Learn more about our team of healthcare professionals.
Platte Valley Clinic Providers
Call (307) 326-3169 to make an appointment with one of our providers at the Platte Valley Clinic.
Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons, MD
Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons, MD Physician
Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons has 28 years of experience in the medical field. Over the course of his robust career, Dr. Fitzsimmons has had a full spectrum family practice, plus experience with working in hospitals, clinics, as well as a full OB practice. He has been the medical director of three Wyoming nursing homes. Before entering the medical field, Dr. Fitzsimmons served with the U.S. Navy as a Missile Fire Controlman, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia as part of the Second Fleet, Atlantic Ocean.
BS – University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
MD – Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
Residency – University of North Dakota Family Practice in Minot, ND.
Board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine
Current certifications for Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Advanced Burn Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation.
Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons, MD sees patients full time at the Platte Valley Clinic. To make an appointment, call (307) 326-3169.
Jolena Martin, PA-C - Women’s Health
Jolena Martin, PA-C Women’s Health
A physician assistant for 18 years, Jolena Martin brings a wide range of clinical experience in primary care, family practice, obstetrics/ gynecology, and urgent care, with a passion for women’s health to the Platte Valley Clinic. Thorough, compassionate and patient-focused care are top priorities for Jolena. When it comes to practicing women’s health, she believes patient care does not only include standard exams, it is an all-encompassing style of practice to address any and all women’s health concerns. Outside of being a PA, Jolena enjoys reading, music, singing, spending quality time with Steve, their four children and two dogs in the outdoors, and being involved with a church.
Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, Carbondale, IL
Effingham Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates and the Christie Clinic, Eastern Illinois
Dr. Carol A. Fischer Family Practice, Cheyenne, WY
Jolena Martin PA-C sees adult and pediatric patients at the Platte Valley Clinic. To make an appointment, call (307) 326-3169.
Visiting Specialists
Call the number listed below for each provider for an appointment.
Appointments are booked through each provider’s office.
Dr. Oleg Ivanov, M.D., F.A.C.C., Cardiology Specialist Wyoming Cardiopulmonary Services, PC – Casper, WY
In practice since 2011, Dr. Ivanov attended medical school at Bukovinian State Medical University, in Chernivtsy, Ukraine and completed residencies at Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut and Khmelnitsky Regional Medical Center in Khmelnitsky, Ukraine.
Dr. Ivanov completed a cardiovascular medicine fellowship at University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC and was a postdoctoral research fellow in Biomedical Informatics & Artificial Intelligence in Medicine at University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.
To make an appointment to see Dr. Ivanov at the North Platte Valley Medical Center, call toll-free 800-445-3501, option 2 to schedule.
Dr. Ivanov’s upcoming visits to NPVMC in Saratoga: April 9th May 7th June 4th July 3rd August 6th August 27th September 24th October 22nd
Dr. Michael E. Janssen, DO - Spine & Orthopedics
Dr. Michael E. Janssen, DO Board Certified Spine Surgeon Center for Spine & Orthopedics – Denver, CO
CSO founder Dr. Michael Janssen was among the first surgeons in the nation to perform total disc replacement (TDR). He participated in initial clinical studies and has been performing TDRs since 2006 when the FDA approved the ProDisc. Since then, Dr. Janssen has performed more than 1,000 complex TDR surgeries and trained more than 150 surgeons worldwide to perform the procedure. In November 2015, Dr. Janssen published an article on the long term results of TDR surgery in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Specialties include total disc replacement, degenerative disc surgery, disc arthroplasty, laminectomy, microdiscectomy and neck surgery, among other surgical procedures.
Dr. Janssen sees patients at the North Platte Valley Medical Center once a month on Fridays.
