Adam Zelka
Bachelor of Science, 2005
Family Medical Physician at St. Vincent Healthcare and Associate Medical Director
for Hospice Services, RiverStone Health
Hardin, Montana
February 3, 2017
By Blair Koch, University Communications and Marketing, 657-2269
It has been over a decade since Adam Zelka walked the halls of Montana State University Billings as a student. Nonetheless, the campus continues to hold very fond memories for the doctor.
Zelka did not start his studies planning on going into medicine but the lessons learned and support he received helped pave the way for his current career. Today, the 34-year-old serves as a family medical physician for St. Vincent Healthcare and is associate medical director for Hospice Services at RiverStone Health.
Back in the early 2000s, Zelka thought his future was in communications- specifically sports broadcasting, a gig he held in high school.
鈥淚t was mind-numbingly boring,鈥� Zelka said of his first major. 鈥淟uckily, I changed my major after one semester.鈥�
He credits that life-altering change to the support received from professors.
鈥淭he support I received (at MSUB) was instrumental in my going on to medical school and pursuing my career today,鈥� said Zelka. 鈥淚 was good at biology and Dr. (David) Butler pulled me aside and said I should consider it. I never looked back.鈥�
Zelka, a high school graduate of nearby Hardin, Montana, decided to attend MSUB because of how close it was to home. Plus, his girlfriend was a student here, too.
鈥淪he鈥檚 now my wife,鈥� Zelka said. 鈥淎nd we have four girls.鈥�
Some of Zelka鈥檚 favorite memories at MSUB include his time working as a resident advisor and serving as a work-study in recruitment with New Student Services.
鈥淭he third floor of Rimrock Hall was an absolute blast,鈥� he said.
Once he was accepted into the University of Washington School of Medicine, Zelka was always proud of his Yellowjackets roots. He graduated from the prestigious program in 2010.
鈥淚 always thought it was funny to be told, 鈥楴ot a lot of doctors come out of MSU Billings.鈥� That left a good mark on me,鈥� Zelka said. 鈥淚t made me proud of where I had come from.鈥�
He will never forget his time at MSUB.
鈥淭here is something special here,鈥� Zelka said. 鈥淭he teachers were phenomenal. If you showed any interest, they were excited to have you in class and the education was phenomenal.鈥