Dr. Michael Nolan receives major award

From Northern Montana Health Care

Dr. Michael Nolan, a family medicine provider at Northern Montana Health Care, has been awarded the Frank Newman Rural Clinician Leadership Award."

 Newman "represented the spirit of Montana in nearly 50 years of service to rural communities and healthcare in our state," the Montana Office of Rural Health said in announcing the award.

Nolan was nominated for this prestigious award by David Henry, president of Northern Montana Health Care.

"It is an honor and a privilege to nominate Dr. Michael Nolan for the Dr. Frank Newman Rural Clinician Leadership Award," Henry said.

Dr. Nolan is a family medicine practitioner who began his practice in Havre, on June 29, 1980.

Over the decades that followed, he has nurtured a connection with three generations of families. In the early 1990s the need for more obstetrical providers was recognized by the Havre medical community. At that time, Nolan's commitment to the community was evidenced by his willingness to return to medical school for more extensive obstetrics and surgical procedure training.

The community rejoiced when Nolan returned in 1994. In addition to his family practice in Havre, for many years, on the weekends, Dr. Nolan provided ER services to other locations in Montana and Wyoming.

Over the years,  Nolan has contributed to enhancing the health care of the Hi-Line by mentoring Students in the WWAMI Medical Program, preceptoring nurse practitioner and physician Assistant students, participating in job shadowing with other students, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees of Northern Montana Hospital and Northern Montana Health Care from 1994-2014, Henry said.

Over the years he has served as the medical director for Northern Montana Medical Group-West, diabetes education, health information management, pharmacy and family medicine.

Nolan's military career includes the United States Navy SEAL Team, Viet Nam service, the Bronze Star with V for valor, and a Navy Commendation Medal for combat actions.

"We are so proud to have such an excellent physician as Dr. Michael Nolan as part of our healthcare team. Our deepest congratulations to Dr. Nolan on receiving this award,"  Henry added.

Every year in honor of National Rural Health Day, the third Thursday of every November, the office  and Montana Rural Health Association announces the Dr. Frank Newman Rural Health Awards.

Newman was instrumental in founding the Montana WWAMI Medical School Program, the Montana Office of Rural Health, the Montana AHEC, the Montana Family Medicine Residency Program and many other programs.

He served  in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was the founder of the Wind Drinkers running club.

Newman counseled hundreds of young people interested in a career in medicine and other health professions. He was actively teaching in the WWAMI Targeted Rural Underserved Track at Montana State University, and working at the Montana Office of Rural Health/AHEC until his death at age 80 on Veteran's Day 2011.