A new leader will be the link between North Valley Hospital’s clinical staff and the people steering the Whitefish hospital’s future.

Registered Nurse Amy Vanterpool has accepted the hospital’s role of chief clinical officer. In the position, she will oversee 250 employees.

“I have worked in the Kalispell Regional Healthcare System for almost two decades, and as a Whitefish resident, I am glad to come to North Valley Hospital and work directly with the Whitefish community,” Vanterpool said.

Before the transition, Vanterpool served as a clinical manager at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She has 20 years of experience in nursing leadership roles, and has spent the last 17 years of her career in the Flathead Valley.

Vanterpool is also a certified emergency nurse and a certified flight registered nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Montana State University – Northern.

Vanterpool said she views her new role as an advocate for the hospital’s clinical staff and to represent their needs and goals to higher hospital leadership.

“I look forward to learning more about the Planetree philosophy at North Valley Hospital, and integrating into the culture here,” she said.

Planetree International is an independent nonprofit organization that helps hospitals implement patient-centered care.

NORTH VALLEY Hospital also filled the one-year term as the chief of staff with Dr. Michael Henson.

Henson will work as a liaison for physicians to the board and alternatively will also discuss board decisions with medical staff.

Henson was nominated for the position by the hospital medical staff. The position is focused on personnel and building staff and board relationships, in addition to facilitating physician meetings.

Certified as a radiologist by the American Board of Radiology, Henson is on staff with Northwest Imaging, where he’s worked since 2004.

He earned his medical degree at Albany Medical College in New York followed by radiology residency at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Henson succeeds Dr. Ryan Gunlikson, whose term ended on July 1.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at [email protected].