Ilana Buffenstein, MD

I completed my medical education at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Hawaiʻi, where I learned the value of community-centered, culturally grounded care. After medical school, I moved to Montana to complete my residency at the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana, where I trained in full-spectrum family medicine and cared for patients across all stages of life.

I’m passionate about providing affirming, inclusive care for every patient. My areas of interest include gender-affirming care, women’s health, providing care to children and babies, and global and refugee health. I try to approach each visit with curiosity, compassion, and respect, and I work closely with patients to make sure their goals and values guide every medical decision we make together.

Outside of work, I love staying active through running and have recently suffered through my first marathon (and mastered the Zen art of the 12 minute mile). I’m also a big fan of dinner-party karaoke. One of my favorite hobbies is convincing my boyfriend to drive out of our way to “rescue” items I’ve found for sale online — something he pretends to resist, but secretly enjoys just as much as I do.