Faculty

Montana Family Medicine Faculty members are affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine which consistently ranks among the top schools in Family and Rural Medicine by U.S. News and World Report.

James Guyer
M.D., FAAFP
Director

Schooling:
M.D., University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla
B.A. in Chemistry and Biology, University of Montana, Missoula

Residency: University of Utah Affiliate Hospitals, McKay-Dee Hospital, Ogden

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2004

Medical interests: Rural medicine, aerospace medicine, veterans medicine, complementary medicine

Family: My spouse, Jeanie, and I have two grown children: Chris and Danielle

Outside interests: Running (slowly), skiing-downhill and cross-country, biking with Jeanie, and tinkering.

The most satisfying part of teaching: Working with residents and faculty who teach me something every day, who are without pretense, and seriously concerned about those people who have less.

Mike Geurin
M.D., FAAFP
Assoc. Director

Schooling:
M.D., University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa
A.A. in General Science, Magna Cum Laude, Bartlesville Wesleyan College, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
M.A. in English, Creative Writing Emphasis, University of Oklahoma, Norman
B.A. in English and French, Summa Cum Laude, With Honors, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee

Residency: Montana Family Medicine Residency

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2007.

Medical interests: Graduate medical education, information mastery, diabetes care, maternity care.

Family: My husband, Rory, owns Perfect Balance Yoga and Massage, where he is a yoga teacher and massage therapist. We have a French bulldog named Buddha and a miniature schnauzer named Logan. My parents, who live in Billings, are avid RVers.

Outside interests: Nature—and photographing nature—enrich me immensely. Rory and I are never happier than when we are on a mountain trail photographing wildlife and scenery. Music has been an important part of my life, and I sing first tenor with the Billings Symphony Orchestra. Like most family physicians, I appreciate stories of all kinds: literature, cinema, and my patients’ stories.

The most satisfying part of teaching: My greatest satisfaction is working with a group of people who dream big and accomplish excellence.

Roxanne Fahrenwald
M.D., FAAFP
DIO, Faculty

Schooling:
M.D., Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Ill.
M.A., University of Colorado, Boulder
B.A., New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro

Residency: North Colorado Medical Center, Greeley

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine, Sports Medicine

Joined Faculty: 1998

Medical interests: Wellness, fitness, health improvement, full scope Family Medicine

Family: My husband, Jeff Simkovic, an attorney, and I have three grown daughters: Jessica, living in Beacon, N.Y., is a mom and community organizer; Emily, in Billings, is a mom, student and paralegal; Abigail, in Troy, N.Y. is an archivist at Union College. We have four beautiful and smart grandchildren: Hannah, Benjamin, Nahara and Shefa. The family pets include: Madison – a lab-Russian wolfhound mix; Misu, a nice elderly kitty; and Stinky, a hairy one-eyed cat.

Outside interests: Camping and exploring, travel, reading, cooking.

The most satisfying part of teaching: Seeing the residency continue to grow, mentoring and watching the residents learn about their patients’ health and lives and learning how to best help heal them, working in a unique and creative organization.

Donald Grewell
D.O., FAAFP
DME, Faculty

Schooling:
D.O., College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, Calif.
B.S. in Business Administration, University of Montana, Missoula

Residency:
Rotating internship, Parkview Hospital, Toledo, Ohio
PGY 2 and 3 Family Medicine Residency, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo

Board certification: American Board of Osteopathic Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2013

Medical interests: Executive director/CME program director, Montana Osteopathic Medical Association; President-elect: Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation
Family: My spouse, Jacquelyn, is an attorney, and we have two grown sons, Joe and Jon.

Outside interests: Hunting, fishing and ranching.

The most satisfying part of teaching: I am impressed by, and encouraged about, the new generation of physicians MFMR is training. It makes it much easier to consider retirement at some point in the future, as we are leaving the profession in good hands.

Megan Littlefield
M.D.
RSH Medical Director/Faculty

Schooling:
M.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
Undergraduate degree, Connecticut College, New London, Conn.

Residency: University of Chicago, Ill.

Board certification: American Board Internal Medicine; American Board of Pediatrics

Joined Faculty: 2011

Medical interests: Pediatrics, access to care, obesity and diabetes

Outside interests: Hiking, downhill skiing and spending time with family

Chris Baumert
M.D.

Schooling:
M.D., Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa
B.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Residency: Montana Family Medicine Residency, Billings, Mont.

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2014

Medical interests: Director, Public Health & Advocacy Track; obstetric ultrasound; diabetes group visits.

Family: My family includes my wife, Kristin, and our dog, Rory.

Outside interests: Climbing, biking, running, skiing, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

The most satisfying part of teaching: The people, the opportunity to care for underserved patients, and the ability to work for a forward-thinking organization with a commitment to quality health care for the entire community.

Garth Brand
M.D.

