Emergency Care
Our Emergency Department is staffed 24/7 and our trained staff are here when the unexpected happens. Patients receive emergency care in a safe environment from a team of skilled medical providers, nurses and staff who bring expertise and compassion, providing around-the-clock professional care, as well as diagnostic imaging assessments and lab testing.
We have been recertified as a Level IV Trauma Center by The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Level IV Trauma Centers must meet rigorous requirements and verify adequate processes, protocols, training and resources in place to provide high quality, evidence-based trauma care for the best possible outcome. Designated trauma centers are evaluated every three years.
Onaga Community Hospital has also received accreditation from the American Heart Association as an Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital.
When time matters are Emergency Department is here for you.
Look for the following symptoms:
Chest pain
Stroke or stroke-like symptoms
Obvious fracture
Breathing difficulty
Uncontrollable bleeding
Sudden dizziness or weakness
Coughing or vomiting blood
Pregnancy complications
Severe abdominal pain
Severe lacerations
Vision changes
Loss of consciousness
You can trust that you will receive compassionate care at CHCS.
Level IV Trauma Center
When a traumatic injury occurs, designated trauma centers are prepared to provide a full range of emergency care, including assessment, resuscitation, and stabilization. Designated trauma centers must meet essential criteria that ensures trauma care capability and institutional performance as outlined by the American College of Surgeons and endorsed by the Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma.
The goal of the Kansas Trauma System is to ensure each patient is properly triaged and matched to the hospital with the most appropriate resources as quickly as possible. Because patients with severe injuries require rapid, specialized treatment to ensure the best chance for recovery, a trauma system increases their chances for survival and reduces their chance of permanent disability.
Community HealthCare System’s Onaga Hospital is a Level IV Trauma Center, which means the hospital provides:
Around the clock coverage by doctors and nurses trained in advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocols
24/7 laboratory and diagnostic imaging coverage
Close working relationships with local and regional EMTs to ensure patients are transported to the most appropriate facility when necessary
Trauma Team
When the trauma team is activated, patients are met by an emergency room doctor, lab and imaging staff. A thorough evaluation is performed along with any needed lifesaving interventions. On occasion, a higher level of care may be needed, and patients are transferred to a Level I, II or III trauma facility.
Trauma patients admitted to Community Hospital Onaga can count on continued support of their physical and emotional recovery. Patients have access to a full rehabilitation staff, social workers, and more.
Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital
If you or someone you know should experience symptoms of stroke, seek emergency help immediately–call 911–do not wait!
A stroke can be devastating for both patients and families.
Communty Hospital Onaga has met American Heart Association criteria to receive the Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital designation, including adherence to written emergency stroke protocols and the ability to provide around the clock:
Brain image testing (CT scans)
Blood coagulation studies
Thrombolytic therapy (tPA), used to break or dissolve blood clots
A transport plan with one or more hospitals that have neuro-interventional expertise
CHCS has developed this transport plan together with the University of Kansas Medical Center, Stormont-Vail HealthCare and Saint Luke’s Health System.
The University of Kansas Hospital was one of the first five healthcare facilities in the country, and the only one in the Midwest, to be recognized as an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) by The Joint Commission
Because time is crucial to stroke care, our stroke team takes immediate action when paramedics notify the Emergency Department that a stroke patient is en route to Community Hospital Onaga. Patients are quickly evaluated and treated—rapid treatment offers the best chance for surviving a stroke—the third leading cause of death in the United States.
Remember the warning signs of stroke:
BE FAST!
B - Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
E - Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes.
F - Does the face look uneven, or droop on one side? Ask the person to smile.
A - Does one arm drift down? Ask the person to raise both arms.
S - Does their speech sound slurred or strange? Ask the person to repeat a phrase.
T – Time is critical. Every second brain cells die.
Call 911 at any sign of stroke and describe the symptoms to the emergency dispatcher.
Emergency Medical Transporation
Air Medical
Children's Mercy Critical Care Transport and LifeStar provide regional emergency air ambulance helicopter service that provides rapid transportation for critically ill and injured patients who need specialized care. Air medical transport can be airborne within minutes of a call, 24 hours a day, every day, traveling at speeds above 150 miles per hour. This significantly reduces the transport time of critically ill patients, either from a transferring hospital or from the scene of an emergency.
Children's Mercy Critical Care Transport and LifeStar service various locations throughout the region, including a predesignated landing zone at Community Hospital Onaga.
Ground Medical Transport
Pottawatomie County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is an advanced life support ground ambulance service that provides high-quality emergency medical care at the scene of traumatic or medical emergencies and during transport to and between medical facilities. EMS works closely with CHCS medical facilities throughout its service area to ensure advanced level transport options are available to the community.
