Precision Medicine & Surgical Expertise You Can Trust
At Community HealthCare System, we are dedicated to excellence across all our medical and surgical services. With advanced surgical expertise, techniques, technology, and operating suites – far above what you would typically find at a small rural hospital – we have a proven record of exceptional surgical care and outcomes. From same-day imaging and personalized treatment plans to our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to your care, our surgical services include:
Bariatric surgery
Breast biopsies and breast cancer surgeries
Ear, nose, and throat surgery
Endoscopy procedures and colonoscopies
General surgery
Orthopedic procedures
Laparoscopic procedures
Removal of skin cancers and tumors
Podiatry surgery
Shouldice hernia repair (a technique that does not use mesh)
Trauma surgery
Urologic surgery
Anesthesia pain management services
Advanced imaging services, including wide-bore MRI, which makes imaging tests more comfortable for larger patients and those with claustrophobia
Expert and compassionate nursing care as you recover
View our Specialty Clinic Calendar or call 785-889-5039 for an appointment
Renowned Surgical Expertise for Our Community
Our surgical team is led by David Cancelada, MD, a highly skilled general surgeon with extensive experience in surgery and trauma care, including 25 years of service as a military surgeon. He performs many types of surgical procedures, from simple to highly complex, and says he loves helping rural Kansans because their "honesty, humbleness, and hard-working mentalities" remind him of his military comrades. From the military field to the fields of Kansas, Dr. Cancelada delivers precision surgical expertise you can trust.
Dr. Cancelada sees patients in Onaga every Monday and Wednesday, and appointments are also available at our St. Marys and Holton clinics. Learn more or call 785-889-5039 to schedule an appointment.
Collaborative, Patient-Centered Care
CHCS surgeons approach surgery as a collaborative effort, working closely with your primary care provider, experts in comfort and pain control (nurse anesthetists), laboratory physicians (pathologists), imaging experts (radiologists), nurses – as well as your family and caregivers. We believe this team approach leads to the best outcomes for your recovery. After surgery, our pain management experts and occupational and physical rehabilitation specialists work hand-in-hand with your surgeons and nurses to ensure your complete recovery – getting you back to the life you love.
From our clinical, nursing, and therapy teams to our nutrition, dietary and support specialists, environmental services teams, and more, we are focused on safe, effective, patient-centered care that meets your needs – in health and in life.
A Recognized Leader in Rural Health
Experience medical and surgical care excellence within your communities from a recognized leader in rural health. With a rich, 70+ year history of caring for patients across all stages and phases of life, we are frequently recognized for quality and performance excellence across our full continuum of care. Explore our awards and accreditations here.
Contact Us
Community HealthCare System
Surgery Department
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays and weekends except for emergencies
785-889-5108
David Allen, MD
Family Medicine
Location: Holton
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Birth Center, Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Youth Services, Medical & Surgical Care
David Allen, MD
Friendly, thorough, and passionate about caring for families, Dr. David Allen brings decades of experience to Holton Family Health Center. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine after completing his undergraduate studies at Kansas State University, then trained in family medicine at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita. Dr. Allen provides comprehensive care for all ages, with special expertise in obstetrics (including C-sections), pediatric care, and gastrointestinal procedures.. Whether he's welcoming a new baby into the world or helping a patient manage chronic conditions, Dr. Allen is committed to building long-term relationships and improving lives through compassionate, whole-person care.
Marcus Weiser, DO
Family Medicine
Location: Onaga
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Birth Center, Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Youth Services, Medical & Surgical Care
Marcus Weiser, DO
Dr. Marcus Weiser is passionate about the variety and connection that come with rural family medicine. A Bethany College graduate, he earned his medical degree from Kansas City University and completed his residency—serving as chief resident—at Via Christi in Wichita. Board-certified in family medicine, Dr. Weiser also performs C-sections, colonoscopies, EGDs, and obstetrics. He loves teaching future physicians and serves as a clinical assistant professor and preceptor for two medical schools. Originally from northwest Kansas, Dr. Weiser now lives in Onaga with his wife and five children. Outside of work, you’ll often find him with his family, coaching youth sports, or enjoying a round of golf.
Rick Abbott, CRNA
Anesthesia
Locations: Onaga, Holton, St. Marys
Position: Anesthesia
Medical Service: Medical & Surgical Care
Timothy Gateley, DPM
Podiatry
Location: Onaga
Position: Specialty Clinic Provider
Medical Services: Specialty Clinics, Podiatry, Medical & Surgical Care
Timothy Gateley, DPM
Timothy B. Gateley, D.P.M., is a licensed podiatrist in Topeka, Kansas who has been practicing Podiatric Medicine for over 15 years. He is a residency-trained foot surgeon offering both surgical and conservative treatments. Dr. Gateley attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1999. He then attended the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, where he received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 2003. Dr. Gateley completed a two-year surgical residency at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center, where he was the chief resident.
Tyler Grindal, MD
Ears, Nose & Throat
Locations: Onaga, St. Marys
Position: Specialty Clinic Provider
Medical Services: Specialty Clinics, Ear, Nose & Throat, Medical & Surgical Care
Tyler Grindal, MD
Dr. Grindal's clinical interests are adult and pediatric earn, nose and throat and head and neck surgery. He holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Kansas State University and attended medical school at the University of Kansas. He completed his residency at the University of Florida department of otolaryngology.
David Cancelada, MD
Surgery
Locations: Onaga, Holton, St. Marys
Position: Surgery
Medical Services: Medical & Surgical Care, Specialty Clinics
David Cancelada, MD
Dr. David Cancelada earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland—the nation’s military medical school. He went on to complete his surgical training at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and is board-certified in both general surgery and surgical critical care. Dr. Cancelada served 25 years in the U.S. Army, holding assignments at numerous military medical facilities, including the U.S. Army Burn Unit. His career also included multiple deployments to Iraq as commander of a forward surgical team, as well as missions to Honduras and Haiti in support of the 2010 earthquake relief effort. His military service earned him numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. In 2006, Dr. Cancelada and his family moved to Kansas when he was assigned to Fort Riley. After retiring from the military in 2010, he continued his commitment to patient care as a general surgeon serving communities across Kansas. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a member of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). His clinical interests include trauma and critical care, bariatric and anti-reflux surgery, and cancer surgery (breast and colon). Dr. Cancelada practices at both Community HealthCare System and Stormont-Vail Medical Center (SVMC), where he is an active member of the Level 2 trauma service and serves as Course Director for the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program. He is also an assistant professor of surgery at USUHS and a preceptor for the Kansas State University Physician Assistant Program.