Practitioners:
Dr. Ronald Whitmer | Dr. Denis Kepka | Dr. Jerzy Slomka | Kayanne Meithler, ARNP |
Christena Hanson, RPA-C | Shawn McGowan, RPA-C | Michelle Brokes, PA-C |
Emily Lindsley, RN, BSN, MSN (C) | Medical Staff | Medical Staff Roster
 Dr. Ronald Whitmer:
A Wilson native who spent many years away from Ellsworth County, but came back to start his private practice. Dr. Whitmer received his Doctor of Osteopathy Degree in 1979 from the University of Health Sciences. Before that, he worked as an HSCP medical technologist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City.
As far back as high school, Dr. Whitmer dreamed of becoming a doctor. He also enjoyed being a part of his family’s farm operation and still does to this day. After graduating from high school, Dr. Whitmer attended Fort Hays State University, graduating with a degree in chemistry. He then did a one year teaching fellowship at Wichita State University.
Dr. Whitmer joined the Air Force where he attended officer’s training. He spent five and one half years in the service and then entered the University Of Arkansas School Of Medical Technology. After working as a medical technologist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, he began medical school. After graduating, Dr. Whitmer continued his education with an internship at Lakeside Hospital in Kansas City.
Dr. Whitmer is a past president of the Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also the medical director of the Wilson Nursing Home. What he enjoys most about being a physician is caring for his patients. He also has a unique hobby of flying planes. He has a pilot’s license and is working toward getting his instrument rating for flying in cloudy weather.
 Dr. Dennis Kepka:
Another Wilson native is Dr. Dennis Kepka. Dr. Kepka graduated from high school in Wilson and went on to Fort Hays State University where he continued his studies. After that he attended medical school from 1967 to 1977 at the Bologna School of Medicine and Surgery. He then served his residency in Family Practice.
Dr. Kepka loves the great outdoors. He enjoys up-land hunting, skeet shooting, collecting shotguns and fishing. Dr. Kepka also likes giving his time to his community. Every year he makes his famous spaghetti sauce for the annual Auxiliary Spaghetti Supper to help raise money to buy equipment for the hospital.
Some of Dr. Kepka’s accomplishments include his work for the Kansas Department of Corrections. Recently in Topeka, he received a citation for 15 years as a prison physician. He was also president of the Reno County Medical Society when he worked in Hutchinson.
 Dr. Jerzy Slomka:
Ellsworth also has the opportunity to benefit from a healthcare provider who came from a different culture altogether. Dr. Jerzy Slomka is originally from Poland. He came to Kansas in 1995 from New York City where he started his residency in 1992. Dr. Slomka studied medicine at the Academy of Medical Sciences in Lublin, Poland, where he earned the Medical School Dean’s Annual Scholarship for outstanding students.
After that, he served his internship at Rutkowski Hospital in Biala, Poland, where he did rotations in Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics and surgery. Dr. Slomka is a former player in a professional soccer division. He can read, write and speak Polish, English, Russian, German and Esperanto.
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 Kayanne Meitler, ARNP:
Kayanne Meitler, ARNP, grew up in Barton County and now resides in Wilson. After graduating high school, Kayanne attended the Asbury School of Nursing, Kansas Wesleyan University, and the Kansas University Family Practice Nurse Practitioner program.
She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, The Kansas Alliance of Advanced Nurse Practitioners, is ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified, and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certified. She also attended ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support). Kayanne really enjoys caring for her patients at the Rural Health Clinics. Not only does Kayanne enjoy working at the Ellsworth Rural Health Clinic, she also enjoys seeing patients at the Wilson and Lucas Rural Health Clinics.
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 Christena Hanson, RPA-C:
Christena Hanson, RPA-C, grew up in central Illinois and moved to Kansas after high school to attend Hesston College. She graduated from Grace Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for 20 years, eight of which were at Ellsworth County Hospital.
Christena decided to pursue her degree as a physician assistant at Wichita State University. She received her degree in 1991 and worked in Lincoln briefly before returning to Ellsworth in 1994.
Chris is a member of the Kansas Physician Assistant Association, the American Association of Physician Assistants, and the Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants. She recently passed her second national certification, which she must pass every six years. Chris enjoys the variety of patients she cares for and the diversity that is associated with working in a small rural health clinic.
 Shawn McGowan, RPA-C:
Shawn McGowan, RPA-C, attended high school in Dighton, Kansas. After graduating, Shawn attended McPherson College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Chemistry. Then, Shawn received his degree as a physician assistant in 2001 from Wichita State University. He is both ACLS and BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certified.
Shawn also received certification in PALS and ATLS. Shawn is a Chamber Ambassador and really enjoys living in a community where he can be an active member and raise his family in a safe environment.
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 Michelle Brokes, PA-C
Michelle is a graduate of Wichita State University and Kansas State University. Prior to coming to ECMC, Michelle worked as a Physician Assistant in a Critical Access Hospital and Health Department. Michelle spent several years working as a Laboratory Assistant in Hutchinson, Kansas before entering the Physician Assistant program at Wichita State University. She has many honors including: Lee Holder Award for Excellence in Graduate Allied Health Education, Kappa Phi Phi Honor Society, and Alpha Eta Honor Society.
Small town life suits Michelle and her husband Tony. They enjoy attending many of the Wilson High School ball games as well as local events. Patients find Michelle to be a knowledgeable and caring practitioner who is genuinely concerned about the welfare of her patients.
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 Emily Lindsley, RN, BSN, MSN (C)
Emily Lindsley spent many years as a nurse prior to pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner. Emily attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia Kansas and then received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2005 from the University of Kansas Medical Center. Emily brings to ECMC a wonderful blend of compassion and expertise.
Emily is married to Justin and they have three children. She is multi-talented and often plays the keyboard at church and assists in music ministry. Emily is tenacious about providing quality care and is always seeking out new avenues to improve the medical services of ECMC.
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