When Kenli Larson arrived at HaysMed’s Birth Center for a two-day clinical rotation, she was eager to learn more about a career in labor and delivery, neonatal intensive care, and women’s health.

What she didn’t expect was to meet someone who had already played an important role in her life.

A nursing student at Colby Community College and a native of Sharon Springs, Kansas, Kenli has long felt drawn to caring for mothers and babies. Her interest comes from both her passion for nursing and a deeply personal connection to the specialty.

Kenli was born prematurely at 34 weeks and spent her first three days of life in the HaysMed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

While spending time in the Birth Center during her clinical rotation, Kenli learned that one of the nurses who cared for her all those years ago was still working at HaysMed.

That nurse was Doris Rack.

For 50 years, Doris has dedicated her career to caring for mothers, newborns, and families across western Kansas at HaysMed. Over those five decades, she has helped welcome generations of babies into the world, many of whom have gone on to become parents themselves.

Now, one of those babies is preparing to become a nurse.

“It was incredible to think that someone who cared for me when I was only a few days old is still making a difference in the lives of families today,” Kenli said.

The moment was especially meaningful because it represented far more than a chance encounter. It reflected the lasting impact healthcare professionals can have on the communities they serve.

Raised in a family dedicated to rural healthcare and agriculture, Kenli understands the importance of those community connections. Her mother, Tammy,  works as a radiology technologist at Greeley County Hospital in Tribune, while her father, Beau, farms in western Kansas. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand how vital healthcare providers are to rural communities and the relationships they build with the people they serve.

That experience helped inspire her own path into nursing. When Kenli graduates in May 2027, she hopes to pursue a career in labor and delivery, the NICU, or another area focused on caring for mothers and newborns.

Her story is one that reflects the strength of rural healthcare. Communities invest in their caregivers, caregivers invest in their patients, and sometimes those patients are inspired to become caregivers themselves.

At HaysMed’s Birth Center, that commitment continues every day through a team of OB-GYN specialists, labor and delivery experts, neonatal providers, nurses, and support staff dedicated to caring for families throughout every stage of pregnancy, birth, and newborn care.

For Doris, seeing Kenli begin her nursing journey is a reminder of why she chose this profession 50 years ago. And for Kenli, meeting the nurse who cared for her as a premature newborn served as confirmation that she is exactly where she is meant to be.

Sometimes the people who inspire our future are the very ones who helped shape our beginning.

Today, HaysMed proudly recognizes the dedication and commitment of its Service Award recipients. These Associates have reached significant career milestones, celebrating years of service in five-year increments and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our patients, organization, and communities.

This year, HaysMed is proud to honor 155 Associates, including 51 employees celebrating 20 years or more of service to HaysMed. Together, these honorees represent centuries of collective experience, compassion, and dedication to caring for patients across western Kansas.

Each year of service represents countless moments of expertise, teamwork, and care. Whether supporting patients at the bedside, assisting families, maintaining operations behind the scenes, or advancing healthcare across our region, these Associates play an essential role in fulfilling HaysMed’s mission.

Their dedication strengthens not only HaysMed but also the communities we serve throughout western Kansas. As friends, neighbors, coaches, volunteers, and community members, they help make our region a healthier and stronger place to live.

We are grateful for their service, proud of their accomplishments, and honored to celebrate these important milestones with them.

Those recognized today are:

45 years
Kim Dechant – Health Information Management

40 years
Gayla Binder – Short Stay Surgery
Carol Dreiling – Health Information Management
Lance Smith – Facilities Administration

35 years
Vonda Ackerman – Information Systems
Lori Ash – Laboratory

30 years
Joannah Applequist – Administration
Shalise Cochran – Rehabilitation Center Administration
Brenda Dechant – Urology Clinic
Julie Fischer – Human Resources
Jaci Gottschalk – Discharge Planning & Social Services
Brandy Huser – Mammography
Myrna Jordan – Hospice
Brenda McMillin – Cardiology Clinic
Bobbie Murphy – Breast Center

25 years
Virginia Basgall – Urology Clinic
Danielle Fisher – Materials Management
Dave Giess – Laboratory
Paula Gnad – Operating Room
Dr. Keith Green – Pain Management Center
Maryjo Gubitoso – Cardiology Clinic
Amber Irvin – Diagnostic Radiology
Blake Matzke – Information Systems
Renee Meis – Laboratory
Marlis Norton – Operating Room
Mindy Pickering – Pre-Admissions Testing
Larry Plante – Maintenance
Jill Rozean – Birthing Center
Lea Staab – Special Services
Ryan Staab – Environmental Services
Gail Werth – Accounting
Robert Wickham – CT Scan
Myra Younger – Dietary Services