EMS provides regional ground medical transport through four stations located in the cities of Onaga, St. Marys, Wamego and Westmoreland, with the Onaga and St. Marys ambulances and crews residing at Community Hospital Onaga and St. Marys Family Health Center, respectively.
Mission: Lifeline Kansas and Project 10/30
Communty Hospital Onaga participates in the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Kansas and Project 10/30.
Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s program establishing regional Systems of Care focused on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which blood flow is completely blocked to a portion of the heart, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation.
Through partnerships with area EMS, dispatchers, and transfering hospitals, CHCS establishes streamlined systems of care to improve the process and outcomes of cardiac emergencies.
Project 10/30 is designed to improve the speed of recognition to reperfusion for patients with STEMI. The “10” stands for the time goal of 10 minutes for door-to-EKG interpretation. This time goal has been established by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association for many years, and non-compliance of this time is still found to be a major cause of delay in patient treatment. Rapidly obtaining an EKG, and immediately showing that EKG to an experienced provider for interpretation is the most effective method of triage in a patient with signs or symptoms of ACS. The “30” of Project 10/30 is reflective of 2 other important time goals: 30 minutes Door-in-Door-Out (DIDO) and 30 minutes Door-to-Needle in patients who are determined eligible for thrombolytics.
As part of the Lifeline Kansas network, the team starts preparations the moment its notified that a heart attack patient is on the way.
This network identifies hospitals that participate in coordinated systems of care for STEMI and meet the following 24/7 standards:
Facilitation of immediate STEMI patient transfer to PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention)-capable receiving centers.
Expertise and equipment to treat STEMI patients with thrombolytic therapy, if appropriate and if prompt transfer is not an option.
Treatment of STEMI patients according to American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines.
Use of protocols for immediate treatment and transfer of STEMI patients.
Prompt transfer of patient data to receiving center hospital team.
Coordination of patient’s return to local community and follow-up care after discharge from receiving center.
Through its Mission Lifeline program, the American Heart Association hopes to significantly reduce cardiac death by teaching the public to recognize and react to early symptoms of heart attack, reduce the time it takes to receive lifesaving treatment and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment administered.
For more information on the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline Heart Attack Referral Center Accreditation, visit www.heart.org/missionlifeline or www.scpcp.org.
Andrew Barnes, APRN‐C
Family Medicine
Locations: Centralia, Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Men's Health, Youth Services, Emergency Department, Women's Health, Family Medicine, Senior Care
Andrew Barnes, APRN‐C
Andrew Barnes, APRN, holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Baker University and a master of science in nursing from Washburn University. He is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a board-certified emergency nurse. He takes a special interest in emergency medicine, trauma, and acute care. Barnes was drawn to medicine through his father’s encounters with healthcare providers who always amazed him. He lives in Wheaton with his wife and three children, and he enjoys being outdoors with his family. They enjoy caring for cattle as well as dogs and barn cats.
Bonnie McKinsey, APRN-C
Emergency Department
Location: Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Service: Emergency Department
Bonnie McKinsey, APRN-C
Bonnie McKinsey, APRN, completed a bachelor of science in nursing degree at Washburn University and a master of science in nursing at Wichita State University. She as experience in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including the emergency department at Via Christi, the Riley County Health Department, and Lafene Student Health Center at Kansas State University. She has worked nights in the emergency department at Onaga since relocating here nearly six years ago. McKinsey is married to an Onaga native, and they made the decision to try small-town living at the time when their two youngest children were starting school and the oldest was off to college. They have found living, working, raising children, and enjoying life in a community where people truly care about their friends and neighbors to be a singularly wonderful experience. McKinsey feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve those in her community and neighboring communities alongside a remarkable healthcare team. McKinsey enjoys country outings with family and friends in our beautiful, bucolic setting.
David Allen, MD
Family Medicine
Location: Holton
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Men's Health, Youth Services, Birth Center, Emergency Department, Women's Health, Family Medicine, Senior Care, Medical & Surgical Care
David Allen, MD
Dr. David Allen holds degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita. His specialties are family medicine and obstetrics, including C-sections, GI procedures (upper and lower endoscopy), and pediatric services.
