Bio:

Jennifer Hamons, PA-C, has always known her heart belongs in rural Kansas. Born and raised in Osborne County and growing up in Downs as the daughter of a veterinary practice she developed an early appreciation for caring for others, hard work, and the deep connections that define small-town life—values that continue to shape her approach to medicine today.

She attended Kansas State University, where she met her husband, and later earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Wichita State University. After completing her training, she and her husband made their home in Phillips County, where she has spent the past 20 years caring for patients and building lifelong relationships.

Jennifer practices full-spectrum rural family medicine and has had the privilege of caring for patients at every stage of life—from infancy to walking alongside families through end-of-life care. Her experience includes clinic, hospital, emergency room, and nursing home care. She has a special passion for geriatrics, chronic disease management and internal medicine, while also loving the continuity that comes with caring for entire families, including their children.

For Jennifer, medicine is deeply personal. She believes in showing up for her patients not just as a provider, but as someone who truly knows them—their stories, their struggles, and their goals. She is passionate about advocating for rural healthcare and ensuring patients have access to thoughtful, consistent, and compassionate care close to home.

Outside of work, Jennifer’s greatest joy is her family. She and her husband, Chad, a local business owner, are raising two children, Griffin and Adelyn. Together, they enjoy spending time at the lake, traveling, and making memories on their hobby farm, where they care for a lively mix of animals. Life is often busy and a little chaotic—but it’s full, meaningful, and exactly where she feels called to be.

Bio:

Chuck Comeau is a restaurateur and managing partner of Breaks Food Concepts Hays LLC, operating Breaks Eatery and Bar in Hays, Kansas. With over 25 years of service on the Board of Directors for Rooks County Health Center—currently as Chairman—Chuck brings extensive leadership experience in rural healthcare governance. He also serves on the Rooks County Health Care Foundation Board and the RedBud Board, representing the RCH Board of Directors. Additionally, he contributes to local economic development as a member of the Plainville Community Foundation Board. A graduate of Fort Hays State University (B.S. Earth Sciences, Summa Cum Laude) and Plainville High School, Chuck is a committed advocate for rural healthcare and economic growth in Northwest Kansas.

Q&A:

What special skills, talents or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?

I have been a member of the board for twenty five plus years. So I have a clear understanding of the issues facing the board and the hospital as a whole.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?
Because I feel that rural healthcare is critical for the survival of our area and that I can help shepherd this cause.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support that would be required to meet the needs of the hospital?
Yes

Can you be supportive of and champion decisions of the board even if you may have cast a dissenting vote?
Yes.

What do you see as RCHC’s greatest challenges?
Physician recruitment, technology, changing regulatory environment, finances, and strategic planning.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?
Creating a very thoughtful strategic plan involving staff, admin, and board and outside professionals.

Bio:

I’m Matt Benoit, and I was lucky enough to grow up in Damar, where community really means something. Both of my parents were first responders and active in just about everything around town, so I learned early on the value of giving back.

After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Milling Science and Management, I met my wife Becky, and together we spent several years working with ConAgra Mills (now Ardent Mills), living in different cities and states across the country. It was a great experience, but when it came time to start a family, we knew we wanted to come back to Kansas.

I took a job as a regional manager for Midland Marketing in LaCrosse, but not long after, the opportunity came up to return to Damar and farm full time with my family — and we jumped at the chance. Since moving back, I’ve stayed involved in the community, serving on the city council, volunteering with the fire department, and currently serving as a commissioner on the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.

Becky works from home as a sales rep for Ardent Mills, and we’re raising our three kids here, all of whom attend school in USD 269. We’re proud to call this place home and to be a part of such a strong and supportive community.

Q&A:

What special skills, talents or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?

