Medical Center physician appointed to Health Board

The Lincoln County Commission on Nov. 15 unanimously approved the appointment of Sara Huddleston to the Lincoln County Health Board, which a week earlier had unanimously approved her application for the position.

Huddleston, who moved to Libby about a year and a half ago to practice family medicine at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, will serve a three-year term beginning January 1, 2018, replacing physician assistant Joe Chopyak.

Huddleston was one of two Medical Center staffers who applied for the position. The other was Laura Larson-Crismore, who has worked at the facility since 2005 and currently is its quality risk manager.

Both women appeared before the Health Board on Nov. 8 during its regular monthly meeting.

“I think it’s wonderful that we’ve got two such fine candidates to choose from,” board member George Jamison said, starting that evening’s discussion on whom to choose. Noting they would be replacing a physician whose perspective as a health care provider had been valuable, he said selecting Huddleston would provide the board with “continuity.”

Board member and Lincoln County Commissioner Mark Peck echoed Jamison in praising both and wanting to maintain having a health care provider’s point of view.

“It’s just a win-win situation,” said Board chair Jan Ivers, who asked that they consider keeping whomever they didn’t choose for this position lined up for the next position to open.

“It’s difficult to find people to volunteer for positions in communities, and it’s just so exciting to have two choices,” Ivers said.

Moments later Larson-Crismore removed herself from consideration. Noting that she is already “involved in a lot of things” in the community, she said “it would be a great opportunity for Dr. Huddleston to perhaps step into this role” and “I’m open to re-applying the next time” a board position opens.

The board then moved to accept Huddleston’s application and voted unanimously in her favor.