Staff Members

Staff Members

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Tracy McNew

Executive Director

Tracy became Executive Director of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease after the nonprofit’s founder, Dr. Brad Black, retired from the executive role in 2021. Tracy started working at the clinic after moving to Libby, Montana with her family in 2009. She began in a nursing role and soon moved into management. Her prior experience included both nursing and nonprofit management. Her education includes training as a licensed practical nurse, a bachelor’s degree in biology, and a master’s degree in public administration. In addition, she is actively pursuing CARD’s research goals as a Ph.D. student in epidemiology and public health at the University of Montana. In her role, she manages the overall operations of CARD and ensures that patient care is always CARD’s top priority. She oversees service and program delivery, human resources, organizational compliance, record keeping, financial practices, and performs other administrative duties aligning CARD’s day-to-day operations with its mission and vision.

Dr. Lee Morrissette

Medical Director

Dr. Lee sees established ARD patients as well as new screening patients. She made the move to Libby, Montana in 2019 from Cincinnati, Ohio to join CARD. She was raised in West Virginia and spent 21 years in the military as a flight surgeon and aerospace medicine/ preventative medicine specialist. During those years, Dr. Lee spent much of her time deployed with aviation squadrons to South American, the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. She retired from the Air Force in 2009 as a Colonel, and has since done work throughout the country as well as in New Zealand. She loves to travel and has visited 113 countries and territories. She also enjoys writing stories, cooking, hiking, photography, and spending time with Ollie, her Jack Russel Terrier.

Miles Miller

Certified Physicians Assistant

Miles graduated from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Services, and minor in Surgery and Emergency Medicine. His undergraduate studies were completed at University of Pennsylvania and University of Texas at Austin. Miles has been a resident of Lincoln county since 1992. He has dedicated much of his career to rural primary care in NW Montana. He worked many years with Dr. Black at the original Prompt Care Clinic, right here in Libby, later establishing himself as one of the primary care providers in Eureka, Montana. He joins the CARD clinic after recently serving overseas , as the senior medical provider at the US Embassy in Iraq.

Pam Martens

Licensed Practical Nurse and Clinical Supervisor

Pam graduated from the University of Montana and has been in nursing for decades. She grew up in Libby and after a 19 year absence has moved back home. Pam joined the CARD Clinic in June 2014 and works closely with the medical providers to ensure high quality patient care. She is very excited to be back in Lincoln County serving the community she grew up in.

Stephanie Shaw

Case Manager

Stephanie graduated from Montana State University – Northern, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and minor in Psychology. Prior to coming to CARD in April of 2019, Stephanie served in the Marine Corps for 8 years. She provides free care coordination through, smoking cessation counseling, depression screening, Pilot reimbursement submission assistance, collaborating with local providers and Pilot to request additional authorized services, and arranging benefits such as Medicare and Pilot. Stephanie spends her free time volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and as a Design Team Member with the Lincoln Country Zero to Five Collaboration. Being born and raised in Libby, Stephanie is excited to put back into the community she loves and adores.

Dr. Brad Black

Senior Medical and Research Advisor

Dr. Black is Senior Medical and Research Advisor for CARD. He retired from his position as CEO and Medical Director in May of 2021, but he continues to be a leading advocate for healthcare, treatment, and research to benefit those impacted by Libby amphibole asbestos. A pediatrician by specialty, he additionally spent 10 years as the Medical Director for Libby’s urgent care center and served as an emergency room physician prior to CARD. Lincoln County Health Officer since 1984, Dr. Black has become dedicated to developing the healthcare infrastructure for the county including asbestos related disease healthcare. He was integral in the planning and implementation of the original ATSDR asbestos health screening program and the development of CARD Clinic. With support from Dr. Alan Whitehouse, a Spokane Pulmonologist, and many years of experience, Dr. Black has become an expert in identifying and managing Libby amphibole asbestos diseases. His dedication is appreciated greatly by CARD as well as the community.

Jordan Kuhn

Research and Outreach Associate

Jordan was born and raised in Libby, Montana. She joined the CARD clinic in 2021, but has brought years of customer service and billing experience with her. She is responsible for a variety of office/clerical tasks related to claim processing and working with patients and insurance companies to resolve accounts. Jordan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, camping and kayaking. She is excited to be working with such a great team at CARD and with the community she grew up in.

Annamarie Wagner

Front Desk and Long Distance Coordinator

Annamarie was born and raised in the Libby, Montana area. She has worked a number of jobs here and brings a strong medical background to CARD from her last position working as a pharmacy tech. She loves the Libby community and enjoys working with the people who come into our clinic. Annamarie lives with her husband and their two spoiled dogs. She loves to sew, making a wide variety of things from bags to quilts, and she also loves to bake.

Ashley Day

Respiratory Therapist

Ashley is a Registered Respiratory Therapist at CARD and has been a valued member of the staff since June of 2004. She was born and raised in Libby, Montana and is a graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula. At CARD, Ashley is dedicated to quality care for patients, where she administers pulmonary functioning tests (breathing tests) to the quality that they may be used for diagnosis and research purposes. Ashley is extremely thrilled to be working in her community and is enthusiastic about educating patients on disease management. She is proud to be working at CARD with such an amazing team that shares her same goals.

Vernon Johnson

Respiratory Therapist

Vernon is a Registered Respiratory Therapist at the CARD Clinic. He was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV which is where he also attended PIMA Medical Institute for his respiratory therapist education in 2009. Vern is looking forward to being a part of the team of professionals at CARD where he will assist in administering your pulmonary function test. Vern moved to the Libby area with his family in 2020and is looking forward to learning more about this community that was his wife’s childhood home. Vern enjoys sports, fishing, and has a lifelong love for the Green Bay Packers.

