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.

Ali Brock
M.D.

Schooling: MD: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, R.I.
Undergraduate: B.A. in music performance, Goucher College, Baltimore, Md.
Residency: University of Wisconsin-Madison. Geriatric medicine fellowship: Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine
Joined faculty: 2017
Medical interests: Geriatric medicine, specifically geriatric syndromes and elder abuse/neglect, mental health, adolescent medicine and the social determinants of health
Family: She and her partner, Simon, share an adorable rescue mutt named Monkey
Outside interests: Rock climbing, exploring dog-friendly parks & trails, making delicious chocolate at home
The most satisfying part of teaching: Fostering the clinical intuition of trainees and working together to maintain a positive, welcoming learning environment for all

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.

Skye Heston
M.D.

Schooling: M.D., Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica, West Indies
Undergraduate degree: B.S. Botany and cellular molecular biology, minor in mycology and philosophy, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Residency: Hershey Medical Center Family Medicine Residency, Hershey, Pa.
Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine, Certificate of Added Qualification Sports Medicine
Joined faculty: 2017
Medical interests: Sports Medicine, dermatology, primary care
Family: Wife, Jess, a yoga instructor/social engineer/potter/painter and young son, a wild man who loves cheese
Outside interests: Hiking, snowboarding, bonsai, yoga, photography
The most satisfying part of teaching: Sharing in the excitement of the learning process and watching learners grow confident and capable

Anna Mikulic
M.D.

Schooling: MD: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore.
BA in Spanish from the University of Washington, Seattle
Residency: Cascades East Family Medicine Residency, Klamath Falls, Ore.
Board certification: American Board of Family Medicine
Joined staff: 2017
Medical interests: Full spectrum care, obstetrics, wilderness medicine
Family: Her family includes her husband, son and dog
Outside interests: Hiking, snowshoeing, cooking and knitting
The most satisfying part of teaching: When others, including patients, residents and medical students, find something as cool as I do.

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.

Linda Roers
MBA, Geriatric Educator

Schooling:  M.B.A., Gardner Webb University, Boiling Springs, N.C.

B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, N.C.

Internship, Mercy Hospital, Rehabilitation Center, Charlotte, N.C.

Joined faculty: 2016

Medical interests: Geriatric care, neurology, physiatry, menopause

Family: Patrick and our black lab, Miss Bella of Birchwood, are at home. I have a daughter in South Carolina who is married and has two young boys with a third child on the way.  I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota with my four brothers and nine sisters, most of whom still live in Minnesota, which can be a great place to visit.

Outside interests: As a retired member of the military, I am active in a local American Legion Post and help with the Warrior Run each August.  I am a mentor for Judge Mary Jane Knisely’s Drug Court, a rehabilitation program for offenders who are veterans.  I enjoy cooking, walking with Miss Bella down at Norm’s Island and the occasional hikes on the trails off of the Beartooth Mountains.

The most satisfying part of teaching: To be able to add valuable, useful skills and resources to the tool boxes of healthcare providers across the board in Montana to improve care for our older adults.

Amy Solomon
M.D.

Schooling:  M.D  St. Louis University School of Medicine, Mo.
Undergraduate: B.A. Psychology from University of California , La Jolla
Residency:  UCLA Family Practice Residency/Santa Monica
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Addiction Medicine
Joined faculty: 2018
Medical interests: Belief in care of the whole person, with a great deal of experience in integrative healthcare as well as substance use disorders, and transgender healthcare. Doing research to learn about special needs presented by individual patients.
Family: Married for more than two decades to Richie Solomon. Two college-age children studying in Colorado, plus two cats, two dogs, lots of friends and extended family.
Outside interests:  Spending time with family, going to live music and symphony performances, yoga, especially kundalini yoga, and trying new things like fishing and ukulele.
The most satisfying part of teaching: Watching students learn something new and then apply that knowledge.

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
Professional interests: Theophostic/Nouthetic Counseling, homelessness, life stories and transitions.
Family: I’m married to Anna, have three children, and two dogs
Outside interests: Road trips, exercise, hiking, sports, reading, writing, music, classic stuff
The most satisfying part of teaching at MFMR: Energetic residents, gifted staff, and opportunities to grow professionally.