Medical Staff

Dr. Jacinta Klindworth began her practice in Beulah in June 2003 and has been with Coal County Community Health Center — Beulah Clinic since its inception in December 2003.

Dr. Klindworth is Board Certified in Family Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, and completed her Family Medicine Internship and Residency at the UND Center for Family Medicine in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Dr. Klindworth is currently the president of the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians and is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of North Dakota. Locally, she serves as Chief of Medical Staff at Sakakawea Medical Center in Hazen, North Dakota, and serves on the Beulah Wellness Center Foundation, Beulah, North Dakota.

Dr. Klindworth has been the recipient of the Best Doctors in America Award in 2012, 2013 and 2017. In 2019, she was awarded the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians ‐ Family Physician of the Year.

Dr. Schmit, Staff Surgeon at Sakakawea Medical Center specializes in general, trauma, bariatric, and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Schmit received his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, attended Minot State University where he graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and completed his surgical residency at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine.

A native of Minot, North Dakota, Dr. Schmit is a Fellow member of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Medical Association and a member of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Dr. Kaspari provides care in the emergency room at Sakakawea Medical Center.

Kim Myklebust, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, has been practicing at Sakakawea Medical Center since November 2016. Kim sees patients in the Emergency Room at Sakakawea Medical Center.

Kim graduated from the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Mary in May 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at Dickinson State University. Kim previously worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Room and clinic in Oakes, North Dakota before coming to SMC.

Dr. Aaron Garman began his practice at Coal Country Community Health Center upon inception in December 2003. He is from Williston, ND and attended the University of North Dakota where he received his Doctorate of Medicine Degree. Dr. Garman is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has obtained his certification of added qualifications in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Dr. Garman has been the recipient of the Best Doctors in America award every year from 2008‐2020 and has served on numerous national Technical Expert Panels for CMS and co?chaired the National Quality Forum's Rural Healthcare MAP. He is the past president of the ND Academy of Family Medicine and was awarded the North Dakota Family Physician of the year award in 2015. In 2015, he was also awarded the North Dakota Rural Provider of the Year from the Center for Rural Health. Dr. Garman is on the Quality Healthcare Associated Board of Directors.

Dr. Garman serves as Medical Director for Coal Country Community Health Center and continues to teach medical students and residents through the University of North Dakota as a clinical faculty member.

Dr. Michelle Placke began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in August of 2016. She currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

Dr. Placke is from Beulah, ND. She completed her undergraduate studies at Texas — University in College Station, TX, and then attended the University of Texas Medical School at Houston where she received her Doctorate of Medicine Degree. Dr. Placke completed her residency at Altru Family Medicine in Grand Forks, ND, and was the recipient of the 2016 William M. Buckingham, MD Outstanding Resident Award from the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Placke is the Medical Director of Knife River Care Center and the Medical Director of Sakakawea Hospice. She has also served as a Board Member of the North Dakota Academy of Family Physicians since 2017. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids hunting, swimming, fishing, and spending time at the lake.

Dr. Kelsey Lambrecht-Wiseman began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in September 2021. She currently practices at the Hazen Clinic.

Dr. Lambrecht-Wiseman is originally from Tioga, North Dakota. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology at University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, then attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where she received her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Lambrecht-Wiseman completed her internship at Spokane Teaching Health Clinic in Spokane, Washington. In June 2021, she completed her residency at Spokane Teaching Health Clinic (Rural Training Track) in Colville, Washington. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Lambrecht-Wiseman enjoys hiking, fishing, reading, and spending time with family.

Dr. Ann Ruffo began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in September 2022. She currently practices at the Hazen Clinic.

Dr. Ruffo completed her undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, and then attended the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest where she received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree. Dr. Ruffo completed her internship and family medicine residency at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 2012-2013 she received a Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Dr. Ruffo enjoys cross country skiing, hobby farming, hunting, fishing, and spending time with her children.

Dr. Rodney Zimmerman has been practicing in the Hazen/Beulah area since November 2009. He currently practices at the CCCHC Hazen Clinic.

Dr. Zimmerman was raised on the family farm, near Streeter/Napoleon, North Dakota. He graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He completed a Family Medicine Residency at the University of Minnesota. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Zimmerman served as a Missionary Doctor at Mbingo Baptist Hospital and Banso Baptist Hospital in Africa for almost 30 years. Dr. Zimmerman enjoys farming, horses, hiking and continues to be interested in mission work.

