Gallatin City-County Board of Health

Click each board member’s name for more details.

System Manager of Community Health Improvement and Partnerships, Bozeman Health

  • Appointed by: Bozeman City Commission
  • Term: 01/15/2019 – 01/01/2022
  • Education: B.S. in Community Health, Masters of Public Health
  • Professional Background: Christopher works as the system manager of community health improvement and partnerships with Bozeman Health. He brings years of experience working at the community level to improve health and wellness, with a focus on health equity.
  • When asked why Christopher volunteers for the Board of Health, he said, “I was raised in Montana, and it’s really important to me that our communities are healthy. Serving on the Board of Health is one way I can use my education and experience to give back to Gallatin County and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live and play in communities that promote and facilitate wellness.”

  • Appointed by: County Commission
  • Term: 01/04/2017 – 06/30/2023
  • Member: Environmental Health Subcommittee
  • Education: B.A. in Biological Anthropology and M.A. in Social Anthropology from Stanford University, M.S. in Ecology and Ph.D. in Environmental Health from Montana State University
  • Professional Background: Mari has expertise in metals, nitrate and microbial contamination of water sources, health impacts of climate change, risk assessment, and scientific research. She conducts research in partnership with underserved communities to understand and address environmental threats to public health. Mari has taught college science since 1996 including courses in biology, ecology, environmental science, environmental health, and global health.
  • When asked why Mari volunteers for the Board of Health, she said, “I joined the Board of Health to give back to our community, understanding that community wellbeing and environmental health are inseparable. As an environmental health scientist, I can contribute by researching, integrating, sharing, and discussing research and data relevant to our decisions. I’m committed to advocating for health equity and environmental justice and to supporting the work of our excellent Health Department.”

Details coming soon!

  • Appointed by: County Commission
  • Term:
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Details coming soon!

  • Appointed by: Belgrade City Council
  • BOH Term:
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  • Appointed by: County Commission
  • Term: 02/02/2021 – 06/30/2024
  • Member: Environmental Health Subcommittee
  • Education: A.S. in Engineering from Flathead Community College; B.S. in Civil Engineering from Montana State University
  • Professional Background: Chris has 28 years of professional civil engineering experience and is licensed in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming and North Dakota.
  • When asked why Chris volunteers for the Board of Health, he said, “I felt that having a Civil Engineer on the Board would provide additional diversity and experience, especially when reviewing environmental issues.”

  • Appointed by: Belgrade City Council
  • BOH Term: 1 year
  • Member: Environmental Health Subcommittee
  • Education: BA, Spanish, University of Virginia; MPS, Natural Resources, Cornell University
  • Professional Background: Whitney currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Montana Water Center, a small institute based at MSU that supports research, education, and collaboration on critical water issues across the state. Prior to receiving her Master’s in natural resources, Whitney was an educator and taught Spanish and Environmental Studies for a traveling, adventure-based secondary school.
  • When asked why you volunteer for the Board: I joined the Board of Health with the hope that my expertise and experience in water-related issues can help support the well-being of our county residents and the natural environment upon which we all depend.

  • Appointed by: Belgrade City Council
  • BOH Term: 2 years
  • Member: Environmental Health Subcommittee
  • Education: Bachelor’s Geology, Masters Geology (1974), both at University of Texas, Austin
  • Professional Background: I have been a consulting contaminant hydrogeologist since 1974, practicing in multiple states throughout the U.S. In my early career I was a licensed septic system designer in Washington state. At retirement, I was principal hydrogeologist for Anchor QEA, LLC. I am still working as an on-call technical expert for AQ. I have extensive experience in characterizing and remediating contaminated groundwater for private and public clients at a wide range of industrial sites, landfills, and ports. I am currently licensed in Oregon and Washington. My work over the last 20 years has been primarily at sites where groundwater has contaminated river, lake, and ocean sediments. I have provided expert witness services on projects under the regulatory criteria of CERCLA, RCRA, and various state superfund authorities.
  • When asked why you volunteer for the Board of Health: Throughout my long career I have not had time to work on volunteer boards that serve the public. Now that I am mostly retired I am paying forward in recognition of all the people who have served and will serve. My knowledge of contaminant fate and transport, water quality, and hydrology will hopefully provide a perspective that will be useful to the board and help protect public health.

Research Lead at the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University

  • Appointed by: City of Bozeman
  • Term Expiration: 6/30/2023
  • Education: Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Master’s Degree in Public Health
  • Professional Background: Danika has worked as a health educator, a research assistant, and a public health advocate in Montana. She has a passion for using public health research to promote community health and health equity.
  • When asked why she volunteers for the Board of Health, Danika said, “Health impacts all aspects of our lives. From work to how we recreate, how we feel impacts our ability to contribute to our communities. I am grateful at the opportunity to use my education and my experience in public health to give back to the community and promote public health in Gallatin County.”

  • Appointed by: City of Bozeman
  • Term Expiration: 6/30/2024
  • Education:
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  • When asked why he volunteers for the Board of Health,

Gallatin City-County Board of Health Administrative Staff

  • Lori Christenson, Health Officer
  • Anna Snyder, Director of Health Provision
  • Kelly Keenan, Director of Prevention Services
  • Travis Horton, Environmental Health Director

About the Board

The City-County Board of Health is created under an Interlocal Agreement between Gallatin County, the City of Belgrade, and the City of Bozeman, dated June 2022, pursuant to Sections 7-11-101 through 7-11-108, M.C.A.

The Board is:

The City-County Board of Health shall be known as the “Gallatin City-County Board of Health.” The City-County Board of health shall be composed of nine members:

  • One County Commissioner or County designee
  • One Bozeman City Commissioner or Bozeman designee
  • One Belgrade City Council Member or Belgrade designee
  • Two members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (in addition to the commissioner or county designee described above)
  • Two members appointed by the Bozeman City commissioners (in addition to the commissioner or city designee described above)
  • Two members appointed by the Belgrade City Council (in addition to the council member or designee described above)

For board member terms, see section 5 of the Interlocal Agreement linked below.

Governing Body:

The Governing Body of the City-Council Board of Health is comprised of the Board of County Commissioners, one Bozeman City Commissioner, and one Belgrade City Council Member. At least two concurring votes of the Board of County Commissioners and at least one concurring vote of either the Bozeman City Commission or Belgrade City Council shall be required for the passage of any decision by the Governing Body.

The Health Department operates under the County and its personnel manual.

For additional information, contact the Gallatin City-County Health Department at 406-582-3100.

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