Communication plays a vital role in our daily lives, and the month of May, Better Hearing and Speech Month, is the perfect time to celebrate it. HaysMed proudly recognizes our dedicated Speech-Language Pathologists: Jessica, MS, CCC-SLP, and Carol, MA, CCC-SLP, from Acute Care and Outpatient Services, along with Maria, MS, CCC-SLP, and Emma, MS, CCC-SLP, from the Rehabilitation Unit.

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a healthcare professional specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. This field requires an advanced degree to practice. In addition, most SLPs earn the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), a nationally recognized credential awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This certification signifies a high standard of clinical excellence and professional achievement in the field.

SLP’s diagnose and treat communication, swallowing, voice and other related disorders in the following settings:

• Hospitals (acute inpatient, rehabilitation units, etc.)
• Outpatient Rehabilitation setting
• Home Health
• Private Practices
• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Schools

Here at HaysMed, our Speech Language Pathologists provide services to treat:

• Cognitive communication disorders – due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, brain tumors, syndromes, and other developmental delays
• Motor speech Disorders – due to neurological conditions, stroke, TBI
• Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders – due to stroke, TBI
• Voice Disorders – due to vocal abuse/misuse, nodules, cyst, paralysis/nerve damage, laryngectomy, head/neck cancer
• Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)

Please contact HaysMed Speech Therapy at 785-623-5695 for more information about services or referral process.

HaysMed is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Hospital Awards, recognizing four exceptional individuals whose dedication, compassion, and leadership have made a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the broader community.

These annual awards celebrate those who go above and beyond in their roles, exemplifying the mission and values of HaysMed.

Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Jared Reed, PA-C

Jared Reed, PA-C, a Physician Assistant at the HaysMed Orthopedic Institute, has been named Advanced Practice Provider of the Year. Since joining HaysMed in 2012, Jared has become a trusted member of the orthopedic team. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, he moved to Hays after completing PA school in Montana. He credits Dr. Gulraiz Cheema, HaysMed orthopedic surgeon, as a key mentor in his career, saying, “Dr. Cheema has been the biggest factor in my growth as a PA; any of my achievements are actually his.”

Jared and his wife Ashley have been married for 14 years and are raising six children. The family enjoys outdoor adventures and spending quality time together.

2025 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year: Jared Reed, PA-C

Sr. Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year: Christina Hoff, BSN, RN

Christina “Chrissy” Hoff, BSN, RN, a Charge Nurse in the In-Patient Acute Care unit, has been named the 2025 Sr. Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year. With 15 years at HaysMed, Chrissy provides care for patients ranging from children to those in hospice, including inpatient chemotherapy.

“I approach every patient as someone’s loved one,” Chrissy said. “Hospitalization is a very difficult time, and I want my care to help them through such a challenging experience.”

Originally from near Hoisington, Chrissy now lives in LaCrosse with her husband and three children. She enjoys running, baking, and spending time with her family.

2025 Sr. Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year: Christina Hoff, BSN, RN

Vic Eddy, MD, Physician of the Year: Patricia Crawley, MD, FACC

Dr. Patricia Crawley, a cardiologist at the HaysMed DeBakey Heart Institute, has been named the 2025 Vic Eddy, MD, Physician of the Year. Her non-traditional path to medicine took her from attending college part-time in the evenings, to medical school at the University of Kansas, and an interventional cardiology fellowship in Brooklyn, New York. Today, she leads cardiac care efforts across Western Kansas, including seven outreach clinics each month.

“I truly enjoy working in a rural setting,” she said. “The people are so kind and respectful. Most anything they need from a cardiac standpoint can now be obtained at Hays Medical Center.”

Dr. Crawley expressed deep gratitude for the honor, saying, “I am so blessed to have incredible support from staff, colleagues, and administration. Even being nominated among this prestigious group of physicians is such a privilege.”

2025 Vic Eddy, MD, Physician of the Year: Patricia Crawley, MD, FACC

Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award: Vonda Ackerman

Vonda Ackerman, Senior Business Intelligence Developer in HaysMed’s IT department, is the recipient of the 2025 Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award. With 34 years of service, Vonda has played a vital role in shaping hospital operations and improving patient care.

“All the projects I’ve worked on have had an impact,” she said.

A native of Wakeeney and resident of Ellis, Vonda enjoys gardening, bowling, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her large family—including her husband, children, and eleven grandchildren.

2025 Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award: Vonda Ackerman

HaysMed is thrilled to recognize Emma Dinkel, Patient Care Technician in the Progressive Care Unit, as the very first recipient of the BEE Award. This special honor was presented during National Hospital Week, making the celebration even more meaningful.

Just as a daisy depends on the bee to thrive, our nurses rely on the dedication and teamwork of non-nursing healthcare professionals to provide exceptional patient care. To recognize this vital collaboration, HaysMed created the Being Excellent Everyday (BEE) Award, honoring outstanding contributions from non-nursing team members.

