Around the Bend: Recent Episodes
The University of Kansas Health System
Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System is your opportunity to learn more about the people, services and happenings at the health system in Great Bend. We take a close look at how the community and health system support one another. Local listeners can catch the monthly radio show at 8:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday each month on KVGB 1590 AM or 95.5 FM.
Julie Ward, RN, MSN, chief nursing officer in Great Bend, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus CEO, on the July episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss the many opportunities high school and college students have at health system locations throughout Great Bend. Student experiences at the health system in Great Bend are broad and varied, including in nursing, radiology, patient experience and more. To learn more about student opportunities at the health system in Great Bend, call 620-603-7423.
Peyton Zink, CCC-SLP, and Emma Biltoft, CCC-SLP, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus CEO, on the June episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, to discuss the importance of speech and language services in healthcare for people of all ages, the breadth of speech therapy treatments, and swallow studies and feeding therapy.
On the May episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, Great Bend Campus CEO, and Haley Gleason, APRN-BC, discuss the importance of providing women's health and obstetric care in our rural community. They also talk about how critical cancer screenings are, including pap tests, mammograms and colonoscopies.
Adam Blankenship, maintenance manager for the health system in Great Bend, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus CEO, on the April episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss how important the work done behind the scenes is to keep health system facilities in Great Bend safe, clean and well-maintained inside and out for patients and staff.
The March episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System features Brooke Bachar, RN, and Paige Nordman, PharmD, as well as John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator. Brooke is a unit coordinator for the special nursing team, which works especially closely with Paige on the pharmacy care team. They discuss the individualized care the special nursing team provides each person they care for.
Julie Ward, RN, MSN, director of nursing, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the February episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss the critical role of nurses in every healthcare setting, how the social work team supports patient care and opportunities the health system provides nurses.
Jake Thompson, DPT, manager of rehabilitation, facilities and nutrition, and Brik Thompson, DPT, physical therapist, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the January episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, to discuss the importance of physical therapy treatments and care, including HydroWorx water therapy and dry needling, and treatment of concussion.
Lindsey Schartz, RN, BSN, perioperative unit coordinator, and Bob Suelter, retired attorney and community member of the Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC), join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the December episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss the importance of the PFAC and the role the members of the committee play in helping the health system listen to the community.
Jessica Pries, MD, general surgery, and Glenda Holzman, MD, radiology, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the November episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Pries discusses minimally invasive surgery and some cancer screenings, while Dr. Holzman talks about her role in reading radiological tests and performing interventional radiology procedures among other topics.
The October episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System focuses on topics related to breast cancer and features Micca Schneider, MD, and Shannon Deines, MPS, RT, joining John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator.
Amir Naderi, MD, hospitalist and board-certified internal medicine specialist, joins John Worden on the September episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss what the role of a hospitalist is in the inpatient setting and more.
On the August episode of Around the Bend at The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, PharmD, Great Bend Campus administrator, discusses how quality and service drive everything each member of the staff does in caring for our patients. He also talks about how collaborative specialty care works with the health system in Kansas City, introduces new physicians who are joining the Great Bend team and other topics.
On the July episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Miranda Brown, RN, nurse manager for labor and delivery, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator. They discuss topics related to the information new moms and repeat moms can benefit from about labor and delivery experiences at the hospital.
On the June 2025 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, is joined by Kimberly Clarke, RN, certified emergency nurse and Emergency Department nurse manager. They discuss differences between emergency care and urgent care, conditions that might warrant a trip to the ED, and summer safety tips including heat, tick bites, sunburn and more.
In this episode of Around the Bend learn more about the intersection of technology and healthcare. Jenice Williams, RN, BSN and regional director for clinical informatics, joins John Worden, PharmD and Great Bend Campus administrator on the show. They discuss electronic health records, telehealth doctor visits, the roles of the team of clinical technology liaisons and clinical informatics analysts and more.
On the April episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Katie Patterson, CCC-SLP, and Emma Biltoft, CCC-SLP, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, to discuss the growth of speech and language therapy services for children and adults in Great Bend.
Micca Schneider, MD, and Annie Dagg, MD, join John Worden, PharmD and Great Bend Campus administrator on the March episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss the high-quality obstetrics care available at the health system in Great Bend.
On the February 2025 episode of The University of Kansas Health System’s Around the Bend, Tom Dagg, MD, family medicine and sports medicine, and Jonathan Pike, MD, family medicine and obstetrics, join John Worden, PharmD, Great Bend Campus administrator. They discuss the breadth of musculoskeletal care available in Great Bend for injuries ranging from overuse during everyday activities to significant athletic injuries.
In the January episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Jenna Daily, talent acquisition consultant, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator. They discuss the importance of finding the right people to fill positions at the health system and the robust benefits packages available to health system employees. Jenna also provides interview tips for anyone preparing for a job interview.