Kay Cummins, APRN‐C
Family Medicine
Location: St. Marys
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Services: Emergency Department, Family Medicine
Marcy Evans, PA‐C
Emergency Department
Location: Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Service: Emergency Department
Michele Reisinger, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Family Medicine
Locations: Corning, Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Men's Health, Wound Care, Youth Services, Emergency Department, Women's Health, Family Medicine, Senior Care
Michele Reisinger, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Michele Reisinger, DNP, APRN, and FNP-BC, is a rural Kansas native who has established a longstanding clinical practice of more than 25 years as a family nurse practitioner in her hometown of Onaga. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Washburn University and master of science in nursing plus doctor of nursing practice degrees from the University of Kansas. Reisinger serves on several local community and faith-based committees supporting her rural community. She is active in regional organizations including Big Lakes Developmental Center Quality Review Committee, Kansas Department of Health and Environment – Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance Advisory Group, and numerous doctoral committees involving the education of nurse practitioners. Professional affiliations include American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau nursing honorary, and Phi Kappa Phi academic honorary. In addition to her clinic practice, Reisinger is full-time graduate-level nursing faculty at Washburn University School of Nursing and the Primary Investigator on a Health Resources & Services Administration-funded grant focused on the education and preparation of rural nurse practitioners for practice in medically underserved communities. She is a prior fellow for the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities and was named a Rural Health Fellow by the National Rural Health Association. Reisinger’s clinical interests include preventive health/wellness, chronic disease management, and children with developmental exceptionalities. Michele has advanced training in wound, ostomy, and continence care and performs consultative services in these areas. She sees clients across the lifespan at CHCS clinics in Onaga and Corning.
Nancy Bosse, APRN‐C
Family Medicine
Locations: Onaga, Westmoreland
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Men's Health, Youth Services, Emergency Department, Women's Health, Family Medicine, Senior Care
Nancy Bosse, APRN‐C
Nancy Bosse, APRN-C, holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Washburn University and a master of science in nursing-family nurse practitioner degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Bosse worked in critical care, neurology, trauma, and general surgery for 20 years at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. Her areas of clinical interest are women’s health, pediatrics, and geriatrics, and she loves family practice because it allows her to help patients while getting to know them and their entire family. Bosse says the most important thing patients can do is to “let us know if you are not getting better. Follow up so we can help you!” Bosse grew up in Onaga and now resides in Wamego with her husband and two children. When not at work, she enjoys attending kids’ activities, being outside, gardening, and helping at the farm.
Nancy J. Zidek, MD
Family Medicine
Locations: Frankfort, Onaga, Holton
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Men's Health, Youth Services, Birth Center, Emergency Department, Women's Health, Family Medicine, Senior Care
Nancy J. Zidek, MD
Dr. Nancy Zidek graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor of arts in microbiology and holds a degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Wesley Family Practice in Wichita, Kansas. She is particularly interested in women’s health and performs colposcopies and places birth control implants and intrauterine devices, or IUDs. Dr. Zidek is a lifelong Kansas resident and a second-generation doctor. Her father practiced for more than 40 years in Marysville, Kansas, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to join the same profession. She enjoys “being part of the family” and watching her young patients grow and mature into adults. Dr. Zidek is married and has two almost-grown kids. Her daughter, Bethany is married. She is a doctor and is in her Family Medicine Residency at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, KS. Elijah is working in Kansas City. Dr. Zidek and her husband, Paul, enjoy being empty-nesters and are trying to travel more. They have two “spoiled mutts” and enjoy feeding hummingbirds in the summer, when they have up to 10 “hummers” who visit their feeders.
Debra Rezac, APRN‐C
Family Medicine
Location: Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Men's Health, Women's Health, Youth Services, Family Medicine, Senior Care
Debra Rezac, APRN‐C
Debra Rezac, APRN-C, holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Washburn University and a Master of Science degree in nursing from University of Southern Indiana, graduating in the family nurse practitioner specialty. Rezac is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Before coming to Onaga, Rezac worked in an intensive care unit and pulmonary-critical care practice in Topeka. She has been with CHCS since 2007. She is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support. Areas of interest include women’s health, preventive care, general wellness, respiratory and cardiac care. Rezac’s practice includes patients of all ages, from infants to advanced age. “Working in rural health care certainly presents significant challenges, but it also provides unique rewards. There is something about being a part of people’s lives during the best and worst of times. You just don’t get to do that with most jobs,” she says. When not at work, she loves spending time with her family and close friends. She likes to travel with her husband, Lance, and spend time with her family. She lives on a farm south of Onaga and has three grown children.
Rebecca Simon, MD
Emergency Department
Location: Onaga
Position: Physician
Medical Service: Emergency Department
Chance Williams, MD
Emergency Department
Location: Onaga
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Emergency Department, Family Medicine
Sheila Talley, PA‐C
Emergency Department
Location: Onaga
Position: Advanced Practitioner
Medical Service: Emergency Department
Sheila Talley, PA‐C
Sheila Talley, PA-C, holds a bachelor of arts degree in human biology from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Wichita State University. Talley is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Kansas Academy of Physician Assistants. Her areas of clinical interest include hospital and emergency medicine. She also regularly assists in surgery. Talley is originally from the Seneca area in Nemaha County. She lives south of Corning with her husband, Ross, and four children. She enjoys attending Centralia school sporting events and KU basketball games. Talley also enjoys exercising and spending quality time with friends and family.
