Thacker named Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation director

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Cody Thacker was looking for a position that offered the opportunity to support Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), while simultaneously allowing him to become more involved in his community.

His search led him to his new position as PVCH Foundation director.

“This position affords me the opportunity to support our local, community hospital,” said Thacker, a Kansas native. “I have a strong respect for what this hospital means to Larned, Pawnee County and the surrounding area.

“In addition, I am now able to become better acquainted with more of my neighbors in central Kansas.”

As Foundation director, Thacker works closely with the non-profit entity’s Board of Trustees. They collaborate on community relations, fundraising projects and events, private-donation oversight, endowment management and capital campaigns.

“Gifts to the Foundation provide vital philanthropic support to help fund life-saving equipment, as well as special PVCH projects and programs that advance quality healthcare in our community,” Thacker noted. “This is the Foundation’s mission.

“A great example,” he elaborated, “is the Foundation’s capital campaign, which raised funds to bring 3D mammography to our hospital. This is the latest and most advanced breast imaging available today and we have the community to thank for it.”

In the short-term, Thacker is moving forward with Foundation projects already in motion.

“I also hope to suggest new ideas for consideration, while making it a priority to connect with individuals and businesses,” he commented. “I am eager to get to know as many community members as I can.

“Looking ahead, I want to work closely with the trustees to carry out the Foundation’s mission. In partnership with them and private donors, our goal is to satisfy the long-range healthcare needs of Pawnee County and the surrounding area.”

Thacker grew up just north of Offerle; his parents live on a farm there. He lives in Larned where his twin sister and one brother reside too.

He graduated from Spearville High School in 2010 and is currently studying for his bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing through Fort Hays State University.

Previous employment includes area field manager at U-Haul International in Larned; sales representative at Midway MFG in Kinsley; clubhouse manager at Cimarron Golf Club in Cimarron; and sales representative for Lewis Automotive in Garden City.

 

Dr. Arlo J. Reimer, Family Medicine Physician, Joins the Team at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital

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As Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates continue to grow to meet the community’s needs, they are proud to welcome Arlo J. Reimer, MD, MHCDS, and his family to Larned, Kan. A Kansas native, Dr. Reimer was born in Ulysses, grew up in Satanta, and has practiced in Kansas his entire medical career.

Within his offices at Pawnee Valley Medical Associates, Dr. Reimer will provide a full spectrum of family health for all ages, including all clinic procedures and women’s health needs. He begins seeing patients on November 28.

“I love living and practicing medicine in small Kansas communities, and rural healthcare has always been my passion,” Dr. Reimer said. “I chose to join the Pawnee Valley team because I was most attracted to the hospital’s great reputation, facility and leadership. This is a wonderful organization and community, and the partnership with HaysMed is a terrific model for keeping healthcare local, while always ensuring access to high-level specialized care.”

Dr. Reimer treats the complete range of family health needs. He sees patients of all ages, ranging from infants and children to tweens, teens and adults at every stage of life – from the routine wellness exam to those with conditions that require specialized care, like diabetes, heart disease and pregnancy. For all patients, Dr. Reimer says it is very rewarding to get to know them and help them achieve and maintain good health.”

Encouraging healthy habits like regular check-ups and smart lifestyle choices is an essential aspect of family medicine. “An ounce of prevention, we’ve all heard, is worth a pound of cure – and there’s no doubt that’s true,” Dr. Reimer said. “It’s always better to prevent illness than treat a more serious condition down the road. Healthcare is most effective when it’s approached as a partnership, and I’m here to be that partner.”

Dr. Reimer earned his medical degree in 1997 from the University of Kansas School of Medicine after graduating with honors in 1993 from Friends University in Wichita, Kan. He completed his residency at Via Christi in 2000 and is board certified in Family Practice.

In 2017, Dr. Reimer received a master’s degree in Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. Before joining the Pawnee Valley team, he practiced at two Kansas hospitals: Herington Municipal Hospital and Kearny County Hospital. He also served as Chief Medical Officer in Kearny, and he was Chief of Medical Staff at both hospitals.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Reimer has chosen Larned and Pawnee County as his new home for practicing medicine,” said Melanie Urban, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Administrator. “His impressive credentials and experience will be of great value to our hospital, our clinic and our community. We look forward to his leadership and care.”

Dr. Reimer and his wife, Angela, have two sons, Daniel and Nathaniel, both now in college. In his spare time, he has a broad range of interests, from athletics to woodworking and singing.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates currently have openings for clinical and non-clinical positions across a variety of shifts and departments. Visit pawneevalleyhospital.com/careers to learn more and apply.

 

Dr. Herwich now seeing patients at Larned hospital and clinic

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A family-medicine physician, who recently moved to Larned, has started seeing patients at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and its clinic, Pawnee Valley Medical Associates.

Kurtis Herwich, DO, is caring for and treating patients of all ages, offering the full range of primary-care services. His office is at the clinic.

“I have been interested in a smaller community ever since I started medical school,” Dr. Herwich said. “There are many challenges in rural areas but Larned has an excellent balance. It provides many services found in larger cities, as well as those offered in collaboration with HaysMed.

“The facilities are very impressive and it is obvious that this community cares deeply for their hospital,” he added. “Everyone has been welcoming and I hope they are as excited about working with me as I am about working with them.”

Dr. Herwich treats the whole gamut of family-medicine conditions – from anemia to zinc deficiency.

“Most days there is a mix of sore throats, runny noses, itchy eyes and sports injuries, as well as chronic conditions such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high blood pressure.

“We also encourage health maintenance and management through yearly check-ups and offer advice about healthy lifestyles,” he noted. “It is easier to establish good habits to prevent disease than it is to treat a condition once it has developed.”

Dr. Herwich has specialized training in Wilderness Medicine, which focuses on patients in austere environments where an Emergency Department is not readily available.

“This includes treatment for injuries, lightning strikes, elevation sickness and snake bites,” he explained. “I also have training in advanced wound care.”

In addition, Dr. Herwich has a personal understanding of the challenges that patients and their families encounter.

“My personal health experiences have given me valuable insight into the medical system, teaching me empathy and perseverance.

“I always try to treat my patients with the same dignity and respect that I would expect for myself. I empower patients to be involved in decision-making to optimize their outcomes.”

The physician offered a definition of a DO, doctor of osteopathic medicine, who receives the same training as an MD, medical doctor. “But there is also additional training for DOs in hands-on techniques for muscle, joint and spine concerns.”

Dr. Herwich earned his DO degree in 2010 at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. His family-practice residency was performed at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in Niagara Falls, N.Y., from 2011 to 2015.

Previous employers include Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, Hillsboro Community Hospital and Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care, Kansas City, Ks.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Herwich earned a bachelor’s in mass communications/radio & TV at Kansas State University in 1994. He worked in video and film production, mostly as a sound recordist, for about 14 years. This included extensive national and international travel.

Today, his traveling companion around town and other destinations is Buster Bleu, a rescue cat.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Herwich to our family-medicine team,” said Melanie Urban, Administrator of Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. “His passion for patients, listening to their stories and empowering their active role in their own care make him an excellent addition to our hospital and community.”

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. The Pawnee Valley Medical Associates clinic, 713 W. 11th, provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.

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923 Carroll Avenue
Larned, KS 67550

620-285-3161

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