Cassandra Altringer, Certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, has been practicing at the CCCHC Killdeer Clinic since June of 2016.

Cassandra completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree in April 2016 from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota and completed her residency with the Mayo Clinic Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. Prior to that, Cassandra obtained her practical nursing and Associate Degree in nursing from Southeast Technical College, Red Wing, MN and her bachelor’s Degree in nursing at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN.

Cassandra is board certified and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Cassandra enjoys hiking and spending time with family.

Abbey Pelton, Certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in September 2020. She currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

Abbey earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Mary in April 2020. She is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a professional member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to this, Abbey earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Mary in 2013 and worked as a Medical/Oncology nurse at CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and as a Chronic Care Coordinator/Manager at CCCHC in Killdeer.

Kelsey Striefel, Certified Doctor of Nursing Practice, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in September of 2018. She currently practices at the Hazen Clinic.

Kelsey earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from North Dakota State University in May of 2018. She is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a professional member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to this, Kelsey earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Medcenter One College of Nursing in 2013 and worked as an Emergency Department nurse at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Deb Sailer, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, has been practicing at Coal Country Community Health Centers since July 2011. She currently practices at the Center Clinic.

Deb received her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Mary in April 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary in 1998. Deb is board certified and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to joining CCCHC, Deb worked as a Registered Nurse at Sakakawea Medical Center, Custer Health, St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck and Unimed Hospital in Minot, ND.

Deb enjoys camping and rodeo with her family.

Robert Volk, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, began practicing in the Beulah/Hazen area since 2006. He currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

Prior to joining CCCHC, Robert practiced for many years at the Sakakawea Hazen Clinic in Hazen, North Dakota. Prior to moving to the area, he worked in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit of Trinity Health Care in Minot, ND for four years. Robert graduated from the University of Mary in 2006 with his Family Nurse Practitioner Degree and earned his bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Minot State University in 2002. He is board certified and a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Robert likes being involved in all of the activities that the Beulah community has to offer. He is currently the Beulah Park District President. He is also active in many local civic groups. In his free time, Robert enjoys spending time with his family, recreational sports, hunting and woodworking.

Keri Baumberger, Certified Physician Assistant, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in August 2020. She currently practices at the Hazen Clinic.

Keri is originally from McIntosh, South Dakota. Keri received a bachelor’s degree in clinical lab science from the University of Mary in 2015. She then attended University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2017. Keri is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Prior to working at CCCHC, Keri practiced Family Medicine in Lisbon, North Dakota, for 2.5 years.

Keri enjoys recreational sports, running, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Jenny Brown, Certified Physician Assistant, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in January 2022. She currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

Jenny received her Associate in Science degree from Bismarck State College in 2012 and her Bachelor in Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Dakota in 2014. In May of 2019, she graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Jenny is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants. Prior to practicing at CCCHC, Jenny worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mid Dakota Clinic Center for Women in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Jenny enjoys baking, golfing with her family, playing pinochle, and playing volleyball.

Britta Julson, MPAS, PA-C began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center and Sakakawea Medical Center in June of 2019. She currently practices at the CCCHC Killdeer Clinic, as well as providing services in the Emergency Room at SMC in Hazen.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Pre-Medicine from South Dakota State University in 2011. Britta worked as a Paramedic and an EMT in Brookings, South Dakota prior to graduating with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies degree from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2017. She is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of PAs and the ND Board of Medicine. Prior to CCCHC, Britta worked for Rural Health Care Inc. in Gettysburg, South Dakota.

Britta enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, gardening, running and working out.

Kayla Olson, Certified Physician Assistant, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in 2014. She currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

Kayla grew up in Mott, ND and went on to receive her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Clinical Lab Science at the University of North Dakota in 2009. In 2013 she graduated with a Masters from the University of South Dakota Physician Assistant Studies Program. Kayla is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants, and SDAPA South Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants.

Kayla Ternes, Certified Physician Assistant, MPAS, began practicing at Coal Country Community Health Center in September of 2018. She currently practices at the Beulah Clinic.

She is originally from Mandan, ND and received her undergraduate degree of Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota in 2012. She worked at both Sanford Health in Bismarck and Altru Health System in Grand Forks in this field for three years before being accepted into the Physician Assistant Program through the University of North Dakota. In May of 2018, she graduated with a Master in Physician Assistant Studies degree and is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants.