A Feel-Good Moment at CHCS
July 22, 2025
Categories: Provider story
Over a recent weekend, Dr. Connor found out that one of our patients was celebrating his third birthday in a row at the hospital. Instead of letting the day quietly pass by, Dr. Connor made it special. He brought in a sweet treat—with sprinkles and a candle—thanks to a quick assist from his wife and kids, and led a heartwarming birthday celebration, complete with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” from the team.
You don’t find doctors like that just anywhere....
Community HealthCare System Welcomes Dr. Ben Harstine
July 23, 2024
Categories: General, News, Provider story
Community HealthCare System is pleased to announce that Dr. Ben Harstine will join its medical staff this fall.
Dr. Harstine earned his bachelor of science in Public Health Nutrition from Kansas State University and attended medical school at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his family medicine residency and family medicine obstetrics fellowship at Waco Family Medicine in Waco, Texas. He recently received both his family medicine and family medicine obstetrics...
Community HealthCare System Welcomes Dr. Collin Connor
July 23, 2024
Categories: General, News, Provider story
Community HealthCare System is pleased to announce that Dr. Collin Connor will join its medical staff in September.
Dr. Connor graduated from Emporia State University (ESU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. He attended medical school at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his family medicine residency at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, Kansas.
Dr. Connor did not always know he wanted to be a physician. It wasn’t until after...
CHCS adds specialty clinic providers
January 16, 2023
Categories: News, Provider story
Community HealthCare System offers an array of specialty clinics in Onaga, Holton, and St. Marys locations to better serve patients in rural northeast Kansas. Partnerships with specialty physicians and providers help patients receive needed care without having to travel long distances to Topeka or Kansas City. Specialty Clinic offerings currently include the following:
Allergy/immunology Audiology Cardiology Dermatology Ear, nose & throat Obstetrics/gynecology Orthopedics Oncology Pain...
Botox provides treatment option for chronic migraines
January 6, 2023
Categories: News, Provider story
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe pain and be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, an extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Individuals who suffer from migraines can be affected for hours to days at a time and can experience interruptions in daily activities. Medications are available to prevent migraines or make them less painful. Botox injections are one option that Community HealthCare System can offer to patients who meet certain criteria.
Dr. Kendra Reith recently took...
CHCS adds oncology to specialty clinic offerings
July 8, 2022
Categories: News, Provider story
Starting in late summer, patients will be able to see an oncologist at Community HealthCare System in Onaga. Dr. Adrian Caracioni from The University of Kansas Cancer Center at St. Francis Campus will see patients one day a month in Onaga starting in early September.
Dr. Caracioni (pronounced ka-ROCH-e-oh-nee) has practiced for more than 25 years and treats patients with blood disorders such as anemia or hemophilia as well as blood cancers and other cancers in patients age 16 and over.
Merica...
Summer safety roundup
June 14, 2022
Categories: Community health news, Provider story
by Dr. Kendra Reith
Summer is here, and families are hitting the road for vacations and enjoying time outdoors. Taking a moment to review a few best practices and tips can help you keep your youngest family members safe this summer.
Heading out on a road trip? Take a close look at your child’s car seat. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to U.S. children, and when correctly used, child...
Behind the headlines: What does new SIDS research mean?
May 25, 2022
Categories: News, Provider story
By Dr. Nancy Zidek
A recent study about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, has made news headlines. The study was published in the journal eBioMedicine and stated that the biochemical marker for the cause for SIDS was discovered. This is exciting news, but the big headline is not completely accurate. The study was based in Australia. The group analyzed blood samples taken at birth from 600 newborns. The researchers then found that babies who died from SIDS had a lower level...
CHCS welcomes Dr. Kendra Reith
November 15, 2021
Categories: News, Provider story
Community HealthCare System is pleased to welcome Dr. Kendra Reith to its medical staff. She will begin seeing patients in January 2022.
Dr. Reith (pronounced “right”) graduated from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She finished her residency at Smoky Hill Family Medicine in Salina earlier this year. At Smoky Hill, Dr. Reith gained extensive hands-on experience in family practice along with obstetrical care, or OB,...
Specialty Clinic Provider of the Month: Dr. Kenneth Hobbs
November 9, 2021
Categories: Provider story
CHCS provides a number of specialty clinics each month in our Onaga, Holton, and St. Marys locations. Dr. Kenneth Hobbs, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM, is our specialty clinic provider of the month.
Podiatry is the medical and surgical treatment for foot disorders. Dr. Hobbs said his interest in podiatry stems from his college days when he was an avid jogger. “I get great satisfaction when I can help my patients maintain their mobility,” he said.
Some...
