Livingston HealthCare’s Board of Directors
Local Community Members Dedicated to Providing Quality Healthcare
Livingston HealthCare’s mission is to serve the community by providing
quality healthcare. Our board of directors are local residents who resonate
with that goal and lend their skills and insight to accomplish it. Along
with the leadership team, the individuals listed below are responsible
for the excellent services LHC has provided over the years and will continue
to provide in the future.
Denis Prager, PhD, Chair
Denis Prager is president of Strategic Consulting Services. From 1983 to
1994, he was director of the health program at the John D. and Catherine
T. MacArthur Foundation. From 1978 to 1983, Dr. Prager was associate director
of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He began his
career in 1960 as a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health
and has also served as a U.S. Public Health Service Fellow at Stanford
University, where he received his PhD in physiology.
Kristen Galbraith, Secretary
Kristen Galbraith was raised near Glacier National Park in northwest Montana
and continued her post-secondary education at Montana State University,
obtaining a high honors dual degree in Business Marketing and Accounting.
Her diverse career resume includes jobs as a retail salesperson, waitress,
wrangler, administrative assistant, project manager, grant writer/administrator
and business owner. Since 2009, she has concentrated efforts as a full-time
grant writer and special projects administrator, raising more than $24
million for different communities and organizations throughout Montana
and Colorado. Her sense of passion and creativity has enlivened her interest
in making a concerted difference in communities, including a wide range
of infrastructure, public safety and recreation improvements. She also
shares pride, ownership and responsibilities associated with two successful
Livingston businesses - The Obsidian Collection (since 1994) and Coffee
Crossing (since 2008).
Kristen is one of three Montanans who is Grants Professional Certified
(GPC) and serves as Board Chair of the Nominating Committee for the Grants
Professional Association. She also serves on two local boards as chair
of the Livingston Business Improvement District and secretary of the Livingston
Youth Soccer Association. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she is often trail
running, biking or hiking throughout Montana's off-road and mountain
areas, most likely accompanied by her two children and canine friends.
Scott Coleman, MD
Scott Coleman, MD, is a Board Certified Family Medicine physician who practices
family medicine and obstetrics at Livingston HealthCare. He was selected
to fill the role of Medical Director for Livingston HealthCare in October,
2013, at which time he joined the Livingston HealthCare Board of Directors.
Dr. Coleman received a degree in Microbiology from the University of Tennessee,
followed by his MD from the University of South Dakota. After the completion
of his MD, Dr. Coleman served as a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy
for six years and received the Navy Achievement Medal for Outstanding
Performance as a Resident. In 2005, he moved to Park County to be closer
to family. Dr. Coleman is presently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical
Corp of the Montana Air National Guard.
Kyra Eddy Piñango, MD
Kyra Eddy Piñango, MD, a Livingston native, returns to her hometown
as a family medicine physician with fellowship training in women’s
health and obstetrics. Dr. Piñango studied at Walla Walla University
in Washington state, transferring to and receiving her undergraduate degree
from Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska. She earned her medical degree from
Loma Linda University School of Medicine, in Loma Linda, California.
Dr. Piñango made the choice to become a physician after a year spent
working at an orphanage in El Salvador while she was in college. She says
coming home to Livingston was always part of her plan. “It is a
privilege to care for my community as a physician, and of course, finally
come home.” A welcomed addition to Kyra’s planned homecoming
was bringing along her husband, Dr. Henry Piñango (Internal Medicine
and Geriatrics) and their young son. Since coming home, they’ve
had a daughter, born right here in the Family Birth Center at Livingston
HealthCare.
Jeffry Lindenbaum, MD
Jeffry Lindenbaum, MD has been lead Radiologist at Livingston HealthCare
since January 2013. Dr. Lindenbaum is licensed to practice in Montana
and Wyoming and has more than 15 years of leadership experience in private
practice and integrated healthcare delivery systems.
Laurie Smith
Laurie Smith has been the Vice President of Hospital Operations and Chief
Nursing Officer at Billings Clinic since April of 2016. She became a Certified
Nursing Assistant at the age of 16 and has been working in the medical
world ever since. Smith earned her certification as a Licensed Practical
Nurse after high school, and went on to earn her bachelor’s and
master’s degrees — both in nursing. She is married with two
children, and says she is happiest when she’s camping or on a beach.
Michael Schaer
Michael Schaer is the sole owner and chairman of Computers Unlimited, and
sits on the advisory board of First Interstate Bank, MSUB College of Business,
and Billings Business Improvement District. In the past he has been a
board member at the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Big Sky Economic Development
Agency, Billings Clinic, and Downtown Billings Partnership. In addition
to Michael's extensive involvement with advisory boards, he is the
owner of the following Billings restaurants and hotels; McCormick Cafe,
Cafe Italia, Carlin Hotel, Log Cabin Bakery and Catering, and Hotel Carlin
Events Center.