Harada graduates Montana health care leadership program

HELENA - The Montana Medical Association announced that Northern Montana Health Care Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Kevin Harada, hospitalist and internal medicine, Northern Montana Hospital, was one of 11 health care professionals who graduated from the 2021 Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program Saturday, Sept. 18.

"These graduates join the ranks of other top-tier alumni who are leaders in Montana's health care industry," said MMA CEO Jean Branscum. "They will make waves in the health care arena and are prepared to embrace the new and emerging expectations of medical professionals and drive change that can lead to better patient care."

The 2021 graduating class also marks the first time a pharmacist and a psychologist have participated in the program. By expanding to include the full health care team, the HELP program is providing opportunities for more Montana health care professionals to move into leadership roles to spearhead the development of effective patient care.

Along with Harada, the other graduates of the 2021 program are:

• Adrienne Coopey, D.O., psychiatry, Billings Clinic, Billings

• Dirk Gottman, M.D., pediatrics, Western Montana Clinic, Missoula

• J. Erin Hixson, M.D., family medicine, RiverStone Health Residency Program, Billings

• Leslee Kane, M.D., family medicine, Bozeman Health Belgrade Clinic, Bozeman

• Tony King, pharmacy director, Pharmacy, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, Helena

• Sara Potts, Ph.D., psychology, Partnership Health Center, Missoula

• Dierdre Strigenz, M.D., anesthesiology, Gallatin Valley Anesthesia, Bozeman

• Kristine Thayer, M.D., pediatric surgery, Community Medical Center, Missoula

• Mark VanTighem, M.D. emergency medicine, Benefis Health, Great Falls

• Stephanie Wolfe, M.D., family medicine, Bozeman Health Family Medicine, Bozeman

The Healthcare Excellence in Leadership Program was created in 2013 by Montana physicians to help industry health care professionals step into new and emerging leadership roles and engage in vital health care policy discussions across the state. Participants in this top-shelf leadership program attend five monthly sessions across Montana to learn about the state's critical health care issues and gain the leadership skills needed to create positive change in their practice, hospital, and surrounding communities.