of Medicine as a Montana WWAMI student. I was selected to be part of the Targeted Rural Underserved Track (TRUST) and paired with the community of Polson, MT. This unique experience provided me with tools and insights into care in rural underserved areas, reaffirming my desire to practice family medicine in just such a place. I love being outdoors with my dogs, hunting, fishing, snowboarding, boating, or hiking. I enjoy playing games, everything from pickup sports to card and board games. I also love to barbecue and experiment with my pellet smoker. I feel incredibly blessed to return to western MT for my residency training as I plan to live and practice in the area.

RIDGE NAVARRO, DO

Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine—Arizona

I grew up in a small suburb just north of Chicago and attended Loyola University where I completed a degree in Biology and minored in Business Administration. My interests have always stemmed from the outdoors and I was ready to leave the city. I began my journey westward and attended medical school at Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, AZ.

I gravitated towards working with the underserved and rural communities, immediately joining my school’s H.O.M.E. (Health Outreach through Medicine and Education) program. The more I learned and experienced, the greater my passion grew for rural medicine as a whole. Family medicine always stood out to me as an amazing platform to help educate patients. It is important to me to be in touch with the community and improve access to healthcare in any capacity that I can. Within medicine, I am particularly interested in full spectrum care, wilderness medicine, preventative medicine, emergency medicine, and
global health.

Outside of medicine, I like to spend my time outdoors. I enjoy photography, hiking, camping, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and snowboarding. I am more than excited to be able to explore what beautiful Montana has to offer while completing my training with FMRWM.

ASHLEY WARD, MD

Quinnipiac University—Netter School of Medicine

I grew up in Kennett, Missouri, a small farm town in the southeastern corner of the state. After earning my degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, I spent several years working in that field, including positions as a travel writer, public affairs representative, and reporter
with the Olympic News Service.

However, family illness shifted my plans, ultimately leading me to pursue a career in medicine. After completing my post-baccalaureate studies at Washington University in St. Louis, I made my way to Connecticut and Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. I spent my entire third year in tiny Fort Kent, Maine, where I discovered my love for rural, fullscope
family medicine. I’m especially passionate about reproductive health, OB, health equity, and mental health.

During my fourth year of medical school, I had the opportunity to complete a month-long rotation in Kalispell, and I was surprised by how quickly I felt at home. Plus, after growing up on some of the flattest land you can imagine, it was easy to fall in love with the mountains. I’m so excited that I get to come back for residency, and I can’t wait to get to know the community better and explore everything Montana has to offer.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my two rescue pups, hiking, swimming, trivia nights, tackling DIY projects, and traveling when I get the chance.