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Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

Glenn McFarlaneChief Executive Officer of Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch
Glenn McFarlane was appointed as CEO of YBGR in October 2006 after the previous CEO resigned for medical reasons. Before accepting the position of CEO, Glenn had worked for YBGR for 16 years as the director of marketing and had been the chief financial officer since 1992. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. The CEO is a voting member of the YBGR board.

Erin Amato, MDMedical Director for Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

Dr. Amato was raised in Billings, Montana and attended medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Amato was awarded the Lillian Orchow Prize for Outstanding Student in Psychiatry and was designated as an AMA Foundation Rock Sleyster Scholar.

She completed her internship and residency in general psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York. She then pursued fellowship training in child and adolescent psychiatry through the NSLIJHS-Albert Einstein College of Medicine program in New Hyde Park, NY. She served as the chief fellow during the second year of the fellowship and was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award upon completion of her program.

After finishing her child psychiatry fellowship, Dr. Amato returned to Billings with her family to start clinical practice. In addition to working with youth and families at YBGR, she sees patients in private practice at Montana Psychiatry. Dr. Amato is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and represents Montana and surrounding western states at the national level in AACAP’s general assembly.

Dr. Amato has double board certification in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.

Community Based Services

Shawn Byrne, MSWChief Operating Officer for Community Based Services
Shawn Byrne has a bachelor’s degree from MSU-B in Organizational Communications and Psychology and a Masters of Social Work degree from Walla Walla University. He currently serves YBGR as the Chief Operating Officer for Community Based Services. Shawn has over 25 years in the mental health and human service field.

Paula A. Ekle, LCPCClinical Director for Community Based Services
Paula obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Montana State University-Billings. She has been working with children in a professional capacity since 1991, and earned her clinical professional counselor licensure in 1993. Training with Elisabeth Kubler-Ross., M.D., expanded her knowledge of grief and its resulting complications as it pertains to children and families. She joined the YBGR team in 2000 as a therapist, and has been the clinical director at Community Based Services since 2005.

Residential Programs

Kris VogeleChief Operating Officer for Residential Programs

Raised on a ranch in southern Montana, Kris has an understanding and appreciation for the many benefits Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch provides for youth in developing a strong purpose and self-worth in an environment that promotes and encourages healing. Kris has served as the Chief Operating Officer for YBGR’s Residential Division since 2008 and prior to that, he served as a Director at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA. He also serves on the Board of Yellowstone Academy, District #58 and as a cancer survivor, enjoys annual involvement in Relay for Life.  Married to his wife Elizabeth for 23 years, they live on campus and enjoy being a part of the community with their three children.  Kris enjoys fly fishing, baseball and activities with family.   He is most excited about the impact YBGR’s residential treatment has on youth and families through the excellent clinical and educational programs integrated with the life & vocational experiences allowing each youth to encounter a positive, strengths-based approach toward their personal success.

 

 

Laura M. Wendlandt, Ph.D.Director of Clinical Services for Residential Programs
Dr. Wendlandt is a licensed psychologist in Montana and Nevada, as well as credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She recently earned a post doctoral masters of science degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Dr. Wendlandt comes to us with management and clinical expertise honed over the years from various positions. She was the Vice-Chair for the State of Nevada, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry in Las Vegas and practiced privately as a psychologist. She managed various outpatient mental health centers and has been an adjunct professor for state and private college and university systems. Most recently, Dr. Wendlandt was the Mental Health Consultant, Psychologist for Montana’s Office of the State Public Defender.

Belinda Hartley, MDStaff Psychiatrist for Residential Programs

Dr. Hartley was born in Indiana and spent most of her life in Louisville, Kentucky. Before attending medical school, Dr. Hartley worked as a Physician Assistant for two years in surgery and then 8 years in primary care medicine. Her medical background has helped to provide a well rounded approach to the practice of psychiatry.

Graduation from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1997 was followed by a 4 year psychiatric residency program where she was awarded Resident of the Year during her final Year. Dr. Hartley then joined the faculty of the University of Louisville School of Medicine as an instructor, clinician and researcher. Working closely with her mentors and with funding from the National Institute of Health, Dr. Hartley’s additional training was focused on the areas of depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression. She continues to enjoy working to provide safe psychiatric treatment for women of childbearing years.

Dr. Hartley moved to Montana in 2002 to begin working in our community and enjoying all the wonderful outdoor activities that Montana offers. She continues to specialize in working with women to keep them emotionally healthy throughout their pregnancies and after their babies are born. She also enjoys treating both men and women with myriad mental health concerns including Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In addition to working with youth and families at YBGR, Dr. Hartley also treats patients through her private practice at Montana Psychiatry.

Deborah Malters, MDStaff Psychiatrist for Residential Programs

Dr. Malters was born in the Midwest and raised in Southern California. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego graduating with degrees in Biology and Spanish. Dr. Malters completed her medical doctorate at The Chicago Medical School and did a one year internship in internal medicine at Illinois Masonic Hospital.

Dr. Malters moved to California where she did her residency in general psychiatry at LA County Hospital/University of Southern California. After completing her residency training, Dr. Malters did a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Dr. Malters has been working in Billings since l998. Her professional experiences have included being in a solo private practice and a group practice affiliated with St. Vincent Hospital before joining Montana Psychiatry. She has been medical director for Youth Dynamics of Montana and has had the pleasure of watching it grow to cover youth in need across the state. She is currently in private practice through Montana Psychiatry in addition to working with youth and families at YBGR.

She has double board certification in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.