staffing changes

JoAnn has been the manager of Community HomeHealth for more than 15 years. Her variety of nursing experience -- from hospital floors and a pediatric physician’s office to a nursing home -- and her deep knowledge and dedication to providing high-quality care have helped Community HomeHealth earn a spot on the HomeCare Elite list of the top 25 percent of agencies...

CHCS has named Christy McDaris, LPN, as lead nurse at the St. Marys Clinic.

According to Merica Surdez, chief of provider and clinic operations, McDaris is an ideal fit.

“Christy is always kind, has a positive attitude, and is a hard worker. I’m excited that she has accepted this role and look forward to watching her grow,” Surdez said.

McDaris was born in Bakersfield, California, and moved to Westmoreland in 1990. She graduated...

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,...

CHCS is pleased to announce a new physical therapist in St. Marys.

Nathan Bailey is a recent graduate of Wichita State University and holds a doctorate in physical therapy. He grew up in Olathe and attended Johnson County Community College while working as an athletic trainer. He then finished his undergraduate career at Kansas State University, where he studied kinesiology.

Bailey looks forward to working at CHCS because of the “patient-first” mentality and the...

Community HealthCare System is pleased to welcome a new physical therapist to Frankfort and Centralia locations.

Nichole Miller is a native of the area, having grown up in Wetmore and Corning. She holds a bachelor of arts in exercise science from Ottawa University, where she played basketball for four years, and a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Saint Mary. Miller said she has come full circle because she was born at the Onaga Hospital and was a CHCS patient through...

CHCS is pleased to welcome Registered Nurse Kayle McNally-Knoblauch as the new Director of Nursing at St. Marys Manor.

McNally-Knoblauch, who goes by “Jake,” a nickname she earned when she was two and half years old and couldn’t sit still after a surgery to sew her thumb back on after an accident, grew up in Westmoreland and is a Rock Creek graduate. She earned Certified Nurse Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Registered Nurse qualifications...

Earlier this year, Dr. Tom Walsh announced that he would retire from Community HealthCare System at the end of 2021. CHCS is preparing to commemorate the occasion and celebrate his 46 years of service as a family physician. Anyone who knows “Dr. Tom” knows that he loves to tell jokes and stories, but we know many area citizens have great stories to tell about his care and compassion.

All are invited to share their stories of Dr. Walsh via mail or email by November...