Julie Ward, RN, MSN, director of nursing in Great Bend, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the December episode of Around the Bend. They discuss Ward's role as director of nursing and the significance of the Vizient recognition and what it means for our care teams and our patients and community.
On the November episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Dianna Holguin, pediatric nurse practitioner, joins John Worden, PharmD, Great Bend Campus administrator. They discuss pediatric topics including respiratory illnesses, vaccines and treatments for colds, flu and RSV, and share family tips for the holidays, winter and cold weather.
Shannon Deines, radiation operations manager for Great Bend Campus, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the October episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Shannon discusses breast health and the importance of getting regular screening mammograms, as well as understanding follow-up testing after mammograms.
John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, is joined by Elena Taboada, LPN, and Laura Maneth, human resources business partner, on the September episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss tuition reimbursement – a benefit of working for the health system – and other health system education opportunities and employee recognitions and how they improve patient-centered care.
On the August episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, Jessica Corbett, RN, medical surgical manager, and Amber Anderson, social worker, discuss nursing DAISY awards, the swing bed program and comprehensive patient care, as well as development of other programs to enhance patient care.
On the July episode of Around the Bend, Ashley Vonada, PA, at Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic joins John Worden to discuss summer tips, including sun safety, tick-borne illness and sports injuries.
Jonathan Pike, MD, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the June episode of Around the Bend. They discuss the development of a hospitalist program at Great Bend Campus to expand inpatient care and men’s health concerns including testosterone levels and prostate health.
The May episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System features Katie Patterson, speech-language pathologist, who joins Jake Thompson, regional manager of rehabilitation services, and Regan Reif, strategic marketing program manager. Katie discusses how to know when you should seek the services of a speech-language pathologist and how speech-language services at the health system work.
Misty Smolarkiewicz, home health occupational therapist, joins Jake Thompson, regional manager of rehabilitation services, and Regan Reif, strategic marketing program manager, on the April episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss occupational therapy services and how they help people regain skills they need to perform daily activities.
Veerayyagari Annapurna, MD, and Haley Gleason, APRN-BC, join John Worden, administrator of Great Bend Campus, on the March episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Haley and Dr. Anna discuss the importance of women's health beyond obstetric care and caring for women throughout their lives.
Josh Gant, respiratory therapist and director of ancillary and support services for The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend, joins John Worden, administrator of Great Bend Campus, on the February episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Sara Bryant, RN, and Mike Penn, RN, of Great Bend’s cardiac rehabilitation team, join them on the show to discuss their role in cardiopulmonary health.
Jules Whiteman, MD, board-certified radiologist with a special interest in breast imaging, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the January 2024 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Whiteman discusses his work as a radiologist, how he feels about practicing and living in Central Kansas and how he works with other physicians to care for patients.
In the December episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Marta Edmonds, MD, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator to discuss the Great Bend Children’s Clinic joining the health system. Dr. Edmonds also talks about her love of pediatric care, her pediatric colleagues and the Great Bend community.
Megan Johns, RN, MSN, perioperative nurse manager, and Amber Keenan, surgical technician, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, in the November episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. They discuss the surgical technician training program, the roles of those in the operating room and what people should know before they have surgery.
In this month’s episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Elise Snapp, APRN, family practice nurse practitioner, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator. Learn more about Elise and her journey to practice in family medicine.
Haley Gleason, APRN-BC, women’s health, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, on the September episode of Around the Bend, where they discuss the breadth of unique healthcare needs of women beyond obstetrics including osteoporosis and heart disease. Their conversation covers medications, testing services, and how the women’s care team empowers their patients to take charge of their health.
In the August episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, is joined by orthopedics/sports medicine specialists Thomas “Tom” Dagg, MD, family medicine and sports medicine physician, Wade Babcock, PA, orthopedics, and Jake Thompson, DPT, physical therapist. They discuss concussion baseline testing, prevention and care when an athlete does experience a concussion.
In the July episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Laura Frederking, laboratory supervisor, and Perla Escobedo, blood bank department head, join John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator. Many people may not realize the integral role laboratory specialists play in patient care, and Laura, Perla and John discuss the critical work that happens behind the scenes in the lab.
In this episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, Shannon Deines, Imaging Manager, and John Worden, Great Bend Campus Administrator discuss the latest advancements in medical imaging. They highlight the benefits of new MRI technology at Great Bend Campus and discuss a new service offering: low-dose CT lung cancer screening. Additionally, Shannon and John address multiple breast cancer screening options available to patients in Great Bend and welcome Dr. Jules Whiteman to the team.
In the May episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, meet Drs. Anna “Annie” and Thomas “Tom” Dagg. They both provide family medicine care. Dr. Annie Dagg has a particular interest in obstetrics care, while Dr. Tom Dagg completed a fellowship in sports medicine and enjoys treating sports medicine patients of all ages.
