Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic billings montana and cody wyoming

Dr. James L. "Bo" Johnson II, MD, FACS

Dr. Johnson, founder of the Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic, is a board-certified general surgeon and was the first physician in Montana and Wyoming to have gained his accreditation as a board-certified phlebologist (see Press Release). He began doing Endovenous Laser Therapy in 2004, and has successfully performed over a thousand of these new, state-of-the-art procedures. Dr. Johnson, a third-generation physician, is known for his dedicated and compassionate care of patients and his medical professionalism. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and member of the American College of Phlebology. Dr. Johnson believes strongly in giving back and dedicates two weeks out of each year to travel to third-world countries to provide a full range of medical care. To learn more about his latest venture with Amiga de Salud, where he traveled with his son to Ecuador, please read the attached press release. Dr. Johnson and his wife Deborah, a pharmacist, have four children and reside in Cody, Wyoming.

Dr. Travis Stratford, MD

Dr. Stratford is a Montana native, having grown up in Missoula. He played football at the University of Utah where he graduated with honors in 1994. He graduated from Oregon Health Sciences University medical school in 2000. He has a passion for third world medicine. He spent nearly a year in Nepal performing surgeries in Kathmandu and setting up clinics in mountain villages. After his Radiology Residency at OHSU, he completed an Interventional Radiology fellowship at the Dotter Institute in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Stratford began treating venous diseases in 2005 where he learned techniques and therapies from some of the world’s Interventional Radiology pioneers. He is board certified in Radiology and is a member of the American College of Radiology as well as the Society of Interventional Radiology. A dedicated husband and family man, his hobbies Include snow skiing, water skiing, and packing into Montana’s backcountry on horseback.

Dr. Robert T. Ruble, MD

Dr. Ruble has lived in Billings since 1974. Originally from Denver, Colorado, he attended Stanford University on a National Merit Scholarship, receiving a BS degree with honors. He then attended the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where he was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. Dr Ruble’s internship and residency were in anesthesiology at the University of Oregon. Board-certified in anesthesiology, the majority of his career specialized in cardiac and thoracic anesthesia, at both Billings hospitals. He served terms as chairman of the anesthesia department and as chief of staff at Deaconess Hospital, and as head of the subsection of cardiac anesthesia at St. Vincent. He joined the RMVC in January 2010, finding the new vein treatments to be a natural extension of skills developed during his practice of anesthesiology. He and his wife Sheila live out of town with a small pack of dogs, two horses, a beleaguered cat, and a goldfish in the stock tank. They have two daughters, one teaching art at a New York university, and the other practicing law part time while being a mom full-time. His interests include hunting, photography, and genealogy.

Valerie Wilson, Office Coordinator

Valerie is a native of Billings, MT. She is a graduate of Billings West High School and lives in the area with her husband and two sons. Prior to joining RMVC, Valerie managed a physical therapy office in Eagle, Idaho. She will be the person that will greet you when you contact or visit our offices.

Deborah Johnson , Pharm D, Clinical Specialist

Deborah graduated from Creighton University in 1992 with a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy. She has practiced in a variety of settings, including Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacist on the Renal Transplant Team at The University of Wisconsin, and most recently Adjunct Professor/Clinical Consultant at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy. Deborah has been involved in the establishment of Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic and is involved in patient care. Much of her time is spent raising four children.

Sarah Ryan, Licensed Practical Nurse, AAS

Sarah attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Montana before completing her studies and graduating from Montana State University – Billings in 2005, with a degree in Nursing. She started her professional career as an intern at St. Vincent Hospital, which transitioned into a full-time nursing position. A member of the American College of Phlebology, Sarah is a native of Billings, and has been with RMVC since August 2006. She is our resident expert in ensuring the proper selection, sizing, and fit of our compression stockings. She also performs sclerotherapy and assists with RF ablation, Endovenous Laser therapy, and microphlebectomy procedures. Sarah enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with her family.

Mary Derbyshire, Medical Assistant

Mary has worked for RMVC since December 2007, and brings with her 38-years of working in the medical field, both in patient care and billing. She assists in the front office on clinic days, and is part of the surgical team on procedure days. A Montana native, Mary grew up in Havre. However, she and her husband have lived in Billings most of their married life. Her son and daughter-in-law also live in Billings, along with two wonderful grandchildren.

Michelle Dillon, RVT RDMS RDCS RT(R)

Michelle is a native of Billings. She attended ultrasound school in Colorado Springs, CO. She has been registered in ultrasound since 1991 and holds registries in Vascular Ultrasound, Adult Echocardiography, Abdomen and OB/Gyn. She lives in Billings with her husband Jerry and their four boys. Michelle is the owner of Big Sky Ultrasound LLC; which specializes in vascular ultrasound screening and provides all the ultrasound services for Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic in both Montana and Wyoming.

Jessica Deering, Registered Vascular Technologist, RVT, AAS

Jessica grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 2006, she graduated from the Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, specializing in vascular ultrasound. Afterwards, Jessica worked in a private vascular lab in Billings for two years prior to joining Big Sky Ultrasound and Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic in 2008. She lives in Billings with her husband Pat, daughter Abigail, two dogs, two cats, and a guinea pig. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys riding and showing quarter horses.

Ben Hoffman, PA-C, Physician Assistant

Ben was raised in Eastern Montana, and has lived in Billings since 1991. He has worked in healthcare for over 30 years as a Registered Nurse and Physician Assistant. Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Ben is also a member of the American Association of Physician Assistants. He joined the RMVC in 2009, and assists with initial patient evaluations, VNUS, EVLT, Microphlebectomy, and Sclerotherapy procedures. While Ben finds his work at RMVC rewarding and challenging, he enjoys a rich life with his wife Julie, hunting buddy Sage (English Setter), many kids and grandchildren. When not at work, he’s generally out hunting, fishing, skiing, or exploring the backcountry of Montana and Wyoming.

Cindy Gifford, Office Administrator, Cody Office

A Wyoming native, Cindy moved from Casper to Cody in 1998. She began working with Dr. Johnson in his surgical practice in 1999, and has worked for Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic since its inception. When not at the office, Cindy enjoys fly-fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Sandra Nicola, Reception, Cody Office

Sandra began working with Dr. Johnson in his surgical practice in 2003. With an extensive marketing background, she was instrumental in the formation of the Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic, and now greets customers at the Cody office. In her off-time, Sandra enjoys recreating in Wyoming’s great outdoors with her two sons and husband.

Jo Anne McBride, R.N.

Jo Anne has an Associate of Applied Sciences degree from Northwest Community College in Powell, Wyoming. She is currently working towards her BSN through the University of Wyoming. Her nursing experience includes Outpatient Surgery, PACU, OR, Endoscopy and Phlebology. Jo Anne assists with Endovenous Laser Therapy, Radiofrequency Ablation, Ambulatory Microphlebectomy and is the on-site compression stocking specialist. Jo Anne is a Certified Laser Specialist. Her hobbies include watercolor painting, mountain biking, rollerblading and hiking with her 14 year old son, Nicholas.

Jennifer Yechout, Reception, Cody Office

Jennifer is a native of Omaha, NE and has also lived in Southeastern Pennsylvania for 17 years. She moved to Cody in 2004 for a change in her surroundings and in search for a new career direction. She is currently enrolled at Northwest College in Powell, WY majoring in Geology. Jennifer started working for Rocky Mountain Vein Clinic in March 2010. She enjoys hiking, being outdoors and serving in various ministries through her church, Cody Missionary Alliance