HaysMed Celebrates the Strength of Jeff and Melissa Dewey
At HaysMed, we believe in the power of community, compassion, and courage, and few embody these values more than Jeff and Melissa Dewey.
Melissa, HaysMed Volunteer Gift Shop Manager, has been a joyful presence at HaysMed since 2024, bringing warmth and kindness to everyone she meets. Her journey to Hays began in 2020 with her husband Jeff and their three sons, the youngest of whom recently graduated from Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. Originally from Ness City and Cimarron, the Deweys are true western Kansas folks, deeply rooted in rural values and community spirit.
Jeff and Melissa Dewey family.
Before joining HaysMed, Melissa worked as a paraeducator to stay close to her boys, while Jeff built a career in banking and agriculture, driven by a lifelong passion for the cattle market. Their shared interest in real estate led them to form Team Dewey with Coldwell Banker Executive Realty in Hays, where they quickly became known for their energy and teamwork, often jokingly referring to themselves as “Bonnie and Clyde.” Their entrepreneurial spirit also led them to open Doghouse Liquor, which they successfully ran for three years before selling in 2024 to focus on family and health.
That decision became even more meaningful when Jeff’s lifelong battle with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) reached a critical point. Diagnosed years ago after his father received a kidney transplant from Jeff’s mother, Jeff has lived under the weight of this genetic condition. When the time came for his own transplant, Melissa stepped forward, not just as a caregiver, but as a donor.
Jeff Dewey outside the Center for Transplantation
On October 14th, Jeff and Melissa underwent the kidney transplant surgery in Kansas City. Melissa’s recovery is expected to take 4-6 weeks, while Jeff’s will be slightly longer, followed by a few weeks of close monitoring. Throughout this journey, they’ve been supported by a team of caregivers, including Lisa Dinkel, HaysMed’s Director of Imaging Services and Melissa’s lifelong friend. Lisa, who has served HaysMed for 35 years, even volunteered to be tested as a donor herself. Though she was a match, Melissa’s markers proved to be the best fit.
Lisa Dinkel, HaysMed’s Director of Imaging Services during her donor testing process.
Their story is one of resilience, love, and the incredible power of giving. Melissa shared how the donor process opened her eyes to the thorough care and support provided to donors, including full health screenings and lifelong priority should they ever need a transplant themselves.
At HaysMed, we are honored to walk alongside the Dewey family during this chapter of their lives. Melissa’s presence in our Volunteer Gift Shop has brought joy to our halls, and her story reminds us all of the profound impact of community, family, and selfless love.
Please join us in sending your thoughts and support to Jeff and Melissa as they recover and continue to inspire us all.
Jeff and Melissa Dewey
