Hot Topic

New Staff!

Please Meet Gina Bruner - Flex Director

We are pleased to announce that Gina Bruner has accepted the position as the new director

of the Flex program. Gina will replace Carol Bischoff, who has taken a position at the

Montana Office of Rural Health with the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community

College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant.

In addition to working as a registered nurse (RN) in critical access hospitals in multiple

capacities, Gina has coordinated education and outreach programs, managed a

bioterrorism preparedness grant-funded project, and worked on infection control and

quality assurance. She has also served as the director of nursing for a long-term care

facility and most recently directed activities for the South Central AHEC here at MHA.

Gina can be reached at gina@mtha.org or 406-457-8016.

Please Meet Leslie Howe - Flex Program Manager with DPHHS

Leslie will be responsible for duties previously held by Kathy Lubke

I am excited to join the Flex Grant team. It was a pleasure meeting all of you that attended the recent Rural Health Summit and I am anxious to meet the rest of those involved with the Flex Grant activities in the critical access hospitals. Prior to taking this position I worked in another division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Developmental Services Division. I was located at the Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) Central Office. I bring many skills to my new position. Past job duties included case management, quality improvement, data tracking, writing numerous reports and policies and manuals, crisis prevention, requests for proposals, and acting as Chairperson for the Residential Facilities Screening Team. I also spent eight years as an Activities Director in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities so I can relate to being part of the care team. It is going to be a challenge learning all the new information related to the Flex grant. However, it will be rewarding to work with you as we strive to meet the Flex grant's core areas of improving quality, financial and operational improvement, and population health management and emergency medical services integration. I look forward to working with you as we promote the necessary and quality care provided in our rural health care environment.

Leslie may be reached at lhowe@mt.gov or 406-444-9519.