John Meriwether, MD
Emergency Department, Family Medicine
Location: Onaga
Position: Physician
Medical Service: Emergency Department
John Meriwether, MD
Dr. Meriwether holds degrees from Kansas State University and McGill Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada. He also completed his residency at McGill Faculty of Medicine.
Merica Surdez, APRN‐C
Family Medicine, Leadership
Location: Onaga
Position: Chief of Provider and Clinic Operations
Medical Services: Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Youth Services
Merica Surdez, APRN‐C
Merica Surdez, APRN-C, holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Kansas Medical Center and a master of science in nursing-family nurse practitioner degree from Fort Hays State University. She maintains board certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is also certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Neonatal Resuscitation. Surdez’s areas of clinical interest include women’s health, including contraception counseling; reproductive health; prenatal care; lactation support; and preventive care. Surdez enjoys helping others when they need it most, creating relationships, and watching families grow. When asked for advice to share with patients, she says, “We all take our health for granted. Sometimes it takes work to better yourself. Do it! You’ll never regret investing in your health.” Surdez was born and raised in Frankfort, Kansas, and lives there with her husband, Derek, plus their two sons, Bowen and Blake, and their daughter, Wren. Surdez does not like chocolate but does enjoy spending time with family and friends, creating memories with her children, playing volleyball, and membership in the Teams of Our Lady (TOOL) church group.
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 graduated from Bethany College with a bachelor’s degree in biology and from medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He completed his residency at Via Christi (St. Joseph and St. Francis) in Wichita and served as chief resident. Dr. Weiser is board-certified in family medicine. He is also trained to do obstetrics and performs EGDs (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), colonoscopies, and C-sections. He particularly enjoys teaching both third- and fourth-year medical students as a clinical assistant professor in the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Family Medicine and as a clerkship preceptor for the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Dr. Weiser enjoys caring for others in a variety of settings. “I love family medicine, and it is a privilege to serve others as a family medicine physician. I find the variety that rural family medicine offers both challenging and rewarding,” he says. Dr. Weiser was born and raised in northwest Kansas and lives in Onaga with his wife and five children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, helping coach his kids’ sports teams, and, occasionally, golfing. Dr. Weiser is an active member of the American Association for Primary Care Endoscopy.
Ben Harstine, MD
Family Medicine
Locations: Centralia, Corning, Onaga
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Birth Center, Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Youth Services
Ben Harstine, MD
Dr. Harstine earned his bachelor of science in Public Health Nutrition from Kansas State University and attended medical school at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his family medicine residency and family medicine obstetrics fellowship at Waco Family Medicine in Waco, Texas. He recently received both his family medicine and family medicine obstetrics board certifications. Dr. Harstine always knew he had a strong desire to teach. In the years after college, while working in Manhattan, he realized he also wanted “to be in the trenches with folks discussing the events and on-goings of their daily lives.” “Medicine became a place where I could use a natural interest in the sciences and human well-being to do a little bit of both. I want to be an active listener and teach my patients the benefits of daily exercise and movement to improve overall health." As a native Kansan, Dr. Harstine has always dreamed of living and serving a rural Kansas community. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with CHCS as a medical student because my wife was from the area. I grew to love the hospital, staff, and community and I am glad to be joining an organization with such a long history of providing patient-centered care.” In his spare time, Dr. Harstine enjoys spending time with his wife Emily and their three children, working outside, exercising, reading and cooking. “Emily and I are excited to be back in rural Kansas, close to family, and are excited to make Onaga our home,” Dr. Harstine said.
Collin Connor, MD
Family Medicine
Locations: Holton, St. Marys
Position: Physician
Medical Services: Birth Center, Diabetic Care, Emergency Department, Family Medicine, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Youth Services
Collin Connor, MD
Dr. Connor graduated from Emporia State University (ESU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. He attended medical school at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his family medicine residency at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Connor did not always know he wanted to be a physician. It wasn’t until after he spent a year working as an AmeriCorps volunteer at a free medical clinic in Providence, Rhode Island that he realized that’s what he wanted to be. “After that experience, I knew I could use my gifts of teamwork, listening, and problem solving along with my love for learning and science to serve others. I also felt like it was a calling from God, especially how everything fell into place for me to apply and be accepted into medical school in just a few months. When I finally made the decision to apply for medical school I felt a lot of freedom. I had never been willing to attempt something so important or difficult if I knew that I may fail, but by entrusting the decision to God I felt at peace,” he said. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music/podcasts, reading, playing or watching almost any sport, and gardening. He plans to learn more about hunting and fishing and will be going on an elk hunting trip next year. Dr. Connor and his wife are both native Kansans and believe CHCS is a perfect fit. They will reside in Onaga with their three sons.