Dr. Joseph Nemes has been working at Sweet Medical Center since 2001.  His career in medicine started as a Pharmacist.  After serving two years in the US Public Health Service he pursued further training to become a Physician.  He obtained his medical degree from Semmelweis University of Medicine, trained two years in Internal Medicine at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA and completed residency at Marshfield Clinics in Marshfield, WI in Pediatrics. 

 

He enjoys caring for folks and meeting the challenges of rural medicine and says, I am motivated by making changes to improve care and working as a team.”

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Laura Shellman joined the SMC team in 2016. She worked most recently in Glendive before coming to Chinook. Laura earned her nursing degree from California State University (Los Angeles) and worked as a labor and delivery nurse in California, Oregon and Utah before completing her graduate work at Brigham Young University.

 

Laura has a special interest in mental health and will become additionally certified in psychiatric mental health in 2019. She said, "I look forward to adding those skills to what I can offer Chinook and the surrounding areas."

 

Outside of work and schooling, Laura enjoys living in Chinook and is focused on her family.

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Lindsay Rucinsky grew up in Havre in a farming family. She currently lives in Havre with her family. Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Montana State University Northern and her Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University. In recognition of her excellence in scholarship, Lindsay was inducted into the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.

 

She has experience in various departments, including Medical/Surgical, Intensive Care, Emergency Room, Dialysis and Home Health with Benefis, St. Vincent’s, Northern Montana Healthcare and A Plus Health Care. Lindsay joined SMC full time in 2017 and she is passionate about using her skills and education to serve and make a real difference in the area, “I’m extremely excited to be working at SMC because I get to come back to the group of people I felt were like family when doing my clinical rotation.”

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Dustin Ratliff was born and raised in Havre and received his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Montana State University Northern. He comes to SMC with seven years of experience working with individuals, families and groups. 

 

Dustin is passionate about helping others through establishing trusting therapeutic relationships and working toward making positive changes in their lives. He feels that working in mental health provides an invaluable service to those that are struggling. “I am excited for the opportunity to provide more comprehensive care to those who suffer with mental health issues. I am looking forward to implementing SMC’s treatment model as I feel that it will be very beneficial for the clients that we serve.”    

 

Dustin is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom having served in Iraq from 2004-2005 with the Army. He is very family oriented and enjoys travel and exercising in his spare time.

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Christina Hoppe, Psy.D Psychology Resident joined us as a Behavioral Health Provider in August of 2018. Born and raised in Havre, Christina went to college in Helena and graduate school in Oregon. She received her Doctor of Psychology degree from Pacific University.

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Christina has experience in a community mental health clinic, several integrated medical settings and an outpatient mental health center. She has expertise in health psychology, behavioral health integration, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing and psychological assessment.

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Christina is passionate about bringing awareness to the biopsychosocial model to health and the connection between physical health conditions and our mental health. She’s especially interested in how behavioral health and lifestyle factors play a role in sleep/insomnia, diabetes, weight management and chronic pain. In her spare time, Christina enjoys outdoor activities as well as music and spending time in the kitchen.

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