Billings Clinic Internal Medicine Residency announced the fifth class of graduates of the Internal Medicine Residency program. A commencement ceremony on June 4 honored the ten physicians who completed the three-year residency and the four physicians who completed a one-year preliminary program required for future specialty residency training. The graduates are:

* Jay Brahmbhatt, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at the university of Washington in Seattle, WA.

* Conrad Addison, MD, will continue training through a Sleep Medicine Fellowship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

* Thomas Brockhoft, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at Monument Health in Rapid City, SD.

* Tya Campbell, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.

* Jennifer Eitingon, MD, will continue her training through a Palliative Care Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

* Sarah Mete, DO, will remain with Billings Clinic as the 2022 Chief of Medical Residents for the Internal Medicine Residency in Billings, MT

* James Rankin, MD, will practice as an internal medicine physician.

* Brian Reidy, DO, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT. 

* Julia Rosion, MD, will practice as a hospitalist at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT.

* Meredith Sladic, MD, will practice as a primary care physician and Billings Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Faculty Hospitalist at Billings Clinic in Billings, MT.

* Syney Asper, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.

* Travis Bailey, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training anesthesiology at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.

* Paul Harrie, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO.

* Andrew Monforton, MD, completed the one-year program and will continue training in radiology at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA.   

Billings Clinic established Montana’s first Internal Medicine Residency program in 2013. The three-year program combines education and research with practical clinical and hospital experience among a complex patient population. The residency program is designed to train internists to care for complex medically ill patients in rural environments. Training includes working in a rural community through the Rural Rotation Program. Each resident spends one month working at Central Montana Medical Center, and one month at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, an 88-bed community hospital.   

John Vogel recently joined Stockman Wealth Management as a Junior Portfolio Manager in Billings. His responsibilities include financial planning, investment account management, economic analysis, and business development.

Vogel brings over three years of financial industry experience to the position, which includes portfolio management and analysis. He holds his Series 7, Series 66 and Life and Health Insurance licenses and will be working towards the designation of Certified Financial Planner certification as well.

Vogel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Montana State University in Bozeman in the fall of 2018. He is located at 402 N Broadway and can be reached at 406-896-4853.

 Stockman Wealth Management is a SEC Registered Investment Adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Stockman Financial Corp., a family owned bank holding company serving the banking and investment needs of customers throughout the region.

Ryan Siemsen has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager for Stockman Bank Worden. His responsibilities include overseeing bank operations, management and employee supervision, and all lending activities in Worden.

Siemsen, who grew up in Huntley, brings 20 years of experience in Ag and Ag business to the position, which includes 11 years of Ag lending. His extensive background will continue to provide valuable resources not only for customers and potential clients, but for the community as well. He has been with Stockman Bank since 2018 and most recently served as an Ag loan officer for the Billings market.

Siemsen earned his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business from Montana State University in Billings and an associate’s degree in Farm and Ranch Management from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas. He is active in the community serving as the President of Young Rider Series and will continue to be involved in Stockman Bank related activities.

He may be reached at 967-3612 at Stockman Bank Worden.

After the announcement that Magic City Blues will indeed be held in Billings this summer, promoters reported being flooded with requests for tickets from all across the country.

Magic City Blues will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary with three days of perormances on August 5, 6 and 7 in downtown Billings. The urban music fest will feature Willy G, Mike Farris, Jessica Eve, Free Spirit Soul, Anthony Gomes, Keb’ Mo’, Karkin Poe, Daniel Kosel & Madrona Road, John Roberts Y Pan Blanco, Kevin Burt, G. Love  The Juice and Samantha Fish.

Music fans will be arriving in Billings for the event from Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, as well as from dozens and dozens of towns throughout Montana.

For details go to  www.MagicCityBlues.com

Dick Anderson Construction announced that Nolan Smith has been promoted to the position of Project Manager within the Billings location. 

Nolan joined DAC Billings in June 2018 and has been our Project Engineer on Northwest Pipe Fittings, Denny Menholt Nissan, Crowley Fleck renovations and will now be our Project Manager for the Laurel Fairfield Inn and Suites project underway this April.  He is noted as a very dedicated and  hard worker and is a great contribution to the Dick Anderson Construction team.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding $145,000 to fill critical trail gaps, with an emphasis on regional and community development goals. Two Montana area groups received trail grants to help build on the vision for the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail.

Yellowstone Historic Center is receiving a $10,000 Doppelt Fund grant for the conversion of a 9-mile abandonment along the Yellowstone Shortline Trail into a multiuse path from the Montana–Idaho border.

Headwaters Trail System is receiving a $10,000 Doppelt Fund matching grant to support the development of the 0.8 mile remaining to complete a 12-mile network in Gallatin County to connect the Headwaters Trail.

The cross-country Great American Rail-Trail is a project developing 3,700-mile trail that connects across 12 states between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. This year’s Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund grants are made in honor of the legacy of the late rail-trail philanthropist, Jeffrey L. Doppelt, who passed away from COVID-19 in January 2021. A member of RTC for more than 25 years, Jeff invested over $800,000 in the nation’s rail-trails, benefiting more than 40 projects nationwide.

