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| CARD |
| 214 E. 3rd Street |
| Libby, MT 59923 |
| Phone: (406) 293-9274 |
| Fax: (406) 293-9280 |
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CARD Staff Biographies
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Dr. Brad Black (MD, CARD Director)
Dr. Black is the Medical Director for CARD and has been a leading advocate for healthcare, treatment, and research to benefit those impacted by Libby amphibole asbestos. A pediatrician by specialty, he additionally spent 10 years as the Medical Director for the urgent care center and as an emergency room physician. Lincoln County Health Officer since 1984, Dr. Black has become dedicated to developing the healthcare infrastructure for asbestos related disease healthcare, including the planning and implementation of the original ATSDR screening program and the developing the CARD. The Libby medical community believes in the importance of the CARD for specialized care and research efforts. Dr. Black brings to Libby a level of experience, enthusiasm, and dedication that is appreciated greatly by the CARD as well as the community.
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Starr Backen (Financial Officer)
Starr joined the CARD team in December 2008. She is the Financial Officer responsible for all facets of accounting for the CARD team. She returned to college after her children were grown with the desire to work in the nonprofit area, and focused her business studies on the financial aspects of grant writing and grant management. Starr has been an active community member in San Manuel, Arizona, with memberships in several community groups and was President of the Chamber of Commerce for San Manuel. Her skills and education will bring valuable expertise to CARD in its endeavors to complete its desired mission. Starr’s accounting experiences have ranged from lumber mills to mining. She has also been a business owner. Starr and her husband returned to Libby in 2005 after a twenty year absence and live in the Bobtail area.
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Ashley Day (RRT)
Ashley is the Registered Respiratory Therapist for the CARD and has been a valued member of the staff June of 2004. She was born and raised in Libby, Montana and is a graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula. At CARD, Ashley is dedicated to quality care for patients, where she administers Pulmonary Functioning Tests (breathing tests) to the quality that they may be used for diagnosis and research purposes. Ashley is extremely thrilled to be working in her community and is enthusiastic about educating patients on disease management. She is proud to be working at the CARD with such an amazing staff that shares her same goals.
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Jocelyn Eastham (Research Assistant)
Jocelyn is one of two CARD Research Assistants. Jocelyn moved to Libby from Anchorage, Alaska in 2001. The majority of her work experience has been in the non-profit sector, where she has worked in positions ranging from Executive Assistant to Finance. Jocelyn also has an extensive background in graphic design. Her love of the outdoors has made Libby the ideal place to settle. Jocelyn also enjoys jewelry making, reading, socializing, and road tripping.
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Chris Ekstedt (Data Entry Technician)
Chris Ekstedt joined CARD in June of 2009. As the Data Entry Technician, she assists the Research Assistants in the collection of data which supports CARD research efforts. Chris has an AAS degree in Office Technology and a background in accounting, banking and library support. Chris was born and raised in Libby and currently resides in Troy with her husband and family. Family time is spent enjoying the Montana outdoors through hiking, camping, fishing and kayaking.
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Jennifer Fortner (Research Assistant)
Jennifer began working with CARD in December, 2009. She is currently one of the two CARD Research Assistants. She was born and raised in Libby. After graduating from Ronan High School in 1995, Jennifer returned to her hometown of Libby, to be with her grandmother. She has a degree in Childhood Development. Jennifer is married to Kevin, and has two daughters, Leera & Bergan. She enjoys her time as volunteer soccer coach for Leera's team. Jennifer & Kevin bass fish & hunt together, and she is known to outshoot her husband every year! Jennifer loves to camp and enjoy the most beautiful place in the world with her friends and family, and she fills her winter days snow-skiing at Turner Mountain.
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Cheryl Fox (Health Information Coordinator)
Cheryl joined the CARD team in July of 2003. She is the Health Information Coordinator, supporting long distance screening processes, medical and radiology records, Libby Asbestos Medical Plan and the Libby Medical Program (W.R. Grace) record coordination and HIPAA compliance. Her background includes Information Technology based on communications and system implementation. She brings to the team a strong desire to benefit all patients served by the CARD staff.
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Tanis Hernandez (LCSW Outreach Coordinator)
Tanis is the Outreach Coordinator at the CARD and has contributed her talents since December of 2002. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has been one of the primary individuals involved in addressing the psychological and social needs of the Libby community related to asbestos exposure and it's health impacts. Tanis was born and raised in northwest Montana and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Montana and her Masters through the Missoula campus of Walla Walla College. She moved to Libby in 2000. She has extensive experience in assisting, supporting and counseling individuals, families and communities regarding chronic health and mental health issues. Tanis also coordinates all community outreach and education activities at the CARD.
