Chris Benton, RN and Trauma Coordinator for Beartooth Billings Clinic was awarded one of two Excellence in Trauma Awards September 22 by Alyssa Johnson, State of Montana Trauma System Manager, during the annual Rocky Mountain Rural Trauma Symposium in Billings. He was nominated by Dr. Jose Ortiz.

Benton has worked for Beartooth Billings Clinic since 1996 and was designated the Trauma Coordinator position in 2008 which he continues currently. His passion for trauma care helped Beartooth gain State Trauma Receiving Facility designation and prestigious listing as a Top 100 National Critical Access Hospital in 2019. His assistance in redesigning local trauma care processes kinetically aligns with his innovative injury prevention programs. In 2014 the Slide Safe and Dress Smart Program, cocreation with Anne Kosorok, won the National Ski Area Association award for helmet injury prevention. Other programs with Benton’s influence include Stop the Bleed, fall prevention, seatbelt use, and Red Lodge Mountain Ski Patrol case review programs.

“Congratulations to Chris for his recent recognition for Excellence in Trauma – it is with dedicated effort and time invested that he has won this accolade for his contributions to the Trauma program at Beartooth Billings Clinic”, states Bridgett Chartier, Chief Nursing Officer at Beartooth.

Every Beartooth Ball has a beneficiary, and this year’s cause is as timely as it is relevant to the population Beartooth Billings Clinic serves: the expansion of its outpatient infusion services.

CONGRATS Bob and Beartooth’s beloved Mary .. well-deserved recognitions:

Colonel Bob Larson, retired, a major figure in Operation Second Chance, an organization designed to honor and help heal our wounded veterans, was awarded a Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation award by Governor Greg Gianforte who traveled to Red Lodge to make the presentation.“It’s my honor to recognize you with the 2022 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation,” said Gianforte. The ceremony was held in a packed room at Beartooth Elks Lodge #534 on Friday,Aug.11.

Earlier in the day Mary Orler was greeted by Governor Greg Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte who awarded her with the Spirit of Montana Commendation and a flag that flew over the state capital in her honor.This award recognizes Montanans for their accomplishments,dedication,and service to our communities.Orler has dedicated 50 years of nursing service to the communities and over 46 years to Beartooth Billings Clinic,Red Lodge.

Meghan (Foote) Windmueller has accepted the position of Director of the Beartooth Childrens Center, Red Lodge, and is already jumped into action to provide the best possible childcare for our area families.

The 2nd floor rehab center at the Beartooth Billings Clinic (BBC) in Red Lodge and the Joliet Physical Therapy Clinic both have a spring in their steps as a result of being the recipients of last year’s Beartooth Ball that raised $165,000 for the departments.