The Advisory Board of the Western Montana AHEC meets two times annually to review WMT-AHEC programs and budget, speak on behalf of rural communities throughout western Montana, and discuss methods for improving access to quality healthcare in Montana. The Advisory Board has three subcommittees that focus on the fundamental pathway elements in healthcare workforce development: Career Awareness, Education and Training, and Workforce Development. 

Advisory Council Members

  • Maria Clemons, Executive Director, Northwest Community Health Center
  • Jennifer Courtney, Principal, Big Sky High School 
  • Jay Erickson, MD, Associate Dean, WWAMI
  • Erin Switalski, Program Director, Headwaters Foundation
  • Greg Hanson, MD, President and CEO, Clark Fork Valley Hospital
  • Matthew Fete, Dean, College of Health, UM
  • Debra Krantz, Regional Manager, Montana Department of Labor and Industry
  • Jen Robohm, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in Behavioral Science, Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana
  • Karyn Trainor, Providence St. Patrick Hospital 
  • Hollie Nagel, Senior Director Nursing Operations, Community Medical Center
  • Tom Gallagher, Dean Missoula College
  • Cindy Stergar, CEO Montana Primary Care Association
  • Laurel Chambers-Haskins, CEO, Mineral Community Hospital
  • Kristin Hilton, Director of Nursing, Salish Kootenai College
  • Drew Babcock, American Indian Outreach Program Coordinator, Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana
  • Sarah Gerber, Health Equity Coordinator, Missoula County-City Health Department
  • Anna Smith, Sr. Workforce Development Specialist, Montana Primary Care Association
  • Dr. Kindra McQuillian, Chair Health Promotions Practice, Salish Kootenai College

Advisory Board

Made up of representatives from the healthcare industry, education, and other agencies.

  • Promote healthcare career awareness activities
  • Advocate for high qulaity healthcare education and training for students and professionals
  • Utilize healthcare workforce data to develop strategic objectives and activities
  • Identify funding mechanisms