Brian Veauthier, MD
Title: Clinical Professor
Program Director
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine
Education
MD: Georgetown University School of Medicine, 2001
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program-Casper, 2004
Fellowship: Tacoma Family Medicine Rural Fellowship, 2005
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Veauthier practices full scope family medicine including outpatient clinic with procedures, inpatient adult medicine, inpatient pediatrics, and obstetrics with cesarean sections. His favorite part of his job continues to be teaching residents. Outside of medicine you will find him spending most of his time cheering on his kids during their activities or doing anything outdoors including trail running, cross-country skiing, fly fishing, and mountain biking. He is blessed to have a wonderful family to share all these experiences with - his wife Bridget, his daughters- Sammy, Ellie, and Julia, and his son- Nick.
Caroline Kirsch, DO
Title: Clinical Professor
Associate DIO
Director of Osteopathic Education
Clinical Specialty: Osteopathic Family Medicine/Manipulative Treatment
Education
DO: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2007
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program-Casper, 2010
Board Certification: Family Medicine/Osteopathic Family Medicine and Manipulative Treatment
Dr. Kirsch is passionate about working towards a vision of health and health care equity. She provides care in both the inpatient and outpatient setting with a special focus on Osteopathic Philosophy and Techniques. Special projects she is currently involved with include working to make health care more accessible to underserved and marginalized populations and working with family medicine residents to develop and execute their own quality improvement projects. She enjoys spending time with her husband Craig and their daughter Chloe cooking, reading, hiking, cycling, playing video games and collecting vinyl punk albums, particularly feminist punk.
Beth Robitaille, MD
Title: Clinical Professor
DIO, University of Wyoming
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine
Education
MD: Creighton University School of Medicine, 1995
Residency: North Colorado Family Medicine, 1998
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Robitaille is a Casper native. After completing undergrad at U of Notre Dame and medical school at Creighton SOM, she returned to the west for residency at North Colorado Family Medicine in Greeley, CO. She practiced full spectrum rural Family Medicine with surgical OB for two years in Douglas, WY before joining the faculty at UWFMRP in Casper. After 20+ years with the organization and serving in several roles throughout the years, including program director, she continues to enjoy the dual missions of service and education. She enjoys working to improve services to our underserved patients, such as expanding mental health and substance use disorder treatments, as well as expanding graduate medical education in the state of Wyoming with the development of Casper’s Geriatric Fellowship and the Thermopolis Rural Training Track. She and her husband have three grown children and as recent empty nesters, are enjoying the opportunity to travel more.
Tabitha Thrasher, DO
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Geriatric Fellowship Program Director
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine, Geriatrics
Education
DO: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2012
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program-Casper, 2015
Fellowship: University of Wyoming Family Medicine: Casper Geriatric Fellowship
Board Certification: Family Medicine, Geriatrics
Dr. Tabitha Thrasher is a board-certified family medicine and geriatrics physician. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rocky Vista University in 2012, followed by a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Wyoming in Casper. After several years practicing on the West Coast, she returned to Casper to complete a fellowship in Geriatrics, which she finished in 2020. Since 2018, Dr. Thrasher has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program – Casper. In 2021, she was appointed Program Director of the Geriatric Fellowship, where she is dedicated to training the next generation of physicians in comprehensive elder care. Outside of medicine, Dr. Thrasher enjoys gardening and spending quality time with her family.
Blaine Levy, DO
Title: Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Program Director
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine
Education
DO: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, 2012
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program-Casper, 2015
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Levy practices full spectrum family medicine with keen interest in OB, women's health, and pediatrics. She returned to Wyoming and has fallen in love with teaching at the residency after practicing rural full spectrum medicine in the Ozark region of Missouri for 4.5 years. Blaine and her family enjoy getting outdoors, in all seasons, and soaking up all that Wyoming has to offer. Her love for outdoors and small-town medicine makes Wyoming a perfect fit.
Sharon Karnes, MD
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine
Education
MD: University of Washington School of Medicine, 2001
Residency: University of Utah Family Practice Residency, 2004
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Sharon Karnes went to the University of Wyoming graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology. She was part of the first Wyoming WWAMI class to graduate from the University of Washington School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Utah. She came back to Wyoming to practice. She joined the faculty of the University of Wyoming Family Practice Residency in Casper in 2012. Areas of interest include: geriatrics, behavioral medicine and the underserved. Her hope is to provide a needed service to her patients and community as well as a structured learning environment where residents can excel.
