Contributing to the Planetree philosophy, Dr. White is eager to promote ways to encourage the growth of patient-centered and family-centered care.

“The Hospital Board, physicians and staff at North Valley Hospital focus on providing excellent patient care,” White said. “This is what the hospital is known for and what patients deserve. I’m looking forward to supporting these efforts in a leadership capacity and helping ensure that our patients’ healing processes are with dignity, knowledge and warmth.”

Choosing to specialize in internal medicine was an easy choice for Dr. White. While she loved surgery, she missed the long-term physician-patient relationship medicine offers. She explained that internal medicine is a puzzle. When an Internist is presented with a medical issue, they draw on their knowledge and resources to figure out how to help someone feel better. “It’s a challenge with a good end,” she said.

Dr. White received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency at the Virginia Mason Medical Center. She lived in Seattle for 25 years where she practiced prior to moving to the Flathead Valley in 2004. Dr. White chose the Flathead because it was important for her to mirror her joy of medicine with her love for the outdoors.

“This is an outstanding medical community to work with, and all the things I love to do are out my back door,” she said.

When not with patients, Dr. White loves doing anything outside including fly fishing, rafting, adventure motorcycling, golfing, kayaking and downhill skiing. She has four dogs, one of which is a certified therapy dog that makes rounds visiting patients at NVH.

Dr. White supersedes Richard Friedman, MD. Jennie Eckstrom, MD, is Vice Chair and David Nichols, MD, is Secretary.