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Nursing Facilities Services Bureau Chief
Contact Rick Norine at 406-444-4209 or e-mail

Rick Norine was named Nursing Facilities Bureau Chief for the DPHHS SLTCD in June 2004. He is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Medicaid nursing facility program including policy, reimbursement and program development. The Bureau Chief acts as the supervisor for the following positions: Institutional Superintendent of Montana Veterans' Home, two Human Services Specialists, and an Administrative Officer at Eastern Montana Veterans' Home.

Rick was previously employed as an auditor with the Montana Department of Revenue, as the admission and continuing medical education coordinator for the Physician Assistant Program at Rocky Mountain College, and as an administrator of a private technical college including a nursing assistant program.

A graduate from the University of Montana with Bachelor’s degrees in political science and accounting, Rick recently completed his Master’s degree in organizational management.

Montana Veterans' Home – Columbia Falls:
Contact Ron Balas at 406-892-3256 for more information.
(Fax) 406-892-0256 or e-mail

Ron Balas was hired as superintendent at MVH in March 2004. Balas has 25 years of experience with state government, and served 14 years as an administrator at the Montana Mental Health Nursing Care Center in Lewistown. Balas is a University of Montana graduate with degrees in history and political science.

Eastern Montana Veterans' Home - Glendive:
Contact Gary Gaub at (toll-free) 1-866-887-3684, 406-345-8855,
(Fax) 406-345-8121 or e-mail

Gary Gaub serves as Administrative Officer for EMVH in Glendive, Montana. Gary attended Dawson Community College, Montana State University Billings, and University of Montana Helena. Gary has 29 years of work experience in Human Services, including Action for Eastern Montana Northwest Montana Human Resource Council, and Department of Public Health and Human Services.

In 2004, Gary received the Governor’s Award for Excellence, which publicly recognizes outstanding state employees for the vital services they provide to all Montanans. Governor Martz presented the award to Gary during a ceremony at All Saints Hall at Carroll College.