Five psychiatric providers from Montana Psychiatry are joining the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch’s medical team as independent contractors, effective January 6.

Erin Amato, MD, a child psychiatrist, will serve as the Ranch’s medical director. She has double board certification in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Deborah Malters, MD, and Belinda Hartley, MD, will also be practicing at the Ranch. The three psychiatrists are replacing Dr. Stephen Mandler, who left YBGR as the medical director on January 5.

“I’m looking forward to leading such a dynamic psychiatric team at YBGR,” said Amato, a Billings native. “Early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders is essential in promoting healthy development. That’s what we’ll strive to do for the youth of YBGR.”

The Ranch is also welcoming Kelli Begley, a family psychiatric nurse practitioner, as well as Pat Francisco, a psychiatric physician’s assistant. Both Begley and Francisco are members of the Montana Psychiatry group.

“We are excited to bring on board such highly qualified, caring medical staff,” said Kevin Miller, the interim CEO of YBGR. “Families send their children to YBGR from all across the United States. We will continue to provide nothing but the best psychiatric treatment for them.”

Montana State Fund is presenting Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch with a dividend of $95,279.68. The check is being presented to YBGR as a result of proven results by implementing a successful culture of safety during the 2013-14 policy year.

“The safety of youth and employees at YBGR is our utmost priority,” said Sally Venard, the safety director at YBGR. “Reflective care and regular training in de-escalation techniques are major contributing factors to fewer injuries on our campus.”

Montana State Fund, the largest workers’ compensation insurance carrier in Montana, declared a record $35 million dividend in November. The dividend returns a portion of premiums back to those policyholders who have made a commitment to provide a safe workplace for their employees and, in turn, lower injury rates. Since 1999, MSF has returned more than $141 million to policyholders through the dividend process.