The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Big Sandy Medical Center has been in the community since 1965. Over that time the staff, the services, and the look of the facility have changed greatly. Today, BSMC is a 22-bed Critical Access Hospital, serving Long-Term Care, Swing Bed and Inpatient needs, as well as a Rural Health Clinic. Physical Therapy is also offered through Strutz On Physical Therapy. The patients at the facility are cared for by two mid-level providers, Krystyl Kulbeck, PA-C, and Zane Bendig, NP-C. The Medical Director, Dr. Carley Robertson, oversees all care here and makes weekly visits to check-in. Each of our providers and all of our staff works closely together to serve each patient that comes through the door.

We do offer a wide variety of health care services and opportunities for the community. Zane and Krystyl are always accepting new patients; and they are happy to provide the following services: sick visits, annuals/physicals, sports physicals, DOT physicals, well-child checks, allergy shots and/or scheduled medication injections (such as a routine B12 or Prolia injections). Procedures such as sutures (stitches) or staples, as well as, removal of moles or warts, or joint injections for pain. They can help with weight and dietary management, as well as hormone management (estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, etc). If you're not sure if a service or procedure can be performed at the Clinic, simply ask! More than likely Krystyl and Zane can accommodate your healthcare needs.

You can also have any wound cares completed here; outpatient antibiotics or other infusions

like iron can be administered in the facility too. Labs can be collected to monitor and manage coumadin, thyroid medications, or other medications that require routine lab work (Lithium). If you see specialists out of town, ask if they can provide orders via fax to our facility; and you can have them done here rather than travel. We can access and flush your port if needed. You can have your pre-op EKG or other lab work performed here before any procedures, instead of making a second trip to your surgeon's office. You can stay with us in an acute setting, as a swing bed patient. "Swing Bed" is a term used to cover any type of skilled care you may need around the clock. Swing bed stays are useful any time you need short-term nursing care longer than three days, especially if your family is unable to care for you at home. Long- term antibiotics, rehab after surgery, and wound management are some of the reasons patients are admitted to Swing Bed.

The possibilities are abundant because we have such great staff here at BSMC. Our clinic staff includes Krystyl Kulbeck, PA-C; Zane Bendig, NP-C; Suzy Labuda, MA; Morgan Simpson, CNA/MA; and Michele Manhart, Clinic Receptionist. They work together with the business office, hospital nurses, pharmacy, and other providers to make sure you are cared for.

Krystyl Kulbeck became a Physician Assistant (PA) in 2011 and began working at BSMC in 2013. To become a PA, you must have earned a Master's Degree from an accredited school. Krystyl grew up on a ranch in Twin Bridges, MT and obtained her undergrad education at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Her graduate program was completed at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. She is a great asset to our community and also acts as the Medical Director of the Big Sandy Volunteer Ambulance.

She says her favorite part of the job is "the relationship you form with all the patients and the relationship with this community. I am blessed to call Big Sandy my home."

Zane Bendig became a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2019 and started his NP career here at BSMC last spring. Zane is from Great Falls, originally, but did live and work in Denver for a while too. He worked as an ER Critical Care RN for seven years before obtaining his NP and was a Paramedic for 10 years before that. His Master's Degree comes from Chamberlain University; and he is continuing to earn his Doctorate there. To become an NP in the state of Montana you must have a Master's Degree or a Doctorate. Zane brings a versatile skill set to the facility that has been a great addition to our team. He says his favorite part of the job is "the community and being able to see patient outcomes. In the ER, especially in Denver, I may never even see a person again or know what happened to them. I also like the BSMC staff; they work as a team and the job is personal. Contrary to popular belief, taking a job personally is not a bad thing, especially in health care. It makes us better."

Suzy Labuda became a CMA in 2018 (Certified Medical Assistant) and is also the Clinic Manager. She earned her Associate of Applied Science in MA at Great Falls College; then became certified through AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants). Suzy grew up here in Big Sandy and says her favorite part of the job is "caring for our patients." Her bright, smiling attitude is a welcome sight when you're not feeling well.

Morgan Simpson wears a couple of hats at BSMC. She started in April of 2019 as a CNA. Just recently she obtained her MA through the US Career Institute and began also working in the clinic. Morgan was born in Ekalaka but has been a Big Sandy resident for the majority of her life. She says her favorite part of the job is "the residents," and her "co-workers come in a close second." We are so grateful that she is willing to help out wherever she is needed.

Michele Manhart is the last, but not least, of our clinic staff. Michele has been the Clinic

Receptionist since January of this year. She grew up in Neola, IA, but has lived in Big Sandy since 2014. She says that her favorite part of the job has been "meeting and interacting more with the community." She is a welcomed addition to the BSMC Clinic staff.

Whether you choose to come to the clinic for all your healthcare needs or only when you're ill, we appreciate you trusting us with your health and wellness. Our staff is great, but YOU are what makes the facility thrive. Thank you, Krystyl, Zane, Suzy, Morgan, and Michele! And thank you, Big Sandy residents, for being the heart of BSMC.