Listen to the April 2023 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System to meet Mark Calcara, a community member who serves on the Great Bend Campus advisory board. He joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, to discuss how the health system strengthens the community.
Learn more about the perioperative team and pharmacy team and how they work to keep the hospital running smoothly. You’ll also learn about special nursing services that include infusions, wound care, injections such as allergy shots and more, and the move of the care team to a dedicated patient treatment space. Megan Johns, RN, perioperative nurse manager, and Jared Smith, PharmD, director of pharmacy, join John Worden, Great Bend campus administrator for the March episode of Around the Bend.
Have you ever stopped to think about how much technology is used in healthcare? In this month’s show, Scott Flowers, desktop support manager for The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend, joins John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, to discuss how the health system in Great Bend keeps its technology secure and up-to-date.
John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, is joined by Kim Clarke, RN, and Peter Mick, APRN. They discuss what life is like inside the Emergency Department, including what it means to be a Level IV trauma center and how the emergency care team treats a growing number of patients each day.
Meet Wade Babcock, PA-C, and learn more about the providers and services at Central Kansas Orthopedic Group, which joined The University of Kansas Health System in August 2021. Babcock talks with John Worden, Great Bend Campus administrator, about coordinated orthopedic care including orthopedic surgery, physical therapy and sports medicine. Central Kansas Orthopedic Group offers immediate assistance for injured athletes through its sports injury hotline.
On the November episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, get a behind-the-scenes look at how healthcare technology improves patient care with Jenice Williams, regional director of clinical informatics for Greater Kansas. You’ll also learn about the patient app called MyChart, which improves patients’ access to their medical information and healthcare providers.
In the October episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, meet Kenda Werth, central billing manager in Great Bend. You’ll learn how the health system keeps patients the focus of billing services in working with insurance companies and care providers. Our financial teams are here to make the financial side of your healthcare far less stressful.
Meet two of our quality and safety specialists, Jill Hardy, health system infection prevention specialist, and Yomba Von Seggern, director of safety, quality and risk management in Great Bend. They join John Worden, Great Bend administrator, to explain how we work to keep our patients safe and healthy so they experience the best outcomes.
In the August 2022 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System you’ll meet Josh Gant, director of ancillary and support services, and learn more from him about how the operating room/sterile processing department remodel, updates to imaging equipment, our free medication disposal service and new lab equipment benefit our community.
Meet Gina Westhoff, PA-C, family medicine provider at St. Rose Medical Pavilion, in the July 2022 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System. Westhoff and John Worden, interim administrator, discuss what a PA does, including what medical services they provide.
In the June 2022 episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden, interim administrator, and Donita Wolf, RN, manager of Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, discuss how home health and hospice expand the services of the health system and benefit patients who need these services. They also talk about what services home health and hospice provide and how to find out who qualifies for them.
In the May episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, you’ll meet Joshua Boone, DPM, and learn more about his specialty as a podiatrist. John Worden and Dr. Boone discuss foot and ankle surgery and other conditions for which a person might see a podiatrist.
In the third episode of Around the Bend with The University of Kansas Health System, get a behind-the-scenes look at imaging services available in Great Bend. Imaging Services Manager Shannon Deines talks about mammography, MRIs, CT scans and more, including information about the schooling and education needed to become a radiology technologist.
In the second episode of “Around the Bend” with The University of Kansas Health System, John Worden and Rebecca Popp join Patrick Burnett. Popp discussed the growth and convenience of patient care as both health system family practice clinics are now located at St. Rose Medical Pavilion. Two family practice and obstetrics physicians, Micca Schneider, MD, and Jonathan Pike, MD, are Great Bend natives who are proud to serve their hometown. Popp and Worden also explain how the transition to a single electronic medical record within the system benefits patients as any health system provider they might see, either here or in Kansas City, has access to the same information leading to a higher level of care.
In the inaugural episode of “Around the Bend” with The University of Kansas Health System, listeners meet John Worden, PharmD, MS, BCPS, interim administrator for Great Bend Campus. Listeners also learn what to expect from the new monthly radio show that will highlight people, doctors, services, and more that is available to them in Central Kansas. In honor of Heart Month in February, Worden discusses cardiology services offered at St. Rose Medical Pavilion by Great Bend native Rigoberto Ramirez, MD, who sees patients monthly. Worden also highlights the health system’s new program, “All Things Heart,” available on social media channels. Worden highlights the growing OB-GYN team by announcing the addition of Veerayyagari Annapurna, MD, who joins Jodi Henrikson, MD, at the Medical Pavilion. These physicians provide comprehensive care for women. Additionally, Jonathan Pike, MD, and Micca Schneider, MD, family medicine physicians, provide obstetrics care. Worden also applauds the hospital team for a successful re-accrediation survey, which happens every three years. Accreditation surveyors had high praise for the team’s pride and commitment to caring for patients.