Cathy Ann Jenkins

Registered Nurse

Cathy Ann came to Libby January 1972. She has worked most of her career in long term care, with a 15 year span as nurse for Roger Brus, M.D. She is very proud of her family, which includes 6 daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter. She enjoys working in her yard, quilting, cooking, beading with her granddaughters, and scrapbooking. She has served as Chamber President, Chairman of the Libby School Board, president of Libby Woman’s Club, and is a member of Kootenai Valley Rotary Club. She started at CARD April 23, 2018 and is nurse for Brad Black, M.D.

Kerensa Hanley

Clinical Research Associate

Kerensa joined CARD in May of 2011 as a Research Associate/Data Entry Technician. She is responsible for a wide variety of tasks related to healthcare delivery and research projects including: planning and assisting with data collection, consenting patients, extrapolating and verifying information, organizing and entering the data. Kerensa brings compassion and caring, along with a wealth of knowledge and experience to the CARD team.

Serena Pape

Nursing Assistant

Serena graduated from Libby High School in 2007 and joined CARD in 2019. She brought with her several years of management experience as well as experience being a junior emergency medical technician. She started in medical records, but soon took on a more clinic role working directly with patients. She enjoys all aspects of the healthcare environment especially helping her patients. Serena lives with her husband and children and enjoys spending as much quality time with them as possible. Here hobbies include reading, sewing, and crafting.

Rachael Shelmerdine

Patient Accounts Representative

Rachael was happy to join the CARD team in early 2022 taking the position of Patient Accounts Representative. After a twenty-year adventure, she has returned back to the home that she loves in the beautiful Kootenai Valley. During her journey, she attended the University of Montana and graduated with a Medical Reception Certificate. She also traveled throughout Montana and raised three wonderful children. She now enjoys spending time with her four beautiful grandchildren and likes anything and everything that has to do with the outdoors. Rachael is excited to be back in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains and on the banks of the Kootenai River. In her downtime, she likes to cook, quilt, bike ride, and enjoy floating on the river.

Rhonda LaBelle

Imaging Coordinator

Rhonda started at the CARD Clinic in October of 2013, but has been doing medical transcription for the CARD Clinic doctors’ since 2009 off site. Since Rhonda has worked at the CARD Clinic, she does medical transcription, works as a database entry technician, and medical records assistant. Rhonda feels very privileged to be serving her community as part of the CARD team.

Mark Smith

Data Entry Specialist

Mark, a Registered Respiratory Therapist, has been at CARD since May of 2009 and in Libby since winter of 2006. Before joining CARD, mark gained extensive experience in assisting individuals utilizing home oxygen therapy. He administers pulmonary function tests (breathing tests) and performs many duties related to respiratory medications and oximetry. Mark enjoys the opportunity to work with patients from all walks of life and is committed to providing quality care in his community.

Jody Jones

Data Entry / Maintenance

Jody was born and raised in the Libby area and brings years of work experience from various industries to his position. He works part time and ensures that the CARD Clinic and our grounds are both clean and well-maintained. He enjoys volunteering in the community, cooking, woodworking, and an array of outdoor activities. He also enjoys spending time with has two sons and six grand kids.

Chris Ekstedt

Database Coordinator

Chris joined CARD in June of 2009, as a Data Entry Technician. She is responsible for the organization, entry, accuracy and overall quality assurance of CARD’s database. The database is used not only in delivering screening and healthcare services to patients; it also supports CARD’S research efforts. She conducts exposure interviews and consents patients who are interested in participating in research activities. Chris has an AAS degree in Office Technology and a background in accounting, banking, and library support. As a Libby native, Chris has experienced the effects of asbestos both personally and within the community motivating her to be an integral part of the CARD team in pursuing new treatments to manage asbestos related diseases.

Aaron Warren

IT Tech

Aaron graduated from Libby High School in 1994 and joined the CARD Clinic in February of 2022. He brought with him years of technical experience as well as experience with networks and imaging software. Aaron also has military and medical experience as a Registered Nursing Assistant for 6½ years working directly with patients. He enjoys all aspects of the technical environment including problem solving and research. His hobbies include web design, 3D design, and most forms of art. Aaron lives in Libby, loves his community, and feels that helping the CARD Clinic is an honor and a privilege.

Kim Wyatt

Medical Records

Kim started at the CARD clinic in August of 2022 in medical records. She was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. Leaving Alaska and moving on to new adventures in Idaho, Washington, and Colorado. With her husband, she has been traveling to Montana for fishing, camping, and riding four-wheelers for the past 18 years. They moved to the Troy area earlier in 2022 and absolutely love it. They have one son and three grandchildren (all boys). Prior to working for CARD, she worked for Alaska Airlines for almost 20 years, then shifted her career to financial banking. Kim has knowledge of customer service and is passionate to learn her new role in medical records. She feels so lucky to work at CARD and meet the community of Libby and Troy.

Marcella Kindall

Research Associate

Marcella is new to the Libby area and joined CARD Clinic in July 2022. As Research Associate her main focus is on assisting the patients with the completion and recording of their paperwork whether it be in person or over the phone. Marcella brings with her 20+ years of experience in the clerical field as well as customer service. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, DIYs, yard work, walking/hiking but most of all spending time with her son.

Ashley White

Receptionist

Ashley was born and raised in Libby, MT and has lived here her whole life, excluding a little less than a year where she lived in the south for her husband's work. She quickly figured out that there really is no place like home in the mountains. She loves to fish, camp, and hike during the summer but in the winter she would prefer to hide in the house and teach herself new hobbies to pass the time. Ashley was thrilled to start the position at the CARD clinic in 2022 because she loves to learn and was excited to do her part to help the community.