![](https://bitterrootstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_0926-203x300.jpeg)
Hamilton resident, Kathy Dexter, is someone who genuinely cares about people, her community, and has made it her personal mission to make life better for those around her.
A family practice provider at Bitterroot Health, Dexter has a background in Critical Care and trauma and began her career in emergency medicine; she liked how focused she had to be, to deal with the demand and urgency of the ER.
“What I love most about practicing medicine is that I get to help patients transform their lives,” said Dexter. “Medicine should be a team sport and be as collaborative as possible. I want a relationship with my patients that includes trust, compassion, and respect.”
According to what her patients say about her on Google, Dexter clearly has that trust and respect: “It is an honor to be Kathy Dexter’s patient!!! She listens, shares, is Open-Minded, intelligent… And, most importantly, I trust that she will work with me to find a solution to any issue, no matter how small or catastrophic. She is a Pure Soul wrapped in a physician’s body.”
It’s with Dexter’s philosophy of service as a “team sport” that she has broadened her impact and reach and will be participating in a 545-mile bike ride to raise money for critical HIV/AIDS services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT center– the AIDS/LifeCycle 2023.
“I’m riding in honor of my Uncle Miles who died from AIDS,” said Dexter. “He’s a beautiful soul and I miss him all the time. I don’t want any more beautiful souls to be lost to AIDS, so those who support me in this cause are taking a stand against stigma and helping create a world where health justice is a reality for everyone.”
Dexter has worked in support of life-saving services for those with HIV and AIDS, and her fund-raising efforts for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride will include counseling, HIV/STD screenings, and more. Dexter needs a minimum donation amount of $3,500 to qualify to ride and has set a goal of $5,000. To support Dexter, and help her earn her place in the ride, visit her page: https://giving.aidslifecycle.org/participant/Kathy-Dexter. She will be at Imagine Nation Brewing in Missoula on Saturday, April 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for fundraising.
For information on local resources for those who are HIV+, visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Safety’s HIV Treatment Program information: https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/hivstd/treatment/mtryanwhiteprog