Speakers
Dr. Marc Fisher
Dr. Fisher has been active in the stroke field for 48 years. He continues to see patients and do telemedicine consults for acute stroke patients. His research has focused on the development of acute stroke therapies and he currently consults for several companies who are developing neuroprotective therapies. He has published more than 380 peer reviewed publications. He previously was the editor-in-chief of the journal Stroke from 2010-2020 and was the president of the World Stroke Organization from 2020-2022. He is currently a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.
Joani Guzman
Joani Guzman has spent the past nine years with the American Heart Association, where she leads statewide healthcare initiatives focused on strengthening systems of care and reducing gaps in rural health access. With experience in stroke systems, EMS collaboration, and rural hospital capacity-building, she is committed to advancing equitable, high-quality care for underserved communities. Joani holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently pursuing her MBA at Louisiana State University–Shreveport, further expanding her expertise in healthcare leadership and strategy.
Joshua Knappenberger, MD
Dr. Knappenberger is a neuro-hospitalist who works at Bozeman Health and serves as stroke director at Deaconess Hospital and Big Sky Medical Center. He went to medical school at the University of Utah, did his residency at the University of Washington, with a clinical fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at the University of Vermont and a year of postdoctoral work at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel.
James MacNutt, DO, FACS, MHCDS
Dr. James MacNutt is a board-certified neurosurgeon who provides care for patients with a variety of neurological and spinal conditions that require surgical intervention.
Serving as the endpoint of what can often be a long medical journey is a point of pride for Dr. MacNutt. He provides medical advice and treatment options that are in the best interest of his patients, helping them move forward while employing a down-to-earth communication style.
Outside of his practice, Dr. MacNutt enjoys outdoor activities during all seasons. His favorites include snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hockey, curling, and hiking.
Tom Price, RN, BSN
Tom Price is the Director of Critical Care at Bitterroot Health. With nearly four years of experience at Bitterroot Health, Tom is deeply committed to providing top-notch healthcare in his community. Tom’s journey to Montana was fueled by a passion for mountain biking and a desire to be close to family. Prior to joining Bitterroot Health, Tom served as the Emergency Room Director at Alaska Regional and gained valuable experience in the Burn Trauma ICU at the University of Utah. Both in Alaska and in Montana, Tom as worked alongside dedicated professionals to standardize stroke care protocols, emphasizing the same urgency as with trauma cases. This commitment has led to tangible improvements, notably reducing our door-to-needle and door-to-transport times, ultimately enhancing outcomes for those served.