Speakers
Ashley Brewer, PT, DPT
Ashley Brewer, PT, DPT has been working as a physical therapist for six years, with the past four years being in the inpatient rehab setting. She moved to Great Falls after graduating from PT school from the University of Lynchburg, located in Virginia in 2020. She enjoys working with patients who have a variety of neurological conditions, including strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. Ashley also works closely with the Assistive Technology Professionals in the area to help people in the community be fitted for an obtain complex durable medical equipment. When not at work, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and dog, skiing, hiking, running, and traveling.
Dr. Marc Fisher
Dr. Fisher has been active in the stroke field for 48 years. He continues to see patients and do telemedicine consults for acute stroke patients. His research has focused on the development of acute stroke therapies and he currently consults for several companies who are developing neuroprotective therapies. He has published more than 380 peer reviewed publications. He previously was the editor-in-chief of the journal Stroke from 2010-2020 and was the president of the World Stroke Organization from 2020-2022. He is currently a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.
Erin Christman, ASN, RN
Erin worked in EMS for 10 years in Colorado; after moving to Montana and graduating from nursing school in 2018, she has worked on various inpatient nursing wards, where she developed a strong clinical foundation and gaining broad clinical experience across multiple units. For the past three years, she has been the Stroke Coordinator at Benefis Health System, combining clinical expertise with a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration to improve stroke patient outcomes, quality improvement, supporting care teams, and advocating for patients throughout their recovery journey.
Joani Guzman
Joani Guzman has spent the past nine years with the American Heart Association, where she leads statewide healthcare initiatives focused on strengthening systems of care and reducing gaps in rural health access. With experience in stroke systems, EMS collaboration, and rural hospital capacity-building, she is committed to advancing equitable, high-quality care for underserved communities. Joani holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently pursuing her MBA at Louisiana State University–Shreveport, further expanding her expertise in healthcare leadership and strategy.
Joshua Knappenberger, MD
Dr. Knappenberger is a neuro-hospitalist who works at Bozeman Health and serves as stroke director at Deaconess Hospital and Big Sky Medical Center. He went to medical school at the University of Utah, did his residency at the University of Washington, with a clinical fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at the University of Vermont and a year of postdoctoral work at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel.
Kurt Lindsay, MD
Kurt Lindsay, MD, returned to the Flathead Valley from Oregon Health & Science University in 2009, where he worked at the Oregon Stroke Center within the department of neurology. He was born and raised in the Flathead Valley and always hoped to return after his training. Dr. Lindsay was valedictorian of his graduating class at Flathead High School before earning his Bachelor of Science from Stanford University and then a Master of Science in cancer biology at Boise State University. He attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and was awarded a fellowship in vascular neurology (stroke) in 2009. While Dr. Lindsay treats a variety of general neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, he specializes in the care of stroke patients. Dr. Lindsay serves as medical director of Logan Health’s growing stroke and Telestroke programs. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Lindsay enjoys time with his young daughters and is an avid photographer - capturing the natural beauty of northwest Montana’s wildlife and landscape.
Bridget Loomis, M.S., CCC-SLP
Bridget Loomis, M.S., CCC-SLP has nearly 10 years' experience as a speech-language pathologist. After graduating with her master's degree from the University of Montana in 2016, she moved back to her hometown here in Great Falls and accepted a job at Benefis Health System. Her professional interest areas include dysphagia, voice, head and neck cancer, and stroke. She co-led implementation of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) system-wide and continues to promote procedural change and process improvement regarding instrumental swallow studies within the hospital system. When she is not at work, she is spending time with her husband and two sons, playing volleyball, getting outside, or sitting down with a good book.
James MacNutt, DO, FACS, MHCDS
Dr. James MacNutt is a board-certified neurosurgeon who provides care for patients with a variety of neurological and spinal conditions that require surgical intervention.
Serving as the endpoint of what can often be a long medical journey is a point of pride for Dr. MacNutt. He provides medical advice and treatment options that are in the best interest of his patients, helping them move forward while employing a down-to-earth communication style.
Outside of his practice, Dr. MacNutt enjoys outdoor activities during all seasons. His favorites include snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hockey, curling, and hiking.
Amber Massey, BSN, RN, CEN
Amber Massey, BSN, RN, CEN has nearly 17 years of nursing experience with her primarily in critical access hospitals and emergency departments. She's passionate about teaching and continuing education, supporting colleagues through learning, mentorship, and professional development. Outside of work, Amber can usually be found with her family, outdoors, or planning her next trip with a good book in the mix.
Brittany Mayfield, MD
Brittany Mayfield, MD is an Emergency Physician and Medical Director of Benefis Emergency Services and Great Falls Fire Rescue, and serves as Director of Undergraduate Medical Education at Benefis Health System. She obtained her medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and completed her Emergency Medicine residency at Vanderbilt University. Brittany has worked at Benefis for nearly a decade and has served in director roles for the past 2.5 years. She is deeply committed to providing high-quality emergency care, supporting first responders, and training the next generation of physicians to serve Montana communities.
Alysia Mosness, RN
Alysia M. Mosness, RN, brings 20 years of nursing experience to her role as Director of ICU, ER, and Infection Prevention at Northern Montana Health Care. The majority of her career has been dedicated to Emergency Medicine, where she developed deep clinical expertise before transitioning into nursing leadership. Alysia is committed to advancing patient safety, supporting staff development, and strengthening high‑quality care delivery in rural health settings.
Tom Price, RN, BSN
Tom Price is the Director of Critical Care at Bitterroot Health. With nearly four years of experience at Bitterroot Health, Tom is deeply committed to providing top-notch healthcare in his community. Tom’s journey to Montana was fueled by a passion for mountain biking and a desire to be close to family. Prior to joining Bitterroot Health, Tom served as the Emergency Room Director at Alaska Regional and gained valuable experience in the Burn Trauma ICU at the University of Utah. Both in Alaska and in Montana, Tom as worked alongside dedicated professionals to standardize stroke care protocols, emphasizing the same urgency as with trauma cases. This commitment has led to tangible improvements, notably reducing our door-to-needle and door-to-transport times, ultimately enhancing outcomes for those served.
Marcus Thune, OT
Originally from Bismarck, I’ve spent the past six years living in Great Falls, where I currently serve as the Lead Occupational Therapist in the acute therapy department at Benefis Health System. I am passionate about stroke recovery, inspired by having multiple family members who have suffered strokes in the past. That personal connection has driven my dedication to helping patients regain independence and improve quality of life following neurological injury.
My clinical specialties include stroke rehabilitation, lymphedema management, and advancing early mobility initiatives through implementation of the Johns Hopkins Medicine ICU Mobility Program within the Benefis ICU. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time fly fishing, golfing, watching sports, and enjoying time outdoors.