Beginning at birth and continuing for a lifetime, Memorial Community Hospital & Health System (MCH) is your connection to quality healthcare services. MCH takes pride in the talented team of physicians and physicians assistants that have been assembled within our health system.
Our dedicated medical staff serves the residents of Washington and Burt counties by providing primary care services at the Blair Clinic and walk-in clinic, on our main campus, and through our outreach clinics in Tekamah and Fort Calhoun.
The MCH Specialty Clinic hosts more than 30 physicians practicing in a wide range of specialties from Allergies and Asthma to Urology and Pulmonology.
Surgical Services are offered in Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Urology, Podiatry, OB/GYN, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), and General Surgery.
The Blair, Fort Calhoun, Cottonwood, and Specialty clinics are departments of Memorial Community Hospital.
Dr. Sandra Baumberger
Dr. Baumberger attended medical school and completed her residency at Creighton University. She has special interests in Family Medicine. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of both the Nebraska and American Family Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Amanda Duxbury
Dr. Duxbury attended medical school at the University of South Dakota, Sanford College of Medicine. She completed her residency at the St. Joseph Family Medicine Program in Denver, Colorado. She has special interests in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. John Simonson
Dr. Simonson attended medical school and completed his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, the Nebraska Association of Family Medicine and is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He has special interests in Family Medicine and Geriatrics.
Dr. Kevin Sisk
Dr. Sisk attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and completed his residency at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic at Offutt Air Force Base in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a member of the Uniformed Services/American Academy of Family Medicine and the American College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has his Nebraska Medical License as an Osteopathic Physician and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Life Support Obstetrics, and is an instructor for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. He has special interests in Family Medicine and Obstetrics.
Dr. Paula Thielen-Kocharov
Dr. Thielen-Kocharov received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed her residency at UNMC in Family Medicine. She is Board certified in Family Medicine with a strong interest in and focus on women’s health and maternity care. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is experienced in C-Sections and minor office procedures. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is board certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and has certifications in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Obstetric Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Basic Life Support.
Dr. Lori Brunner-Buck
Dr. Brunner-Buck attended medical school and completed her residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics.
Lynda Arnold, PA-C
Lynda attended Bowman Gray School of Medicine. She is affiliated with American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants. She is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Elizabeth Dutton, PA-C
Liz attended medical school at Clarkson College. She is certificated in BLS, ACLS and PALS.
Nicole Kratochvil, PA-C
Nicole attended Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine and received her certificate in Physician Assistant Studies. She is affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants. And certified in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. She is also DOT certified.
Kimberly Kurtz, PA-C
Kimberly attended medical school at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Emily Mahon, PA-C
Emily attended medical school at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. She currently works for the United States Air Force as a PA-C in addition to working at MCH&HS in the Blair Clinic.
She is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Amber Miller, APRN
Ashley O’Banion, APRN
Ashley O’Banion attended nursing school at Clarkson College in Omaha, NE and got her graduate degree in Nursing from Creighton University.
Christy Ott, PA-C
Christy attended medical school at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Nicole Privatera, APRN
Nicole received her Master’s in Nursing Science, Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska
Kelsie Scheer, APRN, PRN
Kelsie received her Bachelor and Doctorate of Nursing licenses at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha. She is certified in BLS and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Bruce Town, PA-C
Bruce attended medical school at University of Iowa College of Medicine. He is affiliated with the Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He has a special interest in Occupational Medicine, is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Laura Fuller, PA-C, PRN
Laura attended medical school at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She is affiliated with American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Society of Air Force Physician Assistants. She is certified in BLS, ALS, PALS, and ATLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Paige Trausch, PA-C
Paige attended medical school at Union College in Lincoln, NE. She is affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and is certified in BLS and PALS. She is also a certified DOT medical examiner.
Dr. Paula Thielen-Kocharov
Dr. Thielen-Kocharov received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed her residency at UNMC in Family Medicine. She is Board certified in Family Medicine with a strong interest in and focus on women’s health and maternity care. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is experienced in C-Sections and minor office procedures. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is board certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and has certifications in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Obstetric Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Basic Life Support.
Amber Miller, APRN
Amber received a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from Clarkson College in Omaha.