20 years
Stephanie Carlin – Inpatient Physical Therapy
Melissa Conley – Patient Accounts
Rhonda Dopita – Fitness Center
Marshall Dover – Environmental Services
Alaina Dresslar – Southwind Surgical
Amy Feldt – MRI
Emily Gottschalk – NICU
Ed Habash – Specialty Clinic at Great Bend
Sandra Jacobs – Communications Center
Tammy Klaus – Information Systems
Andrea Legleiter – Quality Management
Barb Lewis – ENT
Kurtis Linenberger – Revenue Cycle Support Services
Faye Miller – Discharge Planning & Social Services
Dr. Charles Schultz – Southwind Surgical
Samantha Sramek – Short Stay Surgery
Cammie Townley – ER Trauma
Tanna Vine – Anesthesia

15 years
Ann Arnold – Special Services
Alicia Bahr – OB/GYN Clinic
Lori Bogart – Environmental Services
Diana Budke – Patient Accounts
Dr. Gulraiz Cheema – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Dr. Bed Chhatkuli – Nephrology Clinic
Brian Feldt – Pre-Admissions Testing
Lauren Finger – CPCU
Brian Forinash – Materials Management
Shawn Giess – Pharmacy
Sam Gottschalk – Fitness Center
Juliet Johns – Medical Specialists
Christy Jones – Cardiology Clinic
Leitha King – Telemetry
Christina Lawver – Operating Room
Sarah A. Leiker – Pharmacy
Zachary Long – Heart Cath Lab
Janna Manning – Outpatient Physical Therapy
Tami McNeill – Acute Care Unit
TJ Miller – Emergency Room
Nicole Moos – Telemetry
Katerina Pabst – Pediatric Clinic
Connie Potts – Float HUC
Tracy Ream – Central Sterile
Jane Rorstrom – Fitness Center
Danielle Still – Inpatient Physical Therapy
Michelle Weigel – Wound Healing Center

10 years
Sarah Balthazor – OB/GYN Clinic
Autumn Braun – Patient Accounts
Kilie Braun – Operating Room
Dr. Shari Claude – Pediatric Clinic
Aubrey Darnall – Medical Specialists
Ken Dinges – Environmental Services
Shelby Falcon – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Mallory Freeman – Emergency Room
Megan Geist – Operating Room
Lisa Hendershott – Laboratory
Jen Howard – Cardiology Clinic
Leigh Jamison – Patient Accounts
Roxie Korbe – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Sarah J. Leiker – Southwind Surgical
Cody Long – Pharmacy
Linda Lukens – Respiratory Therapy
Marla McGann – Hays Family Medicine
Lina Miller – Patient Accounts
Taylor Ottley – Operating Room
Kay Rietcheck – Health Information Management
Laura Staab – Nuclear Medicine
Christi Steinle – Cardiology Clinic
Brittney Stewart – Hays Family Medicine
Dr. Wally Walstrom – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Brad Willer – CT Scan

5 years
Becky Adams – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Lexi Bainter – Emergency Room
Gregory Bethel – Retail Pharmacy
Rebecca Bigge – Operating Room
Mark Cain – Materials ManagementKylie Cooper – CPCU
Katrina Copeland – ICU
Taylor David – Anesthesia
Bryanna Diaz – Recovery Room
Lori Dome – Oncology Clinic
Tayler Eckhoff – Acute Care Unit
Jared Engel – Respiratory Therapy
Conner Fiscarelli – Administration
Amy Gelatt – Pastoral Care
Julia Gfeller – Medical Oncology Treatment Center
Gina Givens – CPCU
Danelle Glines – CPCU
Cody Gross – BioMed
Lyric Hale – Hays Family Medicine
Nicole Hammond – Pharmacy
Mattie Hutchison – Health Information Management
Rhonda Klaus – Corporate Compliance
Anthony Knipp – Materials Management
Bridget Knipp – Cardiology Outpatient
Karen Konkel – CPCU
Dr. Christopher Lundberg – Anesthesia
Kaylee Mead – Walk-In Clinic
Melissa Moreno – ENT
Ragen Numrich – Retail Pharmacy
Jennifer Peirano – CPCU
Dr. Tuyet Pham – Anesthesia
Jerica Priest – Discharge Planning & Social Services
Lee Ann Rankin – Phlebotomy
Terry Redetzke – Nursing Administration
Aaron Roe – Information Systems
Melissa Salisbury – Urology Clinic
Nichole Schiffner – Pharmacy
Kirsten Schroeder – Walk-In Clinic
Steven Schulze – Pastoral Care
Dr. Abigail Serpan – Hays Family Medicin
Hannah Sherman – Urology Clinic
Brittany Snodgrass – Hays Orthopedic Clinic
Sarah Stoecklein – Ultrasound
Brooke Stoll – CPCU
Gina Tholen – Dietary Service
Azha Tillitson – Acute Care Unit
Sara Weber – Operating Room
Austin Werth – Laboratory
Reagan Wilkerson – Acute Care Unit
Marietta Wilson – Pediatric Clinic
Valerie Yarmer – Laboratory