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Karen Horton (Intake and Receptionist)
Karen has been with CARD for almost year, after having moved back to Troy, Montana from Oregon. She has a son and grandson in Great Falls, Montana, and a daughter in Eugene, Oregon. Her interests include gardening, reading, playing cards, and Charlie - her Yorkie.
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Tracy McNew (Nurse Case Manager)
Tracy started at the CARD in November 2009 after moving to Troy from Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She is the nurse case manager and sees patients who come to the CARD for asbestos screening. Tracy was born and raised in upstate New York where she attended Binghamton University for her BA. She has worked as a nurse for about 10 years and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in nonprofit public administration at the University of Montana. Tracy enjoys spending time at Bull Lake in the summer, loves to swim, do arts and crafts, and travel with her family.
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Pam Roll (Patient Accounts Representative)
Pam started working at CARD in 2006 as the Patient Accounts Representative(billing, insurance, etc.) This is Pam's first job working with insurance billing. She worked at a bank before this job where she was handing out money instead of asking for it! Pam has lived in Libby most of her life, coming in 1967 with her family. She is married to Doug Roll and has one daughter, Krista. They own and operate DP Automotive. Pam and her family love the outdoors, enjoying many years of hunting, camping, fishing, snowmobiling and 4-wheeling. They all agree it's been a great place to live.
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Kimberly Rowse (RN Clinical Coordinator)
Kimberly began her position as Clinical Coordinator at CARD in mid-July of 2004. She brings with her over fourteen years of clinical experience in a variety of capacities, including nine years of administration. Kimberly's clinical expertise includes many years as a critical care nurse and brings an established network of professional resources through her work experiences. Kimberly's professional experience includes grant writing, start-up and program development including the implementation and maintenance of clinical programs that ensure quality care for patients. Not only is Kimberly the Clinical Coordinator, she also is the primary Clinical Nurse who provides day-to-day services for patients. Kimberly and her husband Peter, who is a family nurse practitioner in the Libby community, have lived in the area for over ten years and make their home in the Yaak.
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Mark Smith (Respiratory Therapist)
Mark has been at CARD since May of 2009, and in Libby since Christmas of 2006. He administers the pulmonary function tests, and performs many duties related to respiratory medications and oximetry. He enjoys the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Outside of his job, he and his family enjoy camping, hiking, hunting and exploring mountain roads. He is also involved in his church.
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Linda Storkson (RMA/RPT)
Linda joined the CARD Clinic in June of 2007 as a Registered Medical Assistant and a Registered Phlebotomy Technician a person specialized in drawing blood. After completing school in Colorado and doing her externship at an Allergy & Asthma clinic she moved back to share her medical training with the community and expand her medical knowledge. Linda is married and has one daughter, Elizabeth. In her spare time, Linda enjoys camping, fishing, hiking and collecting coins with her family.
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Dr. Alan Whitehouse (MD FCCP)
Dr. Whitehouse is a board-certified chest physician who has maintained a private practice of pulmonary medicine in Spokane, Washington for 36 years. His experience in the evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of individuals exposed to Libby amphibole asbestos lends recognition that he offers key expertise in research activities. For five years, up until he joined CARD in January of 2005, Dr. Whitehouse served as CARD's primary consultant and provided essential support for the clinic's development. He has seen Libby patients for nearly 20 years. Dr. Whitehouse has retired, but still serves as a consulting Pulmonologist to CARD. He is a highly respected member of the CARD staff, as well as the Libby community.
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Betty Jo Wood (Development Officer)
In May 2007, Betty Jo joined CARD as the Development Officer. Her role at CARD focuses on diversifying CARD's funding through grant writing, foundation development, and community outreach which are critical for CARD to expand research activities and services to patients. After graduating from Gonzaga University, Betty Jo returned to her hometown with her husband Scott Beagle, another ”Libby kid“. She enjoys singing, playing tennis, and interior design, but her favorite pastime is spending as much time as possible with her two sons and the rest of her family.
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Jason Vick (IT Administrator)
Jason joined the CARD staff in June of 2009 to support CARD's ever-expanding Technology needs. He has a Management Information Systems (MIS) degree from Auburn University of Alabama, and many years experience supporting and consulting in the IT industry. He moved from Alabama to Colorado to be near the Rocky Mountains… then moved to Libby to enjoy mountains in one of the last remaining wilderness areas of the USA. Though he cannot claim to be native-born to Libby, he certainly understands Libby's pride its town and its quality of life in the shadow of the Cabinet Mountains.
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