Schooling: M.D., Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica
B.A. in Biochemistry Biophysics and Microbiology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
Residency: Montana Family Medicine Residency, graduated in 2015
Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine diplomate
Joined Faculty: 2015
Medical interests: Addiction medicine, simulation training.
Family: Married for 5 years to Katie, we have one son, Oliver.
Outside interests: BBQ/cooking, hiking/camping, skiing, travel.
The most satisfying part of teaching at MFMR: Working with underserved patients in a Community Health Center with a focus on teaching many levels of students and residents. Running the simulation program. Working with residents to develop skills to work in rural and underserved areas.

Carla Cobb
Pharm.D, BCPP

Schooling:
Doctor of Pharmacy: University of Texas College of Pharmacy, San Antonio, Texas
Undergraduate degree: University of Manitoba-Winnipeg, Manitoba

Residency: Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice Residency, University of Texas, Austin

Board certification: Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)

Joined Faculty: 2001

Medical interests: Integrating the treatment of psychiatric disorders into the primary care setting using a team approach to care.

Outside interests: Yoga, cycling, travel, scuba diving, cooking

Emily Colson
M.D.

Schooling:
M.D., Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA

Joined Faculty 2010

Medical interests: Obstetrics ultrasound; competency based assessment; Montana State Coordinator for Tar Wars, a tobacco prevention program

Outside Interests: Running, soccer, cross-country skiing, international travel, reading science fiction and history

Matthew Giordanengo
D.O.

Schooling: D.O., Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pa.

B.S., Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.

Joined Faculty: 2015

Medical interests: Sports Medicine, nutrition and preventative medicine

Outside interests:  Montana has revived an interest in everything outside, from hiking, camping and mountain biking to kayaking. Indoor interests include jigsaw puzzles, board games, and video games.

Tanya Hamilton
M.D.

Schooling:
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, N.Y.
B.S. in biology: Brown University, Providence, R.I.

Residency: Swedish Cherry Hill, Seattle, WA

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2011

Medical interests: Group prenatal care, women’s health, hospice and palliative care.

Family: Husband Mathew and son Felix. Cats: Isis (she was named before the terror group) and Theo.

Outside interests: hiking, camping, eating, cooking, and turbokick.

The most satisfying part of teaching: Watching the residents grow into truly excellent and compassionate family physicians.

Sharon Mulvehill
M.D.

Schooling: M.D. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas.
Undergraduate degree: B.S. Nursing, Texas Women’s University, Benton.
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas
Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine
Joined Faculty: 2005
Medical interests: Ultrasound, maternity care, diabetes
Family: Four sons
Outside interests: Horses, music
The most satisfying part of teaching at MFMR: Outstanding residents who continue to challenge the faculty

Ben Phipps
M.D.

Schooling:
M.D. University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis
B.S. in biology, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Residency: Montana Family Medicine Residency, Billings

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine. Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) Sports Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2008

Family: My wife, Kelsey, and I have three young sons, Tiegan, Grayson, and Brekken.

Medical interests: Sports medicine

Outside interests: Fly fishing, archery and all other hunting, outdoor activities, plus the current project of building a log cabin.

The most satisfying part of teaching: Seeing residents and fellows light up as a concept becomes truly understood as they develop from learning professionals into real-world ready physicians.

Brian Vukelic
M.D.

Schooling: MD: University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

Undergraduate: Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.

Residency: University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine

Joined Faculty: 2016

Medical interests: Preventive care, procedures, caring for patients of all ages and backgrounds, hospital medicine

Family: My wife, Kate, and son, Bridger

Outside interests: Hiking, camping, sports, reading, travel

The most satisfying part of teaching: Watching those that you teach grow in knowledge and confidence as they become wonderful, caring providers

W. John Wessell
D. Min., LCPC, LMFT, CRC

Schooling:
D. Min Counseling and M. Min. Christian/Pastoral Counseling, Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, Ga.
Advanced Graduate Study, Counselor Education and Educational Psychology Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss.
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, Montana State University-Billings
Undergraduate degree: B.S. in Psychology/Sociology, Montana State University-Billings

Board certification: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Joined Faculty: 2014
Medical/professional interests: Theophostic Counseling, homelessness, life stories and transitions.
Family: I have three children and two dogs
Outside interests: Road trips, exercise, sports, reading, music, old stuff
The most satisfying part of teaching at MFMR: Energetic residents, gifted staff, and opportunities to grow professionally.

Mathew Westmark
M.D.

Schooling:
M.D., University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
B.A., Seattle Pacific University

Joined Faculty: 2014

Medical interests: Resource limited medicine, global/public health, ultrasound medicine, and psychiatry

Outside interests:  Family, hiking and traveling

The most satisfying part of teaching: I enjoy teaching residents how to provide compassionate quality healthcare that’s affordable for the patient.