Board of Health

The RiverStone Health Board of Health sets public health policy for Yellowstone County. As the governing body of RiverStone Health, the Board is also responsible for setting RiverStone Health’s governance and organizational policy.

The Board of Health generally meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7 a.m. at RiverStone Health.

John Dorr, MD

Chair

Career: Orthopedic Surgeon for 40 years, retired in 2013; adjunct professor Rocky Mountain College Physician Assistant Program, 2013-2018; director of Education Outreach for Montana State University Billings, 2018 to present.

Year joined: 2015

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board:
I strongly support RiverStone Health’s mission of providing care for the underserved and training primary care physicians through the residency program. We need to develop a stronger mental healthcare program. I see a trend to helping patient’s manage their own care in an outpatient setting.

Steve Wahrlich

Vice Chair

Career: Owner, Best Western Plus ClockTower Inn

Year joined: 2011

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I invest my time and resources in organizations that improve our community and make a difference in downtown Billings. RiverStone Health is important to me. We need to make sure quality healthcare is accessible to everyone within our community.

James D. Harris

Secretary / Treasurer

Career: Retired from a 30 year career in hospital finance.

Year joined: 2014

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: To apply my professional background and skills in a manner that provides a positive contribution in our community, especially in support of those underserved by our healthcare delivery system. RiverStone Health is important to the overall health of Yellowstone County for its oversight and administration of public health policy, and as a key member of the regional healthcare provider community.

Spencer Anderson

Career: Yellowstone Bank Senior Vice President, MBA and CPA

Year joined: 2023

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I support RiverStone Health’s mission to improve life, health and safety in our community. I am grateful to be part of the solution in Yellowstone County through my service on the Board of Health. I am committed to thoughtfully considering and addressing countywide health issues, including working to provide effective healthcare solutions to the underserved, the economically disadvantaged and those experiencing homelessness.

Carol Beam

Career: Rocky Mountain Health Network

Year joined: 2022

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: RiverStone Health has been serving our communities for more than three decades. It provides health, education, leadership and protection to everyone in need, regardless of ability to pay. RiverStone Health’s website promises access, affordability, compassion and quality in everything it does. This is a real promise, not just words. The good work of RiverStone Health must endure and that’s where the RiverStone Health Foundation fits in. The Foundation plays a key role in RiverStone Health’s future success. Serving on the Foundation Board gives me the opportunity to ensure that RiverStone Health can fulfill its promises to everyone. We all deserve to live in a community that values health.

Brent Cromley

Career: Attorney, of Counsel, with Moulton Bellingham, P.C.

Year joined: 1998

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I’m interested in maintaining its excellent record of serving the health and health-education needs of Yellowstone County.

Deborah Davis

Career: School nurse employed by Billings Public Schools. Previously worked with Indian Health Service and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Year joined: 2021

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: The RiverStone Board of Health sets public health policy for Yellowstone County. As the governing body of RiverStone Health, the Board is also responsible for setting RiverStone Health’s governance and organizational policy.

Michael Dennis, Ph.D.

Career: Retired University Professor, Montana State University Billings, 1987-2013.

Year joined: 2003

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: Everyone in our community deserves quality, compassionate healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status. They benefit from active, progressive public health services. And they need an advocate to represent their interests in the ever-changing arena of healthcare and human services. RiverStone Health successfully meets all these objectives. I’m passionate about infant, child and adult immunization programs and anti-smoking legislation. I’m concerned for the future about the increasing disparity in access to healthcare services, especially primary care services for those most in need.

Jon Forte, MHA, FACHE

Career: President & CEO, Riverstone Health

Year joined: 2023

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: Jon joined RiverStone Health after serving as senior vice president and chief operating officer for Choptank Community Health System on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He previously spent a decade in various leadership positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Jon is a graduate of the University of Scranton, earning his bachelor of science degree in biology and a master’s in health administration. He is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives. He is certified in Healthcare Leadership for Disasters and Mass Casualty Events as a graduate of FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.

Anne Giuliano, MD

Career: Radiologist with Radiology Partners. Wound Care Specialist at the St. Vincent HealthCare’s Wound Healing Center.

Year joined: 2018

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I am committed to quality healthcare for all and I support the Mission and Values of RiverStone Health. I am very interested in public health policy and how our efforts can improve the overall health of our community.

Don Jones

Career: Experienced in small and large business leadership and management, small business owner, Yellowstone County commissioner.

Year joined: 2019

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: Interested in efficient and effective public health services.

Bea Ann Melichar

Career: Worked for the Yellowstone County Adult Resource Alliance (formerly Yellowstone County Council on Aging) for 38 years, including 31 years as executive director. Senior citizens and their wellbeing have been my passion throughout my adult life.

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Year joined: Served on the Board of Health 2013-2021. Reappointed in 2022

Why you’re committed to serving on the board: RiverStone Health serves the public health and healthcare needs of our diverse communities across the age spectrum – newborns to elderly – through a wide array of services. The years of COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the dedication of the entire staff. The variety of services that are available through the organization is essential for the health and safety of individuals and businesses throughout Yellowstone County. After nine years on the Board of Health, I continue to learn more about the amazing programs and care that RiverStone Health provides for everyone.

Lionel Tapia

Career: Physician

Year joined: 2003

Why you’re committed to serving on the board: Having an interest in health care for populations at risk, I served in the U.S. Public Health Service at the end of my residency training.

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I have been involved in community health centers in one way or another for 33 years. I continue to be convinced the community health centers provide a vital service in ways that would not otherwise happen for folks that need these services.

Casey Wheeler

Career: Post-doctoral nurse at outpatient surgery center in Billings and member of the Laurel City Council.

Year joined: 2022

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I want to represent Laurel and healthcare and advocate for patients. I am interested in improving community health and population health.

K.C. Williams

Career: Yellowstone County Director of Disaster and Emergency Services and Fire Warden

Year joined: 2021

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Why you’re committed to serving on the board: I began working in a hospital as an equipment tech in 1982 while in high school. That experience developed into a career dedicated to serving the community. I have been a registered respiratory therapist for over 32 years, a firefighter for 30 years, a law enforcement agent, EMT, hospital administrator, critical care educator, and now emergency manager. I have a passion for serving the healthcare needs of our community. I look forward to being an active and contributing participant. It is an honor and a privilege to serve.

Latest Board Meeting Agenda and Schedule

During the February 22, 2024 meeting of the RiverStone Health Board of Health, the Board acted to reschedule the Board of Health meeting scheduled for March 28, 2024.

The Board of Health will meet in regular session on Thursday, March 21, 2024 beginning at 7 am in the first-floor conference center of the Lil Anderson Center (2626 1st Avenue South Billings, MT 59101).

Any questions should be directed to RiverStone Health’s Administration Office at 406.651.6474.

The Board strives to assure all constituencies and viewpoints are considered and represented in its policy setting activities. It is responsible for fulfilling the obligations and activities of the “local Board of Health” for Yellowstone County, as that term and those duties are defined in applicable Montana statutes.

The Board of Health is responsible for developing and implementing an effective short and long term strategic planning process, including development of systems to monitor achievement of strategic goals to improve the life, health and safety of residents within Yellowstone County. This includes establishing, evaluating, and periodically modifying the vision, mission and values of the organization; assuring proper financial oversight; and legal and ethical operation of the organization.

The Board of Health is responsible for selecting, employing, evaluating and terminating RiverStone Health’s President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

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