Ennis welcomes new doctor

By Keeley Fitzgerald for the Three Rivers Edition - 08/07/2007

Dr. Sharp

n Public reception set

MVHC will host an open house for Dr. Sharp and the other providers on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the clinic. The public is welcome to attend the event.

Madison Valley Hospital and Clinic’s newest physician, Dr. Cindy Sharp, will begin seeing patients this week ending a yearlong search to bring a second doctor to Ennis.

Dr. Sharp joins current MVHC providers Jaye Swoboda, MD; Becky Wells, PA-C; and Ben Lindeman, PA-C.

MVHC Administrator Pete Brekhus says bringing another physician to the Madison Valley is a huge benefit to the area’s growing medical community and its residents.

“We now have a team of two physicians and two mid-level providers. That seems to be a comfortable number that works well covering all the services we offer while handling the needs of the community,” said Brekhus.

“Having another physician helps our other providers with their stress levels by reducing their workload. It adds another dimension to our medical staff and makes for a really nice compliment to our medical community.”

Sharp is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical School. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Alabama and her fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, CO. Prior to attending medical school, Sharp worked as a registered nurse.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Sharp’s Ennis based practice will cover the specialties of Internal Medicine and Nephrology as well as family practice and emergency medicine.

Internal medicine deals with the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs, especially in adults.

Nephrology is a branch of medicine covering the functions and diseases of the kidneys and related organs.

As the valley’s newest doctor, Sharp says she is excited to join MVHC’s goal of providing quality medical care close to home.

“My main objective is to provide the valley with some peace of mind that they have physicians here that will help them both maintain their health and treat their diseases and illnesses. I also want to help give them the peace of mind that they can rely on quality medical care

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here in the Madison Valley,” said Sharp.

With previous practices at the Kalispell Diagnostic Center, Minor and James Clinic in Seattle, and most recently St. Alexis Medical Center in Bismarck, ND, Sharp says she and her husband are excited to be back in Montana.

“The main reason we moved here is to be part of a community and hopefully add to the level of medical expertise they have here,” said Sharp. “We really had a good feeling about the community. We really love Montana. We were determined to get back to Montana in some way.”

In between her two-year practice in Seattle and her three-year practice in Bismarck, Sharp says she looked into coming to Ennis. Wanting to move away from the big city, Sharp picked up a copy of Dr. R.E. Losee’s noted book “Doc: Then and Now with a Montana Physician.” Reading Dr. Losee’s memoirs detailing his 45-year long experience practicing medicine in Ennis and the Madison Valley left an impression.

“Initially I really wanted to move to Ennis but at the time they didn’t have a need for an internist,” said Sharp. “Dr. Losee’s book was a huge influence. He sounds like a wonderful doctor. After reading his book, Ennis sounded like a wonderful place to practice medicine.”

Sharp’s arrival comes just one month before the scheduled Labor Day groundbreaking for the new multi-million dollar hospital and clinic facility. Being a part of the new facility and its accompanying technology as well as Ennis’ close proximity to larger medical facilities with sub specialties were big factors in Sharp’s decision to come to Ennis.

“It is very exciting to be involved in the planning stages of the new hospital and clinic. What that becomes is very dependent on the job we do and the community support. If we all work together, I think we can get something special,” said Sharp.

Sharp is also excited to be a part of MVHC’s team approach to medical care. Providing top quality patient care, getting patients involved in their own care, and teaching preventive medicine are all a big part of the team approach to practicing medicine.

“It’s an exciting place to be. I really have the impression they are focused on the community and are trying to provide for the community. With all the changes in the medical field it is kind of refreshing to see that they are still dedicated to the patient,” said Sharp.

“The team approach between the providers, nurses, and staff is apparent. I’m excited to be a part of that team.”

MVHC will host an open house for Dr. Sharp and the other providers on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the clinic. The public is welcome to attend the event.

Contact Keeley Fitzgerald at keeleyfitz@hotmail.com