Hospital's new doctor's heart is with her patients

Nichols joins Clark Fork Valley Hospital

Moving from a large medical practice in sunny Orlando, Fla., to Plains in the dead of winter didn't phase Clark Fork Valley Hospital's new cardiologist. In fact, Dr. Sharon A. Nichols said her heart has always been with her patients, and she is ready to embrace her new role as a neighbor and small-town doctor.

"This is something I've always wanted to do - be in a smaller community," said Nichols, a graduate of Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine with a Doctor of Osteopathy degree. "Being a small-town doctor is kind of a cool thing. The one-on-one, non-diluted doctor thing is wonderful."

Nichols, who lives with her family in Plains, is now at the helm of Clark Fork Valley Hospital's outpatient cardiology clinic. Nichols said she will be seeing patients for illnesses and preventative care and will do consults for primary care doctors and inpatient consultations. She will also be working through the hospital's emergency room for heart attacks and other cases.

Nichols said she is the only cardiologist in three counties, and was working with three new patients on her third day at the hospital. She began at Clark Fork Valley Hospital last Monday, and will spend two full days and two additional part-time days in Plains each week. She will also work at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.

Prior to accepting the position in Plains, Nichols was one of 14 partners at the Central Florida Cardiology Group - part of a 2,000 bed hospital system.

Nichols was co-chair of the department of cardiology and led the group's ethics committee. Nichols said Florida's medical climate is changing and is now "highly directed" by managed care such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). Managed care, she said, has "ruined medicine" and "driven a wedge between the doctor and patient." In Montana, however, medical care is private, she said.

Nichols obtained her bachelor of science degree in nursing from St. Francis College in 1985, at which point she worked toward her premed requirements. She received her medical degree in 1990, and completed a rotating medicine internship and her internal medicine residency in New Jersey.

Nichols said her objectives include promoting heart health, working to obtain American Heart Association accreditation for Clark Fork Valley Hospital and starting a cardiac support group called Mended Hearts. Nichols said she will work and travel with her own team - a nurse and clerical staff member.

Nichols said her transition to Montana was driven in part by her desire to spend more time with her husband, Ed Hanke, and her 13-year-old daughter Kristel, an 8th grade student at Plains Middle School.

Plains, she said, offered her family a "calmer, safer environment." Nichols and her family have 16 pets - all of whom made the trip from Florida - and are looking forward to enjoying outdoor activities, particularly skiing.