Cynthia Works, MD
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Education
MD: University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1985
Residency: Scenic General Hospital, 1988
Board Certification: Family Medicine, with added qualification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Dr. Works is passionate about family medicine, especially caring for elders and marginalized populations. With more than 30 years advocating for patients, she tries to bring the best of healing from the medical system and beyond. Committed to access to health care for all, she works to be a good guide as they make their final journey at the end of life. Dr. Works has many experiences in cross cultural medicine in the USA, Dominican Republic, Namibia and Angola. Striving to live our mission of service and education, she is happy to be working with colleagues that feel like family.
Adam Heessel, DO
Title: Clinical Assistant Professor
Associate Program Director
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine
Education
DO: Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic, 2019
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program – Casper, 2022
Fellowship: Essentia Health Obstetrical Fellowship, Duluth, MN
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Heessel is excited to be back in his home state practicing full spectrum family medicine. His areas of interest include OB, rural/underserved medicine and preventative care. When he isn't working, Adam is usually on an adventure with his dog Murphy (Golden Retriever) around Wyoming. He enjoys camping, hiking, traveling and enjoying time with his extended family across the state.
Tina Stanco, MD
Title: Clinical Assistant Professor
Clinical Specialty: Family Medicine, Geriatrics
Education
MD: Saint James School of Medicine, 2019
Residency: University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Program – Casper, 2023
Fellowship: University of Wyoming Program Geriatric Fellowship – Casper, 2024
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Dr. Stanco is the newest addition to our residency faculty, bringing her passion for geriatric medicine. She's excited to stay in Casper after completing residency and fellowship here. She is joined by her husband, Mark, and their two dogs, Chief and Scout. When she's not working, she and Mark love to travel and spend time outdoors.
Jaime Hornecker, PharmD
Title: Clinical Professor
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
Clinical Specialty: Pharmacotherapy
Education
PharmD: University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, 2003
Residency: Community Health Center of Central Wyoming, 2004
Board Certification:Pharmacotherapy Specialist, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, Advanced Diabetes Management, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Dr. Hornecker is the faculty pharmacist at UWFMR-Casper. Her practice interests primarily include diabetes education and management, as well as anticoagulation. Dr. Hornecker is program director for the clinic’s PGY1 pharmacy residency, precepts fourth-year pharmacy students, and has teaching responsibilities on the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy campus in Laramie. Jaime’s family is very actively involved in 4-H, sports, and other Wyoming outdoor activities.
Jessica Richards, PharmD, BCPS
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Clinical Specialty: Pharmacotherapy
Education
PharmD: University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, 2017
Residency: Memorial Hospital of South Bend – Indiana
Board Certification: Pharmacotherapy Specialist
Dr. Richards is a faculty pharmacist for our inpatient service at Banner Health – Wyoming Medical Center. Her practice interests include transitions of care, special populations, and internal medicine. She precepts fourth-year pharmacy students, completes research and teaches didactically for the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy campus in Laramie. Jess’ personal life consists of being outside as much as possible (wind, snow, or shine), watching just about any sport, and hanging out with her husband and their fur babies.
Burl Maurer, LCSW
Title: Faculty Behaviorist
Clinical Specialty: Behavioral Medicine
Education
MSW: UGA School of Social Work, 1988
Burl Maurer, a licensed clinical social worker, is our Behavioral Health faculty. Originally from Atlanta, GA, and a University of Georgia graduate, he moved to Casper in 1995. Burl has worked with the residency program since 2001 and returned to UW in August of 2022 after a three-year stint at St. Anthony’s FMRP in Westminster, CO. Burl’s clinical interest is in the connection between shame, anxiety, and trauma, as well as in an integrated care approach to patient care. He is a strong advocate for resident well-being and enjoys making himself available to support residents in their journey. Burl enjoys teaching behavioral health and helping others learn mindfulness meditation. His passion is working with diverse, marginalized and disenfranchised populations and social justice issues.