Family Physician of the Year 



2009 WINNER:  Frank C. Michels, M.D. – Billings

Doctor Michels has practiced medicine within the St. Vincent Healthcare organization since 1989. He is a dedicated physician who is valued both professionally and personally by his patients and his colleagues.

Dr. Michels has been a leader both within St. Vincent Healthcare and the greater community throughout his career. His work related to the development of the Montana Family Practice Residency Program in the early 1990’s has influenced the delivery of primary care throughout the state of Montana and helped to stabilize the number of family practice physicians who now serve our area.

Doctor Michels was instrumental in the development of West Grand Family Medicine, a well respected family practice clinic in the St. Vincent Healthcare system. He continues to practice at West Grand and advocate for high quality, high touch family practice and obstetric care for all patients.

 

 

2008:   Ronald A. Miller, M.D. – Whitefish

During 36 years behind a stethoscope in the same small town, a family doctor has a pretty good chance of witnessing the parade of generations. Dr. Ron Miller has been in the front lines for many Whitefish families — and counts that participation as a great joy. “Relationships,” he said without missing a beat, when asked to consider the favorite part of his practice. “I’ve had patients that I delivered their children, and now I’ve delivered that child’s baby.” At one point Dr. Miller did it all, serving as the go-to doctor for all of a family’s planned and unplanned medical needs. But he gave up emergency-room medicine two years ago. Four years back, he quit doing obstetrical work.

Dr. Miller, a native of Washington’s Tri Cities area, did his undergraduate work at Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma then went through medical school at University of Washington in Seattle. His residency and training, and finally the start to his career, came in Whitefish. “I liked the mountains, I liked the Flathead,” he recalled. “And they needed a physician in their group.”
2007:  Mark W. Zilkoski, M.D. – Wolf Point

Mark has been working in Wolf Point for many years, serving his community, teaching residents and medical students, and doing all of those other things that you expect of someone who has their name come up in discussions regarding an award like this.

Physicians who work with Mark have described him as possessing the most important traits in working with patients. Things like compassion, work ethic, dedication, caring, and dependability. Those attributes are the things that make Mark a great physician. .
2006:  John S. Patterson, M.D. – Bozeman

John is a caring, knowledgeable and dedicated physician. He continues to practice the full spectrum of Family Medicine, including OB; office, hospital and nursing home practices; surgery assisting; serving medical missions overseas and teaching medical students.

It is not unusual for him to treat three generations of a family, yet he still accepts new patients. John exemplifies the quintessential Family Physician, and it is an honorable reflection on all Montana Family Physicians to present John as one of our finest.