Understanding Prostate Health and the Importance of Early Detection

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time to start conversations, raise awareness, and encourage men to take an active role in their health. At HaysMed, we are committed to providing education, screening services, and compassionate care to support men and their families across western Kansas.

What Is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland found in men, located below the bladder. It plays an important role in the male reproductive system by helping produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

As men age, the prostate can change. While many prostate conditions are not cancerous, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men.

When Should Men Start Thinking About Screening?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but most men should begin discussing prostate health and screening with their healthcare provider around age 50. In western Kansas, rates of aggressive prostate cancer are higher than the national average. While a variety of factors may influence this trend, earlier screening may be recommended for some men, especially those who:

• Have a family history of prostate cancer
• Are at higher risk due to genetic or other health factors

Talking to your HaysMed healthcare provider can help determine what’s appropriate based on individual health history and risk factors.

Why Early Detection Matters
When prostate cancer is found early, before symptoms appear, it is often more treatable. Early detection can:

• Increase treatment options
• Improve outcomes
• Provide peace of mind through monitoring or timely care

Because prostate cancer often develops slowly and without noticeable symptoms at first, regular conversations with a provider are an important part of proactive health care.

HaysMed’s Commitment to Men’s Health
HaysMed offers comprehensive men’s health services, including prostate cancer screening, advanced diagnostic tools, and coordinated care close to home. Our care teams are here to answer questions, provide education, and support patients at every stage.

This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, HaysMed encourages men and their families to stay informed, start conversations, and prioritize health for today and the future.

HaysMed provides comprehensive, specialized care for prostate cancer and men’s urologic health. Through Western Kansas Urological Associates and the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute, patients can access early screenings, robotic surgeries, and advanced radiation therapy close to home.

Services and treatment options include:

Diagnostics & Screenings

• Early Detection: The Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute and affiliated clinics offer routine PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) tests for early detection, which is highly recommended for men over 50 or those with risk factors.
• Vision RT Technology: State-of-the-art 3D imaging technology helps ensure accuracy throughout treatment.

Treatment Options

• Robotic Surgery: Surgeons utilize the da Vinci Surgical System to perform minimally invasive prostatectomies. This allows for improved precision, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times compared to open surgery.
• Radiation Therapy: HaysMed offers advanced, highly targeted radiation treatments designed with both precision and patient convenience in mind.

Expert Urology Care for Western Kansas
HaysMed’s Urology team provides comprehensive care for patients with both routine and complex urologic conditions. With a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, and specialists, patients have access to expert care close to home.

Beyond serving patients in Hays, our team extends specialty expertise across the region through outreach services at regional hospitals and specialty clinic appointments in Great Bend and Dodge City, helping more patients receive advanced urologic care without traveling long distances.

The HaysMed Urology team includes:

• Ernesto Lopez-Corona, MD
• Kevin McDonald, MD
• Kevin Nasseri, MD
• Srinivas Samavedi, MD
• Caitlin Gabel, APRN
• Ed Habash, PA
• Christina Schmidt, APRN
• Danielle VonFeldt, APRN

Contact Information

• Primary Care: Your primary care provider can help you stay proactive about your health. Don’t have a primary care provider? HaysMed Family Medicine is accepting new patients. Call 785-623-5095 to establish care and schedule an appointment.
• Urology appointments: Call 785-628-6014 to reach Western Kansas Urological Associates at HaysMed.