Sidney Health Center Announces Staff Additions

Sidney Health Center has announced the addition of three health care professionals to its staff.

Senn

Sidney Health Center is pleased to welcome Chloe Senn, family nurse practitioner, to its medical staff. Senn joins the team to offer both urology and primary care services in the clinic setting.

In 2023, Sidney Health Center partnered with VirtuCare, a leading provider of urologic services, to enhance access to premier urologic care for residents of the MonDak region through telemedicine. With the addition of Senn, patients can now receive local care for a wide range of urological conditions, including enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, low testosterone, kidney stones, recurring UTIs, elevated PSA levels, and voiding complaints.

VirtuCare, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., specializes in connecting board-certified urologists with rural communities via telemedicine. Sidney Health Center’s tele-urology clinic collaborates closely with VirtuCare’s experienced urologists to address a broad spectrum of common urological issues, ensuring patients receive the specialized care they need.

Senn began her career at Sidney Health Center in 2017 as a registered nurse before advancing to become a family nurse practitioner. After earning her doctor of nursing practice in family practice from Montana State University, she joined the Trenton Indian Services Area, where she provided comprehensive care across the lifespan, including chronic disease management, wellness visits, and treatment for acute illnesses.

Returning to Sidney Health Center, Senn aims to enhance access to care across the continuum. Later this fall, she will begin seeing patients in the same-day clinic in addition to her work with the tele-urology service.

This essential service bridges the gap in specialty care, providing area residents with access to urology specialists. The tele-urology clinic is located in the Medical Arts Building on the Sidney Health Center campus at 12th Avenue Southwest in Sidney. To schedule an appointment with Sidney Health Center’s tele-urology clinic, call 406488-2546.

Schillinger

Sidney Health Center is also pleased to announce the addition of Amie Schillinger to the orthopedic team as a physician assistant. Schillinger’s expertise and dedication to patient care will enhance the center’s commitment to providing exceptional orthopedic services to the Sidney community and surrounding areas.

Her arrival marks an exciting expansion of the team, allowing better service for patients seeking relief from chronic pain or striving to regain optimal function after an injury. She began her career as a nurse and eventually became a physician assistant, discovering her true calling in orthopedics, where she thrives on assisting patients in regaining their strength and mobility. She received her associate of applied science in practical nursing from Montana State University- Billings and her bachelor of science in nursing from Dickinson State University before completing the master of physician assistant studies program at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

At Sidney Health Center, the orthopedic team employs both surgical and non-surgical techniques to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and improve the overall quality of life for patients. Their services encompass general orthopedics, arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder, rotator cuff surgery, osteoarthritis treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome and basic hand surgery, knee, hip, and shoulder replacement, fracture repair, sports medicine, and more.

“We are thrilled to welcome Amie to our orthopedic team,” said Jennifer Doty, CEO. “Her skills and compassion for patient care align perfectly with our mission to provide top-quality orthopedic services. With Amie on board, we can offer even more comprehensive care and improve access for our patients.”

The orthopedic team comprises three surgeons, Dr. Daniel Anderson, Dr. Eric Sigmond, and Dr. James Scott, as well as two physician assistants, Shelley Owen and Amie Schillinger.

To schedule an appointment with one of the orthopedic specialists, please call the Sidney Health Center Orthopedic Clinic at 406-4882277.

Bassett

Sidney Health Center is excited to announce the addition of Nancy Bassett, a highly experienced speech language pathologist, to its dedicated team of health care professionals.

“We are thrilled to have Nancy join our team,” said Nicole Keysor, rehab services director at Sidney Health Center. “Having a skilled speech therapist like Nancy on site is incredibly important for our community. Her expertise and commitment to patient-centered care will be an invaluable addition for patients requiring this type of therapy.”

Bassett brings 18 years of experience in the field of speech and language therapy to Sidney Health Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a master’s degree in speech language pathology from Utah State University. She is also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Bassett’s interest in speech therapy was sparked by personal experiences. While in college, she witnessed the positive impact of speech therapy on a family member, inspiring her to explore the field further. Her passion deepened after dealing with a swallowing disorder as a young adult, which was misdiagnosed for years before being surgically corrected. This experience gave her a deep understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with swallowing issues and motivated her to pursue a career in speech therapy, particularly in areas involving swallowing and communication disorders.

At Sidney Health Center, she specializes in the skilled treatment of speech and language disorders, offering interventions designed to maximize communication and oral motor capabilities for patients of all ages. The speech therapy services focus on diagnosing, treating, and managing limitations.

As a speech therapist, Bassett helps patients overcome a range of challenges, particularly in improving communication and addressing swallowing difficulties. She often works with children who have trouble pronouncing certain speech sounds, as well as adults with slurred or mumbled speech. Additionally, she frequently assists patients with swallowing difficulties, helping them understand their limitations, apply effective strategies, and perform exercises to ensure safety while eating and drinking. Her approach to care is highly collaborative. She regularly participates in team meetings with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive care plans. She also emphasizes the importance of engaging families in the therapy process, educating them on how they can support the patient’s goals at home, thereby fostering a more cohesive and effective treatment approach.

Sidney Health Center’s speech therapy services are available to both pediatric and adult patients, providing personalized care in the clinic and hospital settings. For more information about the speech therapy services or to schedule an appointment with Nancy Bassett, SLP, please contact Sidney Health Center’s Rehab Department at 406-488-2166 or visit the website at sidneyhealth.org.