Meet Bob Sanderson- a western Kansas native, Ironman triathlete, and a true testament to lifelong athleticism. Bob has completed in more than 100 triathlons, including eight full Ironman races and 21 half-Ironman distance competitions. Bob recently placed 3rd in his age group at the Kona Ironman World Championship at age 77, after placing 25^th at the 2022 World Championship at age 74.

Behind every great athlete is a great team. Dr. Wally Walstrom, Sports Medicine physician at the HaysMed Orthopedic Institute, is part of Bob’s dedicated health team, working closely with him and his physical therapist to support his training and performance. Their shared passion for chemistry and human physiology makes every visit a lively exchange of ideas and inspiration.

Bob also earned the title of USAT 2023 Age Group National Champion in the Intermediate distance triathlon, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  “It’s all mental,” Bob says. And he’s not slowing down; he’s now looking forward to mentoring the next generation of triathletes right here in Hays.

At HaysMed Orthopedic Institute and Sports Medicine, we’re proud to support athletes of all levels- from weekend pickleball players to world-class Ironman competitors. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just getting back in the game, we’re here to help you move forward.

We’re honored to be part of Bob’s journey and celebrate the power of perseverance, partnership, and passion.

HaysMed is pleased to announce that its Hospice and Palliative Care program has once again been awarded a 5-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as published on the official federal healthcare comparison platform, Medicare.gov. This distinction represents the highest level of quality recognition available for hospice care providers in the United States.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oversees the Medicare.gov Care Compare tool, which evaluates and reports on the quality of care delivered by healthcare providers nationwide. The 5-star rating reflects HaysMed’s continued excellence in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals facing terminal illnesses.

Sarah Dreiling, RN, Director of Clinical Care at HaysMed, expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, “This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our hospice nurses, physicians, social worker, pastoral care, and volunteers. Their commitment to providing comfort, dignity, and support to patients and their families is truly exceptional.”

Dr. Kayla Gray, DO, Medical Director for Hospice, added,  “We are honored to receive this distinction once again. Our team is deeply committed to ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care during life’s most vulnerable moments.”

According to the CMS rating, hospice services are designed to support patients with terminal diagnoses such as cancer, dementia, stroke, heart disease, and respiratory conditions. Medicare.gov encourages families to consider both the types of conditions treated and the quality-of-care ratings when selecting a hospice provider.

To assist families in making informed decisions, please visit the HaysMed Hospice and Palliative Care webpage which also includes frequently asked questions.

For more information about HaysMed’s Hospice and Palliative Care services, please visit the webpage or contact (785) 623-6200.

Featured in the photos are a few of the incredible individuals behind our HaysMed Hospice and Palliative Care services.

HaysMed proudly celebrated the graduation of 26 registered nurses from the 2025 Registered Nurse (RN) Residency Program, accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The year-long residency offered immersive clinical training across key departments and specialties. Through hands-on experience, personalized mentorship, and structured professional development, the program equipped these new nurses with the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s dynamic healthcare environment.

Residency Coordinator Jana Zeller, commended the graduates for their dedication and growth throughout the program. The graduation ceremony was attended by HaysMed leadership, including directors and supervisors from the departments where the residents trained, underscoring the collaboration and commitment to excellence that defines the program.

“This celebration is more than a milestone,” said Joben Rieth, HaysMed Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s a testament to the hard work of our residents and the unwavering support of our clinical teams. Together, we’re shaping the future of nursing in our community.”

HaysMed remains committed to fostering the next generation of nursing professionals, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care for the communities we serve.

The 2025 graduating class includes:

Ruth Abiola, RN

Macee Altman, RN

Trevor Bartz, RN

Kayla Braun, RN

Kaydee Brin, RN

Rick Colmenero, RN

Sidney Cooper, RN

Katrina Copeland, RN

Mackenzie Crawford, RN

Hannah Deutscher, RN

Molly Dorzweiler, RN

Laurel Ellis, RN

Emily Goetz, RN

Esther Gunga, RN

Willow Hunt, RN

Kamryn Leoffler, RN

Mackenzy Martin, RN

Heidy Mercado, RN

Jera Metro, RN

Francis Mwasaru, RN

Camryn Plemons, RN

Delaney Sandoval, RN

Alexis Smith, RN

Kelli Sprague, RN

Madelyn Waddell, RN

Cybil Wagoner, RN

Reposting article from March 11, 2025: 

Introducing Convenient Billing Notifications for HaysMed Patients

March 11, 2025/in HaysMed News, News/

The Center for Health Improvement (CHI) at HaysMed is leading the charge in fitness innovation by becoming the first pilot site in the United States to introduce Fit-X, an AI-powered personal training system. As one of the few locations nationwide to debut this groundbreaking technology, CHI is offering its members a smarter, safer, and more personalized workout experience.

Fit-X, a company with roots in the fitness industry dating back to 1997, has evolved with the times by integrating advanced AI and sensor technology into traditional strength training equipment. Each machine is equipped with dual sensors that track form, speed, weights lifted and range of motion in real time. This data is used to ensure your workout is both effective and safe.

Personalized Fitness at Your Fingertips

The Fit-X app is the centerpiece of this new system. It allows users to input their unique workout goals and constraints such as recent injuries and then creates workout plans accordingly. Whether you’re managing weight, recovering from a knee replacement, or just starting out, the app tailors workouts to each individual’s goals, physical condition, and experience level.

After each session, users receive an AI-generated summary detailing the muscle groups targeted and progress toward their goals. The app also adapts future workouts based on past performance and user feedback, eliminating guesswork and maximizing results.

Comprehensive Tracking and Flexibility

Even activities outside the gym can be logged manually into the app. For example, if you walk to CHI for your workout, you can enter that cardio session to get a complete picture of your fitness efforts, all in one place.

According to Stephanie Howie, Director of CHI, “We’re thrilled to be the first pilot location in the country for Fit-X. This is a fantastic opportunity for our members and the Hays community. We also offer personal training sessions to help members get started.”

Why Strength Training Matters

Despite its many benefits, such as improving bone density, supporting weight management, enhancing cardiovascular health, and maintaining independence with age, strength training remains underutilized. According to Fit-X, less than one-third of gym-goers and only 14% of older adults incorporate it into their routines.

Fit-X aims to change that by making strength training more accessible, intuitive, and results-driven. With real-time coaching, automatic weight adjustments, and an average of 50–75% strength gains in just three months, users can expect faster progress with fewer injuries.

Getting Started

Ready to experience the future of fitness? Becoming a member at the Center for Health Improvement (CHI) is your first step toward accessing the innovative Fit-X technology. CHI staff are here to walk you through the setup process and help you get the most out of your personalized fitness journey.

To become a member, call 785-623-5900 or visit the CHI website. Let us help you get started today!

To learn more about Fit-X, visit www.fit-x.tech.