When one local mother learned she was expecting her first baby, she and her husband began weighing one of the biggest decisions of their pregnancy: where to receive care and ultimately deliver their baby.

Because they live outside of Larned, they had several hospitals to choose from. They were drawn to HaysMed because of the reputation of Dr. Timothy Hoskins and the Birth Center team. At the same time, they already knew and trusted Dr. Arlo Reimer at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) Family Medicine.

When they learned about the Shared Care partnership between PVCH Family Medicine and HaysMed, the decision became much easier. She could receive much of her prenatal care in Larned with a provider she already knew and trusted while still planning to deliver with Dr. Hoskins and the HaysMed obstetrics team. For their family, it truly offered the best of both worlds.

“The convenience and confidence of shared care at PVCH Family Medicine and HaysMed made the decision of delivering in Hays that much easier,” she said.

Now 26 weeks pregnant with their first baby, she has already experienced firsthand how much of a difference the Shared Care model can make. Completing routine appointments, lab work and ultrasounds in Larned has meant less time on the road, more flexibility during the workday and more PTO saved for after her baby’s arrival.

She has also appreciated seeing Dr. Reimer locally, describing him as knowledgeable and always willing to answer her questions, something she says has helped ease many of the nerves that come with a first pregnancy.

The value of local care became even more apparent when unexpected concerns arose during her pregnancy. Instead of making another trip to Hays, additional lab work and ultrasounds were coordinated in Larned. “It helped ease the stress of the situation by not adding travel time,” she said.

Throughout her pregnancy, she has also appreciated the communication between her care teams. “I’ve been able to have labs drawn at one location and discuss them at the other,” she said. “There is a running document throughout my pregnancy that both locations can see and update. Their collaboration creates confidence in knowing my baby and I are well taken care of.”

For expectant mothers considering the program, she believes the benefits are clear.

“If you live locally, this option is incredibly convenient,” she said. “Whether you need labs drawn, an ultrasound completed or a routine appointment, PVCH creates a more practical option instead of having to drive an hour or more for routine care. Not only does shared care save time, but it also provides peace of mind knowing that HaysMed and Pawnee Valley are working together to provide the care expecting mothers deserve.”

As she prepares to welcome her first baby, she’s grateful she didn’t have to choose between convenience and confidence. Through the Shared Care partnership, she found both.

If you’re planning to deliver at HaysMed, ask your provider about the Shared Care partnership available through PVCH Family Medicine.

Related information:
Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Women’s Health
HaysMed Birth Center
Prenatal Education Classes

When you find out you’re expecting, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the first is where to go for care during your pregnancy. For many patients in our area, that often means planning to deliver at HaysMed. What some may not realize is that many routine prenatal appointments can happen much closer to home. 

With frequent appointments throughout pregnancy, the time and travel required for each visit can quickly add up. Through a shared care model between Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Family Medicine and HaysMed Center for Women’s Health, many routine visits can take place right here in Larned while still delivering with a trusted OB team at HaysMed.  

Access to care also includes services offered locally, including OB ultrasounds and on-site lab work. Our team works closely with HaysMed to coordinate care behind the scenes, helping ensure patients are seen at the right time and place throughout their pregnancy. Patients can talk to their provider about what works best for them. 

Patients choosing to deliver at HaysMed can be cared for by Dr. Reimer in our Family Medicine Clinic, who has extensive experience delivering babies in rural Kansas hospitals. That background, along with a close working relationship with HaysMed, helps ensure patients receive coordinated, thoughtful care throughout their pregnancy. 

“My previous OB experience includes more than 20 years of delivering babies in rural hospitals, with over 1,200 deliveries,” said Dr. Arlo Reimer, MD. “Although we don’t deliver babies here in Larned, I’m glad to be able to offer prenatal care through a shared model with Dr. Hoskins at HaysMed. It allows moms to complete some of their routine visits locally instead of traveling an hour or more for care in Hays.” 

Pregnancy often comes with questions. Many patients simply want to know they are making the right decisions for themselves and their baby. This approach helps provide that reassurance, offering the support of a specialized OB team alongside the comfort of being seen close to home. 

“This shared care model really shows what’s possible when providers work closely together for their patients,” said Dr. Timothy Hoskins, HaysMed OB-GYN. “Families in rural communities can receive prenatal care close to home in Larned with Dr. Reimer at PVCH, while still feeling confident about delivering at HaysMed. It’s about making care more convenient, while ensuring patients feel supported and confident every step of the way.” 

For many patients, that means fewer trips on the road and more time focused on their health and preparing to welcome a new baby. 

After delivery, care continues right here in Larned with providers you already know and trust. Newborns can be seen at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Family Medicine for their first Well Child visit, and as they grow, care can continue through every stage of life. 

If you live in Pawnee County or the surrounding area and are planning to deliver at HaysMed, talk with your provider about this shared care model, which allows you to receive some of your prenatal care closer to home at Pawnee Valley Family Medicine. 

Learn more about women’s health services available at PVCH by visiting pawneevalleyhospital.com/womens-health.

For Hannah Wahl, choosing where to practice physical therapy has always been about more than just a job. It has been about people — and the communities that need care most.

Wahl, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, recently joined the rehabilitation team at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, bringing three years of clinical experience in rural healthcare and a specialized skill set that is entirely new to the therapy department. For the community she now calls home, her arrival means something meaningful: expanded access to care, right where they live.

Growing up in Lakeview, Ore. — a town of roughly 2,500 people — Wahl developed an early appreciation for what rural healthcare means to families who depend on it. “It allows patients to be treated by medical professionals they know personally, which adds to the trust and engagement in their care,” she said. That conviction only deepened during her previous role as a physical therapist at a critical access hospital in rural New Mexico.

She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University in 2023 and was drawn to the profession for the relationships it makes possible. “I enjoy the ability to see patients over a longer period, develop a connection with them, and help them make meaningful changes in their lives,” Wahl said.

At Pawnee Valley, she treats outpatient and inpatient cases across a wide range of conditions — but one area of her practice stands out as something the hospital has not offered before. Wahl is trained in pelvic floor therapy, a specialized approach that addresses conditions such as pelvic pain, incontinence, constipation, and prolapse in men and women. She has a particular passion for supporting pregnant women through discomfort and helping postpartum patients return to their pre-pregnancy activity levels.

“While often seen as a taboo topic, many people are struggling with pelvic floor issues that go unaddressed,” Wahl said. “It is important for patients to know they can bring up concerns about pelvic floor function because many of these issues are very treatable.”

Jason Rath, Rehab Director at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, is enthusiastic about what Wahl brings to the team. “Hannah exhibits compassion and professionalism with caring for all demographics, and she has already made an impact with excellent patient care and customer service,” he said. “She is an amazing fit for our team, and we are extremely lucky to have her.”

Wahl’s move to Larned was also a personal one. After the birth of her son last year, she and her husband wanted to be closer to her tight-knit family — and when Wahl’s sister relocated to Lyons nearby, Larned started to feel like the right place to put down roots. “The community here has been so welcoming,” Wahl said. “I could tell that the staff had great relationships with patients, and since then have realized that extends to co-workers as well.”

Outside the clinic, Wahl enjoys spending time with her husband and 1-year-old son, along with working out, gardening, and hunting.

For those considering physical therapy, Wahl’s message is simple: “I am so happy to be a part of this community and truly care about improving their lives. I want to serve all my patients well with therapy that will allow them to do the things that are important to them.”

A longtime member of the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital team has stepped into a new leadership role.