FACES of HEALTH
Meeting People Where They Are
DIFFERENCE YOU’RE MAKING FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED
THE
Volume 33 | Winter 2023
HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS:
Healthcare for the Homeless welcomes everybody
Program serves vital role in caring for people experiencing homelessness
Patients usually are waiting on weekday mornings when Misty LaFranier, RN, and Tammy LaFountain, RN, open Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH).
Cold, tired and hungry people receive immediate attention for their healthcare needs along with hot coffee and snacks from the RiverStone Health staff at the 2424 First Ave. N. clinic. Tuesday and Thursday morning outreach clinics at the St. Vincent de Paul day shelter, 3005 First Ave. N., are even busier.
The nurses see patients who need wound care, patients who are dehydrated, who have frostbite in winter and painful sunburn in summer. Mental illnesses and substance use disorders are common.
“The patients we deal with have very complex needs,” Tammy explained. “These people are fighting for their lives. If they just come in our door, it’s a big win for us.” Each patient requires significant time for evaluation and treatment.
Patients are people of all ages who are doubling up in housing with friends or relatives, people living in motels, shelters or on the street.
RiverStone Health offers primary medical care, behavioral health and dental care at no charge to the 1,375 patients enrolled in HCH. In addition to Tammy and Misty, the staff includes addiction and mental health counselors and physician assistants.
“We meet them where they are. We try not to put up barriers,” said Misty, HCH program manager. Transportation is the No. 1 barrier. Few HCH
patients have their own transportation, so HCH gets them cabs to healthcare appointments.
“The majority of our patients are Native. Misty and I are Native, so it opens the door and draws people in,” Tammy said, adding that she and Misty are members of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
“It’s powerful for our tribe to have two Native nurses. Our patients are proud of us,” said Misty. “When they come in, we’re here to listen. We end up being their support. They often come to us feeling rejected and like nobody listens,” Misty said. “We welcome anybody and everybody.”
When you make a gift to the RiverStone Health Foundation, you support the vital health programs we provide to people in need in our community. Please consider designating your gift to assist us in serving Tammy and Misty’s HCH patients.
To make a gift in support of our care of people experiencing homelessness, visit RiverStoneHealth.org/
GIVE Scan me
Misty LaFranier talks with a man during the annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day vigil about a safe place to stay.
Tammy LaFountain checks the blood pressure of a patient at the annual HCH breakfast in South Park.
They often come to us feeling rejected and like nobody listens. We welcome anybody and everybody.
“ “
Misty LaFranier, RN
Tree of Lights honors veterans Meet our Foundation staff
The 32nd annual Hospice Tree of Lights honored veterans in November and featured the family of World War II veteran Don Mason.
Hospice staff were privileged to read more than 530 names during the ceremony.
Thank you to everyone who donated in memory of loved ones.
You helped ensure that RiverStone Health Hospice will keep serving all patients, regardless of ability to pay.
View the video at RiverStoneHealth.org/lights.
Board of Directors
Bill Royer – Chair, UBS Financial Services
Carol Beam – Vice-Chair, Rocky Mountain Health Network
Drew Hedrick – Secretary/Treasurer, Century 21 Hometown Brokers
Dan Carter – ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
John Dorr, MD – Retired
Jon Forte – RiverStone Health
David Mitchell – Coldwell Banker Commercial
Ryan Nordlund – City Vineyard
Foundation Staff
Barbara Schneeman – Executive Director
Leyna Kingman – Development Coordinator
Beth Allen – Development Associate
Barbara Schneeman has been named executive director of RiverStone Health Foundation. Barbara joined RiverStone Health in 2003, and since 2013 has been vice president for communications and public affairs. She is also the public information officer. She now has the additional responsibility of leading the Foundation.
Leyna Kingman recently became Foundation development coordinator after working at RiverStone Health in training, fundraising and public health since 2013.
Beth Allen, Foundation development associate, joined RiverStone Health in 2022.
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MT Endowment Tax Credit questions?
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Announcements
Memorial Listing: Gifts given in tribute are posted quarterly at RiverStoneHealth.org/memorial
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Foundation staff pictured from left, Leyna Kingman, Barbara Schneeman & Beth Allen.a Gift
RiverStoneHealth.org/GIVE
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RiverStoneHealth.org/GOLF Sign up your team for the 35th Annual RiverStone Health Hospice Golf Tournament on June 2 at Laurel Golf Club. This premier golfing event benefits RiverStone Health Hospice, serving patients in Yellowstone, Carbon, Musselshell and Stillwater counties. Sponsorships are available. Register your team now to receive the early bird discount. 123 South 27th Street Billings, MT 59101 RiverStoneHealth.org • 406.651.6555 35th Annual Contact RiverStone Health Foundation to learn more about volunteer opportunities. 406.651.6555 Scan the QR code to register your team today! ��