Appreciation Page for Heart Mountain Free Clinic, Cody, WY

HMFC

Heart Mountain Free Clinic

HMFC

Ruth Edge, RN

Chair
Ruth retired after spending 24 years working as a Public Health Nurse in Wyoming, the last 10 of those years in Powell. Her areas of interest included maternal/child health, especially working with first-time mothers in the Nurse Family Partnership Program, providing health consultation to local child cares, and serving in Meeteetse in positions of school nurse and an immunization advocate for children and adults. Ruth has been involved in community health planning for over 15 years with the Park County Health Coalition, Park County Coalition Against Substance Abuse, and other coordinating organizations. She was one of the original organizing committee for Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic.

Theo Riley, PhD

Vice-Chair

After graduating from Utah State University with a Ph.D. in psychology, Theo worked as a psychologist in Montana, Wyoming and the Marshall Islands. A majority of that time was spent at West Park Hospital, Park County Mental Health Center (Yellowstone Behavioral Health Center), and private practice in Cody, WY. Theo is partly retired but continues to do psychological testing for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Since the health care environment is constantly changing, she applied to become a board member for the Heart Mountain Free Clinic to gain more information about current medical needs, to find and support ways to finance the clinic, and to use her psychology background when needed. Theo is pleased to be part of a dedicated team of volunteers who give their time and share their knowledge to serve patients in the Big Horn Basin.

Randy Feusner

Treasurer

Randy is a husband, father of four and grandfather of eight, three of which are triplets. He grew up in Powell, Wyoming. After college he lived in Billings and Missoula before returning to Wyoming, and has now lived in Cody for 18 years. He is an independent financial advisor with offices in Cody and downtown Billings. He enjoys sports, waterskiing on Big Horn Lake and flying for business and pleasure. He spends most of his spare time with his children and grandkids, who are spread out across the country between Wyoming and Florida.

Georgina Draur Hopkin, RN, MSN, MPA, PhD

Past Chair

Georgina Hopkin graduated from Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing in Omaha with an RN, where she worked in Orthopedics, Neurology, and Neurosurgery and was an assistant head nurse. She received a BSN from Clarkson College of Nursing in Omaha in 1983, and while managing a busy Open Heart Critical Care Unit, earned a Masters degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate of Specialization in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1989. In 1997, she earned a PhD in Community and Human Resources with a tract in Educational Gerontology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and was an adjunct professor of Advanced Nursing and Leadership and Management at Methodist College of Nursing for a time. In 2009, she earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Phoenix, and took several classes toward being a Nurse Practitioner from The University of Massachusetts-Boston. She is a member of Golden Key National Honor Society and the Omnicron Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She has been on several boards of directors, including Condon State Bank in Kansas, works on call at a financial brokerage firm, and owns several businesses in retail and real estate.

Richard Anderson, MD

Dr. Anderson graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1972, and completed his internship and residency in internal Medicine in Michigan. Upon moving to Wyoming, he worked on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Indian Health Services. In 1978 Dr. Anderson moved to Cody where he was one of the first two internal medicine specialists to practice. After 10 years he moved to Billings, MT where he was associated with St. Vincent Health Care. Approximately three and a half years ago he moved back to Cody and presently works for West Park Hospital. Dr. Anderson is a regular provider with HMVMC, and joined shortly after the opening of the Cody branch in 2010. Dr. Anderson has been practicing medicine for 36 years and is board certified and a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Pastor Steve Nelson

Steve is an ordained pastor serving four churches in Wyoming and employed by the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he is the President of The Hope of Survivors and an international speaker on clergy sexual abuse. Steve holds a degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences and is a Board Certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) through the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors, a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing them in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in, they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all

along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said- “It made a difference for that one.”

Design by Leah Lentz

All of our volunteers (medical and non-medical) make the clinic successful. We couldn't survive without them and our patients appreciate the love and kindness they show. Starfish awards are given to volunteers for their outstanding service and are nominated by their fellow volunteers. Starfish awards are presented by Heart Mountain Free Clinic (HMFC) to honor our volunteers with a wonderful narrative of each recipient, and a gold starfish pin and certificate.

The starfish story explains why we all work so hard to ensure every patient feels they are cared for individually:

Gregory McCue:

Dr. McCue has faithfully volunteered his time and talent with HMFC since the clinic began operation in Cody. Dr. McCue brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and good humor to the clinic. He has ridden his bike into all of our grateful hearts!

Dr. Adam Peters:

Dr. Peters has been a constant port in the storm. HMFC has been able to depend on Dr. Peters to schedule one clinic a month, no matter what! He always shows up cheerful and willing to do whatever is needed. HMFC patients are blessed to have his expertise and willingness to seek solutions to help. Thank you, Dr. Peters, for your dedication and years of service.

Natasha McColl, LCSW

Natasha's gift of time and professional experience to HMFC has been invaluable. From her care and compassion for the mental health of our patients to her thoughtfulness during board member discussions, her input and demeanor have been a blessing. We appreciate everything you've done for the clinic, Natasha!

Heart Mountain Free Clinic

Call Us: 307-272-1753

HMFC