32nd Annual Magic City Sports Medicine Conference
May 20th, 2023
Theme: Contact Sports
Jim Elliott, MD
A native of Montana, Dr. Elliott received his medical degree from The University of Washington School of Medicine through the WWAMI program after completing his undergraduate at Carroll College. He then completed an orthopedic residency at the University Of Chicago Medical Center. Lastly, Dr. Elliott completed fellowship programs in Sports Medicine at the Cincinnati Sportsmedicine and Orthopaedic Center, and Adult Foot and Ankle fellowship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Elliott and his AMP/Sports medicine partners are team physicians for Montana State University – Billings, Rocky Mountain College, Billings School District II, Billings Central High School, Laurel High School and Lockwood High School.
Dr. Elliott’s practice focuses on Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Knee, Shoulder and Ankle with emphasis on Sports medicine and Cartilage Restoration and Preservation.
Laura Opestedal, DPT
Laura began her physical therapy career in 2001 after graduating from University of Puget Sound in her hometown of Tacoma, WA. She is dual board certified in Orthopedics & Sports, shared by very few practitioners. Laura has extensive expertise in sports injuries, predominately ACL and knee injuries. Her 20-year career has provided many opportunities for unusual cases, complex cases, surgical revisions and really anything one can think of. She has worked with novice, recreational, high school, division 1, elite and professional athletes. As her caseload became referral and word-of-mouth only, she felt supported enough to open Build Physio & Performance in 2019.
Laura has cultivated a welcoming environment at Build Physio & Performance to exceed the needs and expectations of our community. As a huge proponent of mental health, she views injuries beyond the “tissue” level. Her experience has led her to manage the person as a whole, and not the injury (lessons learned working with children!).
Tyler Clark, MD
Dr. Clark received his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He then completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Lastly, he completed a North American Spine Society fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the prestigious University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dr. Clark is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and completed specialized fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Dr. Clark focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions, with an emphasis on improving function and quality of life. He has expertise in the care of musculoskeletal injuries such as arthritis and overuse injuries, as well as neck and back pain with and without pain radiating to the arms or legs.
Steve Klepps, MD
Dr. Klepps, MD received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO after completing his undergrad at Carroll College in Helena, MT. He then performed a surgical internship at the Washington University/Barnes Hospital and followed that training with an orthopedic residency also at the Washington University. Lastly, Dr. Klepps completed a fellowship program in Shoulder and Elbow disorders at Mount Sinaii Hospital in New York City, NY.
Dr. Klepps is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Montana Medical Association, American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) as well as the Association of Clinical Elbow and Shoulder Surgeons (ACESS).
Dr. Klepps’ practice focuses on the complete care of shoulder and elbow injuries as well as sports knee injuries.
Eric Neal, MD
Dr. Neal was raised in northern Florida as the oldest of four boys. He discovered his passion for medicine while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force working in the hospital laboratory. It was during this time that he also developed his love of the American West while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He completed his undergraduate degree in microbiology and cell science at the University of Florida, medical school at the University of Colorado, orthopedic surgery residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center, and additional fellowship subspecialization training in hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery at the University of Arizona. During his fellowship he trained under both orthopedic and plastic surgeons, performing the latest shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand reconstructive techniques, including minimally invasive arthroscopic and endoscopic procedures.
Dr. Neal is board eligible by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a candidate member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand as well as pending candidate membership with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons
Dr. Neal’s practice focuses on complete care of the upper extremity, from shoulder to fingertip. This includes degenerative conditions such as arthritis, as well as traumatic injuries to bones, joints, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.
Heather Hansen, MD
Dr. Hansen, MD received her medical degree from The University of Saskatchewan after completing her undergrad there as well. She then performed an orthopedic residency also at the University of Saskatchewan.
Lastly Dr. Hansen completed a diverse fellowship program in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Brown University in Rhode Island.
Dr. Hansen is board eligible by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and board certified with the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr Hansen’s practice focuses on complete care of the growing child from birth to adulthood. This includes fractures, sports injuries, spinal disorders, and congenital abnormalities
Josh Bowler, MD
Dr. Bowler, MD received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate degree in Physiology and Developmental Biology from Brigham Young University. He then performed a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Bowler then chose to complete a specialized fellowship program in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at The Ohio State University’s Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute where he worked with athletes from across Ohio State Athletics.
Dr. Bowler’s practice focuses on the complete care of complex shoulder, hip and knee injuries and conditions. These include minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, advanced cartilage restoration, joint stabilization and ligamentous reconstructions. Dr. Bowler also treats athletic injuries of all types and ages from weekend warriors to competitive student-athletes and everything in-between.
Ben Phipps, MD
Dr. Phipps received his medical degree from The University of Minnesota School of Medicine after completing his undergrad at University of Minnesota-Duluth. He completed a Family Medicine residency with Sports and Wilderness Medicine emphasis and served as chief resident at Montana Family Medicine Residency. He has also completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship.
Dr. Phipps is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine with Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.
Dr. Phipps practice focuses on complete care of the athlete from injury prevention to the treatment of the athlete. He sees the common orthopedic injuries from sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations to medical ailments of athletes including sports related concussion management. Dr. Phipps utilizes musculoskeletal ultrasound techniques for diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
William Charlton, MS4
William is a medical student from the University of Washington who is completing a rotation at Ortho Montana.
Anna Kasperick, RD
Anna is the Athletic Medicine and Performance nutrition advisor through Beartooth Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer. She is a graduate of the University of Wyoming. Anna completed her clinical internship through Montana State University.
Jodie Smith, ATC
Jodie is an athletic trainer at Ortho Montana/AMP. She is a graduate of the University of Montana. Jodie specializes in outreach athletic training taking care of athletes all around the Billings area. She is also a certified strength and conditioning coach and a CPR/first aid instructor.
Lauren Hasquet, DPT
Lauren Hasquet was born in Roseau, MN and grew up in Billings, MT after moving here at the age of four, She is a graduate of Skyview High School. Lauren attended and received her Bachelor’s from the University of Montana where she played for the Grizzly volleyball team. She then went on to the University of Mary, where she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2013. Lauren has been with Ortho Montana working at our Heights clinic since 2018. She enjoys treating all orthopedic conditions, women’s health, and vestibular issues.