Doctors & Staff

St. Peter’s program specialist Eric Strauss was recently named the hospital’s Director of Quality.

Strauss has been a member of St. Peter’s staff since 2010. He also worked as a project manager for The Marshall Teichert Group in Minnesota for three years and at USC Consulting in Florida another three years.

The Director earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in communication studies at the University of Montana-Missoula.

St. Peter’s Medical Staff Officers for 2012-13 were recently elected at the group’s annual meeting.  They will assume their new positions June 1.

Serving as Chief of Staff will be Pediatrician Tom Strizich, M.D., of Partners in Pediatrics. Surgeon John Galt, M.D., of Medical Park Surgery Clinic is Chief of Staff Elect and obstetrician/gynecologist Drew Malany, M.D., of Helena OB/GYN Associates will serve as secretary.

Family Physician Bill Batey, M.D., is moving his practice to St. Peter’s Medical Group North at 3330 Ptarmigan Lane, just off Montana Avenue.  He will begin treating patients at the new location on Thursday, Feb. 2.

A Miles City native, Dr. Batey has practiced in Helena since 1987.  He earned his Medical Degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at the University of Washington where he also completed his family practice residency.

For an appointment with Dr. Batey, call 457-4180.

St. Peter’s will introduce Helena’s newest doctors to the community at a social 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Hospital’s Education Center.

They include Family Physicians Andrew Gilbert, M.D.; Jonathan Griffin, M.D.; Kiley Kirksey, M.D.; Cathy Lay, M.D.; and Pediatrician Villalva Venus, M.D.

St. Peter’s Hospital Chaplain Reverend James Shelden was recently awarded the “Professional Chaplaincy Certification” by the Montana Association of Professional Chaplains after completing studies and oral examinations.

Kiley Kirksey, M.D., of Little Rock, Ark., will begin treating patients in Family Practice at St. Peter’s Medical Group North September 6. The clinic, which is open extended hours and weekends, is located at 3330 Ptarmigan Lane. Dr. Kirksey earned her Medical Degree in 2008 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. She completed a family medicine residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Area Health Education Center-Pine Bluff. Dr. Kirksey received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Dr.

St. Peter’s Hospital presented the DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses to Women & Children’s Unit Nurse Wendy Ann Clark, RN, on August 23.  Clark has worked at St. Peter’s Women and Children’s Unit since 1996.  She was nominated for the DAISY Award by the father of a young patient who was hospitalized over Easter.  The father told of how Clark hid candy and eggs around his daughter’s room.  Clark also helped the father find needed information and supported him through making difficult medical choices for his daughter.

Jonathan Griffin, M.D., of Star, Idaho, will begin treating patients in Family Practice at St. Peter’s Medical Group in August.  Dr. Griffin earned his Medical Degree in 2008, and a Masters of Science in Health Administration in 2006, both from the University of Washington School of Medicine.  He completed a family medicine residency in Boise, Ida.  Dr. Griffin also holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and communications, and a minor in chemistry from Carroll College.

Medical Oncologist Justin Thomas, M.D., will join St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center in July 2011.  He moves to Helena from Salt Lake City where he is completing a Fellowship at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

A 2001 graduate of Carroll College, Dr. Thomas earned his Medical Degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine.  He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Utah and Affiliated Hospitals.

Pete Johnson, President/CEO of American Federal Savings Bank, is the new chair of St. Peter's Hospital Board of Directors.  He replaces Tom Harlen.  Other Board officers are Patty Nelson, treasurer, and Candace Cain, secretary.