About Us

Big Sky Women's Specialists is comprised of highly trained, compassionate, and caring physicians, Dr. Shaun Gillis, Dr. Steve Nickisch, and Dr. Melissa Casper. Their information and qualifications are found below. We are located on the campus of Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. For more detailed directions and office hours, please click here.

Shaun J. Gillis, MD, Medical Director of Aesthetics Practice

Dr. Shaun Jensen Gillis is a Montana native who is blessed to work, play, and raise a family in this wonderful state.  She was born in Butte and raised in Divide, MT.  She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, receiving both a B.S. and an M.S. in Microbiology.  Dr. Gillis attended medical school at the University of Washington through the Montana WWAMI program and continues to be affiliated with the medical school as a preceptor for first-year students in her office and also helping teach pelvic anatomy to the WWAMI students during their first year at Montana State University.

Dr. Gillis went to Rochester, NY for internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Upon completion of residency in 2003, she returned home and worked briefly for ObGyn Associates.  While there, she worked with Dr. Nickisch, a fellow Montana native, who had similar medical interests in urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse as well as a similar practice philosophy.  With help and support from family and friends, they soon opened their own practice: Big Sky Women’s Specialists, now the only locally-owned Obstetrics and Gynecology practice in Bozeman.

Dr. Gillis is married (almost 20 years!) to Rick Gillis, PhD.  They have three children--Ian, Avery, and Eric.  In addition to spending time with family and friends, Dr. Gillis enjoys skiing, hiking, camping, reading, and, when possible, dancing. 

Welcome to Big Sky Women’s Specialists….come visit us and see why we proudly say that local ownership makes a big difference!

Practice Emphasis:
Obstetrics, General gynecology, including gynecological surgery
Incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
Infertility
Pelvic pain/endometriosis

Board Certification:
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Education:
Montana State University, BS (1990), MS (1993) Microbiology
University of Washington School of Medicine, MD (1999)

Internship:
University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital (1999-2000)

Residency:
University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital (2000-2003)

Professional Affiliations:
Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Medical Association
Montana Medical Association
American Urogynecologic Society
American Society of Reproductive Medicine

Post-Graduate Training:
Ultrasound
Suburethral Slings
IPL
SilkPeel

Steve Nickisch, MD

Dr. Nickisch is a third-generation Montanan who is proud to have the opportunity to return to serve and raise his family in his home state. After completing his undergraduate degree at MSU, Steve and his wife, Kristi, then moved to Albuquerque where he graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

He completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at this university as well. He was board certified by the American Board of OB/GYN in 1995 and voluntarily takes re-certification testing on a yearly basis.

Dr. Nickisch served as a clinical facility member for the University of North Carolina at Asheville while in private practice from 1994-2003. He instructed physicians in training in the areas of advanced laparoscopy, vaginal surgery, and incontinence.

Professional:
December, 1985 B.S., Biomedical Science, Montana State University
May, 1990 M.D., University of New Mexico School of Medicine
July, 1990 - June, 1991 Internship, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico
July, 1991 - June, 1994 Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Hospital
November, 1996 - Board Certified, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
August, 1994 - March 2003 Private Practice: Sandridge, Councell & Nickisch, OB-GYN, PA Asheville, N.C.
1994 - 2003 Clinical Faculty, University of North Carolina, Asheville, N.C.
March 2003 - January 2005 Ob-Gyn Associates, Bozeman, MT
January 2005 - Present - Big Sky Women’s Specialists, Bozeman, MT

Professional Affiliation:
Fellow, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists
The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Christian Medical Dental Society

Recertification:
Recertified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology by voluntary yearly examination

Research and Publications:
Non-Surgical Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy
Transvaginal Ultrasound Assessment of Cervical Length in Twin Gestations
Transvaginal Ultrasound Assessment of Bladder Neck Mobility in Urogynecology
Coccidiomyosis Infection in Pregnancy

Post-Graduate Training:
Advances in Gynecologic Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Incontinence
Transvaginal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Gynecologic Cystourethroscopy
New Treatment Strategies for Difficult Gynecologic Disorders

Practice Emphasis:

• Efficient and effective Gynecologic care
• Treatment of incontinence and prolapse
• Endometriosis and pelvic pain
• State of the art Gynecological ultrasound in the office

Melissa Casper, MD

Education
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 1988-1992; BS Biology, cum laude
University of Texas-Houston Medical School 1992-1996; MD
Parkland Hospital/University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 1996-2000; Obstetrics/Gynecology Residency

Work
Big Sky Women's Specialists, Bozeman, MT, February 2007-present
Ob/Gyn Associates, Bozeman. MT, October 2001-December 2004
Women and Children First Fredericksburg, TX, July 2001-August 2002

Certification
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology December 2003

Professional Societies
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society-elected Spring 1996
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
American College of Obstetrics/Gynecology Junior Fellow member 1996-2004
ACOG Junior Fellow District Chair 2002
Montana Medical Association