Dr. Kevin Sisk
Dr. Sisk attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and completed his residency at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic at Offutt Air Force Base in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a member of the Uniformed Services/American Academy of Family Medicine and the American College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has his Nebraska Medical License as an Osteopathic Physician and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Life Support Obstetrics, and is an instructor for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. He has special interests in Family Medicine and Obstetrics.
Dana McCabe, PA-C
Dana attended medical school at University of Nebraska Medical School. She is Board Certified by the National Commission of Physician Assistants and is affiliated with American Academy of Physician Assistants and Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants. She is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Paula Thielen-Kocharov
Dr. Thielen-Kocharov received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed her residency at UNMC in Family Medicine. She is Board certified in Family Medicine with a strong interest in and focus on women’s health and maternity care. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is experienced in C-Sections and minor office procedures. Dr. Thielen-Kocharov is board certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and has certifications in Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Obstetric Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Basic Life Support.
Dr. Kevin Sisk
Dr. Sisk attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and completed his residency at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic at Offutt Air Force Base in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a member of the Uniformed Services/American Academy of Family Medicine and the American College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has his Nebraska Medical License as an Osteopathic Physician and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Life Support Obstetrics, and is an instructor for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. He has special interests in Family Medicine and Obstetrics.
Dr. Amanda Duxbury
Dr. Duxbury attended medical school at the University of South Dakota, Sanford College of Medicine. She completed her residency at the St. Joseph Family Medicine Program in Denver, Colorado. She has special interests in Family Medicine and Obstetrics. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Dr. Maurice Birdwell
Dr. Birdwell attended Medical School at Creighton University. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Albany Medical Center Hospital. He is Board Certified by the American Board or Emergency Medicine, a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Dr. Jeremy Lee
Dr. Lee attended the Des Moines University of Osteopathic Medicine and spent his residency at the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; training at more than 10 different facilities in the area. He is Emergency Medicine Board Certified. He is also certified in ACLS, PALS, BLS, and ATLS.
Dr. Mark Shirley
Dr. Shirley attended medical school at the University of Health Services in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Shirley is American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ATLS certified.
Dr. Walter Wood
Dr. Wood received his Graduate Degree, Master of Science, and graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Certifications include the American Board of Family Medicine.
Derek Nelson, PA-C
Derek attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Jean A. Simonson
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine
Master of Academic Medicine: University of Southern California, Keek School of Medicine
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Becky L. Corum, CRNA
Graduate Degree: Master of Science, Nurse Anesthesia
Graduated from Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska
Certifications: National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, BLS, ACLS, PALS
Clark R. Jackson, CRNA
Graduate Degree: Master of Science, Nurse Anesthesia
Graduated from Bryan College of Health Science, Lincoln, NE
Certifications: RN, CRNA, BLS, ACLS
Katrina Longe, CRNA
Graduate Degree: Master of Science, Nurse Anesthesia
Graduated from Bryan LGH College of Anesthesia
Certifications: National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, BLS, ACLS, PALS
Bernard (Bernie) Manley, CRNA
Graduate Degree: Master of Science, Nurse Anesthesia
Graduated from St. Mary’s College, Winona, MN
Certifications: CRNA, RN, BLS, ACLS, PALS, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Michael W. Suing, CRNA
Tony Tran, CRNA
Graduate Degree: Master of Science, Nurse Anesthesia
Graduated from Mount Marty College in Sioux Falls, SD
Certifications: National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, BLS, ACLS, PALS
Dr. Temple Anzalone
Dr. Vanessa Chen
Dr. Jalila Hudson
Dr. Adam Macdissi
Dr. Twethida Oung
Ashley O’Banion, APRN
Ashley O’Banion attended nursing school at Clarkson College in Omaha, NE and got her graduate degree in Nursing from Creighton University.
Dr. Griffith Evans
Medical School: Creighton University Medical School
Residency: University of New York at Stony Brook
Dr. Peter Piperis
Medical School: Creighton University Medical School
Residency: Creighton University and Washington University Affiliated Hospitals
Eva Hecht, Au.D.
