Dr. Melissa Lundbeck Kaptanian, MD

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was knocked for a loop. Having a sister who died from ovarian cancer, "the C word" was debilitating. On my very first meeting with Dr. Hulvat, my fears were lessened immediately. She was able to give me lots of detailed information but in a manner I could actually understand. (She even drew pictures to help me 'see' what was going on inside my body.) I'm happy to say, after my lumpectomies, I received a clean report with just the necessary addition of radiation treatments. When I saw Dr. Hulvat at my post-op, I think she was almost as happy as I was about the success of the surgeries. She's truly a surgeon with a heart!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer my mind instantly 'went to the dark side'. Today my husband I and had our first appointment with Dr. Hulvat and she was able to answer every question we asked...and using terms we could easily understand. She delivered the information with a calm confidence and put our minds at ease. We also liked that although she was very professional she also added a bit of humor (when appropriate). My surgery is scheduled and I'm feeling good about it.

My mammogram showed a lump. I had a biopsy. It was cancer. An appointment was made to see Dr. Halvat. The first thing she did was to jiggle my breast, this was her breast exam. After she hurriedly went through my options, and did her scratchy drawings, she asked me which option I wanted. I felt like telling her that I’d take the 4-door in red. I went to Kansas City for a second opinion! I’m so thankful. Dr. Halvat did not recommend an MRI. KC did their own ultrasound and found a second lump. They did an MRI, and found a third lump that was too small to detect with ultrasound. Needless to say, I chose to be treated in Kansas City. I highly recommend KC. GET A SECOND OPINION!!!

Dr. Hulvat performed my breast cancer surgery. I found her to be very well informed, has a well-managed and compassionate staff and works hard in the community to promote breast cancer screening for underserved populations in the Flathead Valley. Highly recommend.