“The RTC Trail Grants Program offers support to projects that are often not funded otherwise and are left out of traditional funding streams. These grants often fill critical gaps—both in trail development and funding—delivering returns on investment that bring lasting benefit to communities,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC. “As we mourn our good friend Jeff Doppelt, we see his legacy and vision live on with the progress we are making on the Great American and on completing trail projects large and small that have significant impact on the nation.”

A&E Design, an award-winning design firm in Billings, welcomes Tiffini Gallant to its staff as creative writer. Gallant’s advanced communication degrees from Georgetown University and MSU Billings, and broad experience writing for multiple industries make her a valued addition to the A&E Design team. She will craft copy for the firm’s five locations and diverse clientele, further aiding A&E Design in providing an array of creative services throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Adam Liberty has been named President of the Billings Catholic Schools Foundation (BCSF). He will work closely with the Board of Directors to establish long-term goals, strategies, plans and policies and serve as a liaison between the BCSF, the Billings Catholic Schools and the community. He most recently served as the Vice President of Development for the Montana State University Billings Foundation.   Liberty earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Montana in Missoula in 2013. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science from Carroll College in Helena in 2010.

Bright n’ Beautiful, the Keep America Beautiful affiliate for Yellowstone County announced that it has recognized the Liberty & Vine Downtown Billings Cleanup team, headed by Amy and Jason Pawlowski, with its Community Star Award for 2020.

The annual award recognizes those who have made valuable contributions to the beauty and well-being of Billings and Yellowstone County.

Describing themselves as “true believers in the spirit of Billings,” Liberty & Vine Country Store owners, Amy and Jason Pawlowski, converted a 1914 brick warehouse into a downtown shopping destination on historic Montana Avenue in 2018. Last January, Amy posted a video on the store’s Facebook page showing a litter-strewn Montana Avenue, describing it as “shameful” and “embarrassing” for a community as proud as Billings.

Amy and Jason resolved to become part of the solution. They established a monthly Sunday morning litter clean up event, inviting other business owners and friends to join them. Over the last challenging year, they have carried on with litter cleanups; neighboring businesses sometimes taking the lead and other organizations contributing as sponsors.

“We do believe by relying on each other and working together, we can make a difference in Billings,” said Amy.

“We are happy to recognize Amy and Jason and the Liberty & Vine team as our shining 2020 Community Stars,” said Bright n’ Beautiful executive director Joanie Tooley. “They are determined to create a better Billings with their friendly, hands-on approach to downtown problems. We are blessed to have Amy and Jason and the Liberty & Vine crew working their magic in the Magic City and we support their ongoing efforts.”

Liberty & Vine Country Store is located at 2019 Montana Avenue. The unique and inviting store offers Montana made or grown products, general goods, home decor and antiques in a sunny and uplifting atmosphere.

To join the next Liberty & Vine Downtown Cleanup, meet in the parking lot on Sunday, February 7 at 8:00 am, clean up until 10:00 and stay for delicious refreshments. Visit Liberty & Vine Country Store on Facebook or www.libertyandvine.com or call 406-534-8667.

Karen Yost has received the 2020 Agricultural Excellence Award sponsored by Stockman Bank  on behalf of the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Karen Yost is Vice President of Nutra-Lix, Inc., a family owned business in Billings serving Montana agriculture.

Yost is a member of and a past president of both Montana Agri-Women and American Agri-Women and is a member of several other agriculture industry organizations.

 This award is presented to an individual, organization or family who has made a significant impact in the local agriculture industry. Yost is a longtime advocate of the agricultural industry and was a clear and fitting choice among a competitive field of nominees, stated the Chamber’s announcement regarding her award.

Yost was presented with the award by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Ag Committee Chair Tierani Brusett of Stockman Bank, and Courtney Kibblewhite of Northern Broadcasting.

Yost will be celebrated during the Chamber’s inaugural Ag Celebration Week presented by Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative from January 24-30.

Yost has always been deeply involved in the agriculture industry. She was raised on the three generation Frank family farm in Park City, and was highly influenced by her father. She was active in the J-Quarter Circle Ranch raising and training Quarter horses and competing in AQHA horse shows and rodeos in high school, college, and into her adult life.

Yost was first runner-up to Miss Rodeo Montana in 1967 and crowned Miss Montana in 1968. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in education from Eastern Montana College, she taught for several years until staying home to raise and homeschool her children.  She established and operated “The Family Farm”, a hands-on operation intended to introduce city dwellers to life on the farm.

Yost is a member and a past president of both Montana Agri-Women and American Agri-Women and is a member of several other agriculture industry organizations. She is passionate about preserving the American rural lifestyle and focuses on urban and rural communication.  She believes that the family farm is the backbone of the country providing stability that is vital.

Yost and her husband George, along with their daughters Katie Yost and Kellie Kittelmann, own and operate Nutra-Lix, Inc., a feed supplement company George helped found in 1987. They have four grown children and eight grandchildren, are active in rodeo and team roping, and operate Yost Arena west of Billings.