Dr. Mark Chouinard
Medical School: Georgia Institute of Technology Medical College
Residency: USAP Medical Center
Dr. John Henry
Medical School: Northwest University
Residency: Wilford Hall Medical Center, USAF
Certifications: Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
Dr. Stephen O’Connor
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology
Dr. Ronald Pritza
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Residency: Creighton University Affiliated Hospitals
Certifications: American Board of Internal Medicine
Dr. Jalal Vargha
Medical School:
Residency:
Certifications:
Brian Herbin, PA-C
Brian Herbin PA-C received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He obtained his Masters of Education in Athletic Administration also from UNL and graduated from the Union College Physician’s Assistant Program in 2002.
Dr. Jessica Moran-Hansen
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Dr. Gregg Drabek
College: Dakota Wesleyan University, Vermillion, SD (BS)
Medical School: University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD (M.D.)
Residency: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, OK (Surgery)
Certification: Diplomat, American Board of Surgery
Dr. Timothy Dorius
Dr. Dorius attended the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medicine. He is board certified in Hematology and Oncology, as well as in Internal Medicine.
Dr. James Schwarz
Dr. Schwarz attended the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC and completed his residency at Duke University. He completed fellowships at Duke University and the University of Missouri with a research associate position at Harvard University. He is board certified in Hematology and Oncology, as well as in Internal Medicine.
Dr. John Treves, F.A.C.S.
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Certifications: Board of Neurological Surgery
David Siebels, PA-C
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Certifications: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), BLS, ACLS, and Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants
Dr. Andrea Leishman-Barb
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin
Certifications: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Adrienne Perfilio
Medical School:
Internship:
Residency:
Certification: Board Certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Patricia Terp
Medical School: Creighton University
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Dr. Daniel Ocel
College: College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE (M.D.)
Residency: University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (Orthopedic Surgery)
US Navy Veteran, Head of Orthopedic Surgery in Corpus Christi
Fellowship: North Shore Foot and Ankle Clinic, St. Leonards, NSW Australia and the Miller Clinic in Charlotte, NC
Memberships: Colorado Medical Society, American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Thomas Saylor
College: University of Arizona, BA and MA
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine
Residency: Creighton University, University of Nebraska Allied Health Foundation
Certification: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
Bruce Town, PA-C
Bruce attended medical school at University of Iowa College of Medicine. He is affiliated with the Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He has a special interest in Occupational Medicine, is certified in BLS and ACLS and is Board Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Steven Meinhold
College: Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Medical School: Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, IL
Certification: Board certified, American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Sugata Sensarma
Dr. Sensarma attended medical school at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital and completed his fellowship at Creighton University in Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine.
Dr. Galen M. Meyer
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency: Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine
Certifications: American Board of Urology
Dr. Scott Wattenhofer
Medical School: University of South Dakota School of Medicine
Linda Berry, APRN
Dr. Navdeep Sood
Medical School: Government Medical School in Patiala, Punjab, India
Residency: FUHS/Chicago Medical School
Dr. Jeremy Baum
Dr. Gregory Beyer
Dr. Adrienne S. Dekarske
Dr. Shane Dieckman
Dr. Patricia A. Helke
Dr. Suzanne Hruza
Dr. Matthew Jaksha
Dr. Michelle Petersen Jones
Dr. David Rupiper
Dr. Bruce Baron
Dr. Jeremy Baum
Dr. Michael J. Clegg
Dr. Mary Davey
Dr. Tami DenOtter
Dr. Shane Dieckman
Dr. Greg Eckert
Dr. Chad Eicher
Dr. Joel Elson
Dr. Don Evans
Dr. Barry Fanders
Dr. Suzette Fink Bryan
Dr. Thomas Forrest
Dr. Andrew Frager
Dr. Andrew Gelbman
Dr. John Guynan
Dr. John Haggstrom
Dr. Patricia Helke
Dr. Suzanne Hruza
Dr. Matthew Jaksha
Dr. Kyle Krehbiel
Dr. Matthew Kruse
Dr. Jeb List
Dr. Cheryle Manasil
Dr. Katie Mendlick
Dr. Steven Osborn
Dr. Subhash Paknikar
Dr. Erik Pedersen
Dr. David Rupiper
Dr. Chris Schlaepfer
Dr. Johanna Schubert
Dr. Michaela Tilgner
Dr. Jane West
The No Surprises Act protects patients from large and unexpected surprise bills for out-of-network emergencies and certain non-emergency services provided in in-network health care facilities.
810 North 22nd Street
Blair, Ne 68008
Hospital Main Phone Number:
