Celebrating 30 Years of Family Medicine in Montana
BILLINGS — A significant milestone was marked on Friday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, where the RiverStone Health’s Montana Family Medicine Residency Program celebrated its 30th anniversary. The event brought together current and former residents, doctors, and community leaders to honor three decades of training family physicians.
Dr. Roxanne Fahrenwald, a key figure in the program who took the helm for about 15 years after moving to Billings in 1998, expressed her joy at reuniting with former residents. “It’s truly wonderful to see many of our graduates come back, with some even continuing to practice here in Montana,” she shared.
The Montana Family Medicine Residency began in 1995 through a collaboration between Billings hospitals and local healthcare providers. Its mission has always been to prepare family physicians who can meet the needs of rural and underserved areas in the state. Fahrenwald reflected on the program’s vision, saying, “We wanted to show that education could happen right here in Montana, instead of relying on doctors from outside the state.”
Since its inception, nearly 200 physicians have graduated from the program. According to Dr. Garth Brand, the current program director, the number of residents per class has increased from around six to nine. Soon, with the introduction of a new rural training track, the program will welcome two additional residents each year who will spend their first year in Billings and two years in Miles City.
Despite the growth of the program, rural Montana continues to face challenges in attracting and keeping doctors. Dr. Brand emphasized, “Even though we’re training more medical doctors, we aren’t seeing them go into rural practice.” This issue reflects a broader physician shortage trend in the U.S., with projections indicating a potential shortage of over 100,000 physicians by the mid-2030s.
Fahrenwald noted that when the residency launched, many counties lacked healthcare providers altogether. “Back then, there were years where 5 to 7 counties in Montana had no healthcare at all. We aimed to make a difference,” she explained. Fortunately, about 60% of the graduates remain in Montana, making up around 14% of the state’s primary care workforce.
In education developments, Montana has also introduced new medical schools in Billings and Great Falls, hoping to keep future doctors connected to local communities. The aim is to encourage these students to build their careers in the areas where they train.
With plans to eventually train up to 11 residents per class, the program aims for growth while incorporating modern techniques, including telemedicine and new medical technologies. Dr. Brand concluded with optimism about what lies ahead: “We’re in a unique position to guide future growth in healthcare here.”
Fahrenwald added, “There’s always more work to do. It’s significantly better than before, and we will keep pushing for progress.”
