Our Why

Dr. David B. Wheeler

Neurologist - Casper, WY 

Growing up in Missoula, Montana, the son of educators I developed a love of learning and passion
for making a difference. Despite teenage distractions that led to dropping out of high school at 16, I got my GED, attended the University of Montana, was a Rhode Scholar and ultimately completed a nine-year educational journey at Stanford where I earned my MD and PhD in Neurosciences. 

I'm passionate about making the world better through my actions whether those be political, social or through my clinical medicine work. While I deeply enjoyed my research on the role of calcium channels in controlling synaptic function in the hippocampus; processes critical in both mechanisms of learning and epilepsy, ultimately my love for patient interactions and the opportunity to help improve lives won out when it came time to make decisions about my career.

My wife and I moved to Casper, WY, in 2005 where I have enjoyed being able to help develop much needed neurology programs from the ground up. I run a comprehensive and growing general neurology and neuro-health practice while establishing the Wyoming Epilepsy Center which provides comprehensive care to the thousands of Wyomingites affected by seizures. I have also been a leader in the development of our nationally recognized Primary stroke center. I am keenly interested in stroke systems of care tailored to our rural environment. 

When I'm not seeing patients you can find me outdoors with my family camping, hiking, golfing, riding motorcycles and driving sports cars whenever I am offered the opportunity. I'm grateful for the life I've been afforded in Wyoming and cherish every opportunity I get to improve the lives of my patients in this great state.

Dr. Betsy Spomer

Family Physician ~ Powell, WY
My Why:
I am a small town Wyoming girl. Couple that with a deep love for science, a curiosity for what makes people tick, and a thirst for challenge, and you can understand why becoming a rural Family Physician was the perfect fit for me. Caring for patients of all ages- from newborn care & pediatrics to maternity & adult healthcare to geriatrics & hospice- has been a joy and a privilege. 

In addition, as a more seasoned physician, I can truly appreciate and understand the stress, time, and personal commitment it takes for a healthcare professional to deliver truly great care. I have a deep desire to be a strong support and advocate for our healthcare professionals so that they can personally show up healthy and well for their patients, family, and friends. It is for this reason that I spend much of my time coaching, teaching, and advising healthcare professionals and groups on the importance of a healthy, well, and joy-filled healthcare provider.

Wyoming continues to provide the perfect backdrop for me to live, raise my family, and serve others. I love being a Wyoming doctor and doing my part to support my fellow Wyomingites to live their healthiest and happiest life in this beautiful state that we are so blessed to call home.

Dr. kristopher schamber

Internal Medicine Specialist- Sheridan, WY 

My Why:
I grew up in southern Wyoming, and from a young age I knew I wanted to become a physician. My mother worked for a Family Doctor, so I was able to witness first-hand what primary care medicine looked like. I witnessed a Doctor see all patients no matter the complaint, who seemed to know as much about his patients as they knew about themselves, who compassionately eased their concerns and healed. I knew then that I was destined for a life in primary care medicine. When in medical school I found my calling in Internal Medicine. I was drawn to the complicated medical problems common to the specialty, and even more so to the deep long-term relationships with patients and their family members. I find a sense of calm and purpose in very difficult situations, delivering a diagnosis of cancer or dementia, or guiding patients and their families through the end of life. I laugh and cry with my patients, and fiercely advocate on their behalf.

About Me:
I am a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a passion for hospice, geriatric medicine, and dementia care.  

I completed my undergraduate training at Western Wyoming Community College and the University of Wyoming, graduate training at the University of Wyoming, and medical training in the WWAMI program through the University of Washington. I completed residency in Boise, Idaho where I also served as Chief Resident for my program after graduation. My family and I moved to Sheridan after I completed my Chief Resident year and have been practicing Internal Medicine in a hybrid model, seeing patients in the clinic and the hospital. I serve as the medical director for the Sheridan Health Center, Sheridan’s local underserved clinic, and for Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Hospice and Home Health department. I am the Medicine Department Chair at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. I have been an active Wyoming Medical Society board member for nearly five years, and currently serve as the Secretary/Treasurer, and the Sheridan County representative.

I trained in a multidisciplinary team-based care model and believe whole heartedly that a team approach delivers the best care. Although the physician may not perform the preferred diagnostic or treatment option, he or she is the best trained to identify the specific ailment and refer to the appropriate professional. I also believe that primary care is the bedrock of a strong medical team with the best patient care.

When not caring for patients, I love spending time with my family outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, skiing, and training my new bird dog.

Dr. JASPER JAMES (JJ) CHEN

Psychiatrist ~ Cheyenne, WY
My Why:
Following completion of residency training, my wife and I returned to Wyoming to practice in “WWAMI-land”, emblematic of the sole medical school at the time for the five-state region including Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho” that previously was the only allopathic medical school for residents of those five states.  

The WWAMI loan forgiveness program has given my wife and me more financial independence and the ability to invest meaningfully in the community and make charitable contributions. We are very grateful and try to invest our time and energy to projects to make the community better. 

As a general psychiatrist, finding a job in Wyoming, and anywhere for that matter, was not difficult. I am currently an inpatient and consultation liaison psychiatrist, assistant medical director, and patient experience physician champion at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. I endeavor to make an immediate and lasting difference in the community and state I have come to love. Wyoming consistently is in the top three states having the highest suicide rate per capita, and mental health is one of the most pressing needs that Wyoming has. Not only do we need to recruit and retain the most outstanding providers, we also need to create and maintain the most optimal health care delivery systems for those with mental illness.


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