Emma was nominated by a patient’s family member, who shared:

“I got to know Emma and was very impressed with her work ethic. Emma is going to make a wonderful nurse; I loved her kindness and strong character. Emma is a rising star—her light shines from her to others, her face says it all. She is a very kind and caring young person with a bright future. Good luck.”

From left to right: Joben Rieth, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Emma Dinkel, and Jana Zeller, Manager of Professional Development.

Emma’s supervisor, Jana Zeller, Manager of Professional Development, expressed her excitement in recognizing Emma:

“Emma is one of the hardest working, most compassionate people I know. When Emma shows up for work, she is ready to go. She is always looking at ways we can improve and shares these with me regularly. Emma’s patients she cares for as a PCT always have wonderful things to say about her, and the cares she provides. Emma’s coworkers also know that when Emma is working,  she is on the move from start to finish taking the very best care of everyone on the Progressive Care Unit.”

Joben Rieth, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed also shared his enthusiasm for the award and Emma’s recognition:

“The BEE Award is a meaningful way to celebrate the incredible work of our non-nursing team members, who are essential to delivering high-quality care. Emma exemplifies the spirit of this award- her dedication, compassion, and teamwork make a lasting impact on our patients and staff. We are thrilled to honor her as our first recipient.”

Emma shared the following after receiving the award:

“What a wonderful surprise this morning-truly made my whole week! I’m so grateful to be part of such an incredible team and unit. Working on PCU has not only been a rewarding experience, but also such a valuable part of my growth as I continue my nursing school journey.

“The support and knowledge I’ve gained has helped shape who I am in my career and I couldn’t be more thankful!”

Patients, families, and Associates are encouraged to nominate non-nursing Associates who go above and beyond in their roles. Recipients are selected by a HaysMed committee and honored with a BEE Award pin, a certificate of excellence, and a bag of goodies.

If you know a non-nursing team member who exemplifies excellence in patient care, please take a moment to fill out the BEE Award nomination form and help HaysMed celebrate their incredible impact.

In celebration of the extraordinary care and compassion nurses provide every day, HaysMed proudly announced the recipients of this year’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This prestigious honor is part of a nationwide program that recognizes nurses who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional patient care.

The 2025 DAISY Award recipients truly embody the compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication that define nursing at HaysMed. Presented during National Nurses Week, these awards highlight the inspiring work of our newest honorees and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of their patients and colleagues.

Joben Rieth, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Services at HaysMed, shared his appreciation: “It’s truly a privilege to recognize Amber Thompson, Lea Staab, and Kaylyn Bustillos with the DAISY Award. These incredible nurses represent the very best of what it means to care—with compassion, skill, and a deep commitment to their patients and teams. Watching them make a difference every day is inspiring, and we’re so proud to celebrate their dedication and heart.”

Meet the HaysMed 2025 DAISY Award Honorees:

Amber Thompson, RN – Surgical Floor

Amber was nominated by a patient’s family. Here is what they said:

“Amber is an amazing nurse from the moment we got here up to the minute we left. She explained what was happening and described what to expect and what the process would be every step of the way. It felt like she was part of the family and took extra time to ensure we were informed that our loved one was taken care of. Can’t say enough good things about her and the staff at HaysMed. Great experience in a very stressful and emotional environment.”

Lea Staab, RN- Special Nursing Services/Vascular Access

Lea was nominated by a patient, here is what they said:

“I have had Lea before as she has assisted me before in the Special Nursing Services at Hays Medical Center in Hays. I have always enjoyed her presence and company while she performed these services. I think the small kind gestures by Lea, goes along way not just being a great nurse, but a great person. I am one who never forgets when people go out of their way to help me. I also think Hays Medical Center should be grateful to have a nurse like Lea.”

Kaylyn Bustillos, RN- Intensive Care Unit

Kaylyn was nominated by a patient’s family. Here is what they said:

“My father is in the ICU at Hays Medical Center. Its been a yo-yo ride with highs and lows every single day. When we were told they were going to put him on ventilator the family was terrified and heart broken. We were scared, we were confused, and had questions. Within the very first minutes of meeting Kaylyn our fears of care were gone. She was patient with us, she was confident in her abilities, she was caring, she was sympathetic to our situation. Over the next day or so I observed her as she cared for my dad. We saw her talking to him, comforting him, making sure to adjust his position, etc. all while not knowing she was being watched. “Integrity is always doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.” We are very blessed and grateful for her, her skills, her over, and her integrity. Thank you Kaylyn… From my family and from our deepest hearts. Wishing you the very best… You deserve it!”

HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor. If you feel that a nurse has exemplified the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model in our community, please complete the following form to nominate this nurse for the award.

From left to right: Jana Zeller, Kristy Schlaefli, Amber Thompson, and Joben Rieth

From left to right: Janine Kisner, Lea Staab, and Joben Rieth

From left to right: Joben Rieth, Kaylyn Bustillos, and Janine Kisner