HOME ABOUT US OUR SERVICES CONTACT COMMUNITY ABOUT US Big Sandy Medical Center grew from one dream to another. Enticement was the name of the plan in 1962, when a group of Big Sandy residents realized they needed to keep a doctor in the community. A medical center seemed the perfect solution. Big Sandy Medical Center (BSMC) was built in 1965 as a nine bed hospital with a medical clinic attached. The community raised all the money necessary to build the facility through a community fund drive. There had always been a physician either in town or available for the Big Sandy residents. The first doctor’s office was located above the “big store”. As the population increased, the need for more advanced technology became evident as did the desire for a “hometown” doctor who knew the people and their problems. Dr. Ross Vilardo was the first Big Sandy Medical Center doctor. Numerous physicians have served the community since 1965. One of the best service organizations any hospital can have was also born with the medical center when the Medical Guild was established. Promoting the building and further fund raising events, the group has had a very large part in maintaining the facility for the community. The Hospital District was formed in April 1966 to aid in delegating funds and authority by the Board of Directors. Bud Gullickson was the first administrator of BSMC. The first Board of Directors were Edward Beaudette, Ken Heen, Alfred Ophus, Howard Hammond, and Dale Skaalure. A dedicated, qualified nursing staff has always been maintained with special departments (such as lab & x-ray) added to meet the needs of the community. By the 1980’s, Federal and State regulations loomed over BSMC, forcing the board to reexamine the facility and the extent of repairs and remodeling it would need to do in order to continue. Taking into account inflation and ever decreasing patient days, the board realized the hospital would have to expand its care. Keeping the elderly in the community was the foremost reason for checking into an extended care facility. In 1985 the community passed a bond issue to build the twenty-two bed nursing home. This provided the needed care for the community elderly. There was a remodeling project finished in April of 1997. The project was necessary in order to update BSMC to meet current codes for public building. Some of the required changes included handicap accessibility as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, and new requirements for electrical and ventilation codes. Another advantage of the project was that it presented an opportunity to provide some expansion in the clinic, office space, and the laboratory. As time goes on other revisions will be made to BSMC, so that it can provide the best possible care for our community. Leah (Grubb) Griffith, CEO Leah (Grubb) Griffith, born and raised in Big Sandy, worked at the medical center during her teen years. Leah obtained her Associate of Arts degree at Dawson Community College in 1998 and Bachelors in Psychology at MSU-Bozeman in 2000. After starting a family, she later earned an Associates in Nursing at Indiana University-East in 2008. Leah returned to Big Sandy with her family in 2012 and worked as an RN in the Clinic before being appointed CEO in 2014. She still enjoys assisting with patient care as an RN and Limited Permit X-ray Tech at needed. Her primary goal as CEO is to ensure BSMC continues to provide excellent healthcare for the community. Suzy LaBuda, CMA Suzy LaBuda CMA- Is a Certified Medical Assistant and our Clinic Manager. Suzy was raised in Big Sandy and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 2010. After highschool, she graduated from Great Falls College-MSU in 2014 with my Associates of Applied Science in Medical Assisting and Associates of General Science. Suzy is certified with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Suzy is married to her amazing husband Ryne and they have 2 beautiful girls, Avery & Emery. Leroy Richardson Leroy Richardson is from Billings MT, Leroy came to Big Sandy in 1986 to work at the IX ranch. He worked there for 12 years until injuries prevented him from ranching any further, ultimately forcing him to leave the ranch. Leroy was hired at Big Sandy Medical Center as the Head of Maintenance in October of 1998 where he also oversees housekeeping duties as well. Leroy will have been here now for 22 years . Dr. Carley Robertson, MD Dr. Robertson has been our Medical Director for several years. She oversees the Medical Staff and provides care for our Nursing Home residents and patients. Dr. Robertson plays a vital role in the services provided to the Big Sandy community. Krystyl Kulbeck, PA-C Krystyl is a Physician Assistant (PA-C), graduating with her Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Physician Assistant from the University of Toledo. She initially worked at a The Toledo Hospital as a surgical PA before coming back to Montana as she was originally born and raised in Twin Bridges, MT. She joined Big Sandy Medical Center in 2013. Since that time she married a local farmer and they are raising 2 young sons. Krystyl has made Big Sandy her home, and she a wonderful addition to the community. Zane Bendig, DNP, NP-C Zane Bendig, doctorate of nursing practice joined the medical group in 2019. Zane comes to us 15 years of prehospital care, sports medicine experience, and emergency care. Zane and his wife are originally from Great Falls, and has relocated to Big Sandy with his family. Ashley Allderdice-Jacobi, BSN, DON Ashley Allderdice-Jacobi BSN, DON is the Director of Nursing of BSMC. Ashley acutally started at BSMC her junior year of high school in our kitchen. Soon after, she became a CNA, and continued to work through holidays and summer breaks throughout her college education. Ashley graduated from Big Sandy High School in 2012, and started her nursing career at Montana Tech in Butte. In 2016 she graduated with her associate’s degree in nursing, followed by her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2018. Ashely spends most of her free time with her 2 kids, Oakley and Colt and husband Jarret. Dusty Allderdice Dusty Allderdice Medical Records, Material Management, Emergency preparedness Dept. Dusty has lived in the Loma/Big Sandy area pretty much her whole life. Dusty has 3 kids Laurence, Weston and Anna along with 4 step kids Mateila, Amanda, Braydon and Lindsey. Dusty started employment at BSMC clinic in 2010 and became an LPT for the radiology department. Over the years Dusty has moved into her current roles. Despite the many hats the she wears, Dusty still continues to provide X-Rays. In 2015 she became an EMT and has been volunteering since with the Big Sandy Ambulance, where she is now the Service Director. "I LOVE our little town and will continue to support the community anyway I can". Kurt Strutz bio to come Lisa Sipler Lisa Sipler Activity Director. Lisa has been a member of the Big Sandy community for over twenty-five years. With her husband from New Jersey, and myself from Colorado, they loved raising their three children in the small town of Big Sandy. Starting as a CNA at the age of eighteen, Lisa later became the Activity Director, making her time with BSMC almost twenty-four years! Lisa finds so much joy in her job, and absolutely adores the memorable times she still continues to share with the residents. At one time Lisa was referred to as the cruise director of BSMC, and she says she doesn’t plan on jumping this ship anytime soon. Make an Appointment Big Sandy Medical Center, Inc. 166 Montana Ave. East PO Box 530 Big Sandy, MT 59520 For Life-Threatening Emergencies Call 911 © 2019 by Big Sandy Medical Center. Proudly created with Wix.com