Call (800) 810-9352 to make an appointment in Saratoga
Dr. Jack Ullrich, MD - General Surgery
Dr. Jack Ullrich, MD General Surgery Ivinson Medical Group – Laramie, WY
Dr. Ullrich has been practicing for 16 years, and began working for Ivinson Medical Group in 2010. His passions outside of patient care include general aviation, astronomy and travel, as well as camping with his family. Dr. Ullrich says he enjoys working for IMG because it allows him to work closely with other providers, giving them the ability to consult with one another to facilitate excellent patient care.
BS – University of Montana, Missoula, MT
MD – Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Medicine, Portland OR
Internship – Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
Residency – Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
Dr. Ullrich sees patients at the North Platte Valley Medical Center once a month on Tuesdays. Call (307) 755-4540 to make an appointment in Saratoga.
Dr. Emma Bjore, MD - Geriatrics
Dr. Emma Bjore, MD Geriatrics Ivinson Medical Group – Laramie, WY
As a specialist in the care of adults 70 and older, I am committed to helping patients maintain their wellness, independence and quality of life as they age. I partner with my patients in meeting their health goals, which often includes decreasing the amount of medications they take and improving and maintaining daily functioning. Being an advocate for and empowering our older adults is my greatest roll as a geriatrician.
BS – Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
MD – University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Residency – University of Colorado — Rose Family Medicine
Fellowship – University of Colorado, Geriatrics
Board Certification – American Board of Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Bjore sees patients at the North Platte Valley Medical Center once a month on Fridays.
Call (307) 326-3169 for details on appointments in Saratoga.
Paula Vasek, Family Nurse Practitioner – Pediatrics
Paula Vasek Family Nurse Practitioner – Pediatrics Meadowlark Pediatrics – Laramie, WY
Paula Vasek is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and internationally board-certified Lactation Consultant. Paula’s career started in the Emergency Department (ED) in Tacoma, Washington at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. While working in the ED, Paula began working on her Master’s of Science in Nurse Education with hopes of teaching at the collegiate level. In addition to working on her nurse education degree, Paula undertook a second master’s program to obtain a degree as a Nurse Practitioner and completed this in 2005.
Paula practiced at Laramie Physicians for Women and Children specializing in Pediatrics for 16 years until she and her colleague, Elizabeth Smith, opened the doors to Meadowlark Pediatrics in 2021.
Paula provides preventative care, urgent care, and care of acute and chronic conditions.
Call(307) 314-4242 for details on Paula’s next visit to Saratoga.
Dr. H. Lyle Pierce, MD
Dr. H. Lyle Pierce
Urology Clinic, PC
Call (307) 745-3097 for an appointment.
• BS – Texas A&M University, TX • MD – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center • Residency – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center • Board Certification – American Board of Urology • License – Wyoming State Medical License
Specializing in: • Stone disease • General urology • Prostate disease • Incontinence • Pediatric urology
Premier Bone and Joint Centers
Physician Assistant
Call 1-888-WYO-PBJC for an appointment in Saratoga at the North Platte Valley Medical Center.
A provider from Premier Bone & Joint Centers visits the North Platte Valley Medical Center every other Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Specialties include: – Joint care including injections – Fracture and sprain management – X-Rays, MRI’s and CT scans – Splinting and casting – Workman’s comp and sports injuries – Consultations and follow-ups for more in-depth procedures
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Call (307) 326-3169 to make an appointment with one of our therapy providers.
Tammy Lane, OTD Director of Rehab, Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Tammy Lane, OTD Director of Rehab (DOR), Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Bio coming soon.
Blake Altizer, PT Physical Therapy
Blake Altizer, PT Physical Therapy
Blake Altizer is a traveling physical therapist who will be seeing patients at the North Platte Valley Medical Center through the end of March.
Originally from upstate New York, Blake graduated from the physical therapy program at Daemen University.
When it comes to working with patients, one of Blake’s favorite parts of the job is seeing progress from start to finish. “I love seeing patients improve – moving and having less pain,” said Blake. “Seeing patients do the things they want to do is rewarding.”
Call (307) 326-3169 for an appointment with Blake.
Emergency Department
The NPVMC emergency room is open 24/7 – no appointment is needed. For an emergency, call 911.