I bring a strong background in numbers and financial management, with extensive experience in budget analysis and creation. I’m highly proficient in deciphering complex financial data and using it to make informed, strategic decisions. My approach to decision-making is grounded in facts and logic—I don’t let politics or emotions influence my judgment, which allows me to stay focused on what’s best for the hospital and its long-term success. Professionally, I’ve had the opportunity to live in five different states while working for a Fortune 500 company, where I was responsible for the day-to-day operations of multiple facilities. That experience has given me a broad perspective, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of organizational efficiency—all of which I believe can bring value to the board and support the mission of the hospital.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?
I want to serve on the hospital board because I care deeply about the future of our hospital and the well-being of our community. As someone who is raising a family in this area, I have a strong personal investment in ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible close to home. I want to be part of the decision-making process to help effect meaningful change, promote transparency,and contribute to keeping the hospital open and thriving for years to come.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support that would be required to meet the needs of the hospital?
Yes, absolutely. My current job provides me with the flexibility to attend meetings, events, and any other obligations that may arise. I understand the importance of being present, engaged, and responsive as a board member, and I’m fully committed to dedicating the time and support necessary to help the hospital succeed and serve our community effectively.

Can you be supportive of and champion decisions of the board even if you may have cast a dissenting vote?
Yes. I believe strongly in the democratic process. While I may at times cast a dissenting vote based on my perspective and judgment, I fully respect the will of the majority. Once a decision is made, I will support it publicly and work to help implement it effectively. A unified front is essential to maintaining trust, stability, and progress within the organization and the community we serve.

What do you see as RCHC’s greatest challenges?
One of RCH’s greatest challenges is allowing politics to influence operations and decision-making rather than focusing solely on what is best for the hospital, its staff, and the community it serves. When external or internal political agendas take precedence over patient care and organizational integrity, it can create confusion, low morale among staff, and a disconnect from the hospital’s mission.

Another critical challenge is the lack of transparency. When decisions are made behind closed doors and the community or staff are informed only after the fact, it erodes trust. Transparency is vital—not just for accountability, but also for building a strong partnership with the community and ensuring that everyone, from employees to patients, feels valued and informed.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?
To overcome the challenges effectively, the hospital should focus on cultural transformation that realigns all staff and employees with the core mission of the hospital.

Bio:

Anna Muir has served K-State Research and Extension for over 25 years as a Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Agent. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to community well-being throughout her career by implementing innovative educational programs. Anna is passionate about helping youth and adults reach their full potential.  Anna brings creativity, dedication, and a deep understanding of community needs to her work.

Q&A:

What special skills, talents or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?
I bring a unique blend of experience, leadership, training, and on-going professional
development that will be an asset to the hospital and board. I have worked closely with a board for 25+ years, giving me an understanding of governance, collaboration, and decision-making. Additionally, I have completed training through the Kansas Leadership Center, have been trained in facilitation, and recently participated in crucial conversations, which have sharpened my skills navigating issues, fostering collaboration, and leading with integrity. I am committed to continual learning by regularly attending workshops and national meetings to stay informed on current trends and bring back relevant programming for my communities. I believe these skills, combined with my passion for service will contribute meaningfully to the hospital and board mission.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?
I want to serve on the hospital board because I care about rural health and the community’s well-being. I feel the hospital serves as a lifeline to the residents of Rooks County and surrounding communities. I want to ensure that our hospital delivers excellent care and remains accessible, innovative, and responsive to the people it serves.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support that would be required to meet the needs of the hospital?
I am prepared to dedicate the time and support necessary to meet the expectations and needs of the board. I understand the importance of being dependable and responsive, and I am committed to contributing meaningfully to the success of the team and goals.

Can you be supportive of and champion decisions of the board even if you may have cast a dissenting vote?
Yes, once the board makes a decision as a collective, it is my job to uphold the final decision, even if I personally disagree during the discussion or vote. It does not mean I hide my vote or opinions, it means that I publicly support the board’s authority and avoid undermining the decision. Unity is key for credibility and effectiveness.

What do you see as RCHC’s greatest challenges?
One of the greatest challenges we face is ensuring that the community fully understands the wide range of services Rooks County Health Center provides. With a smaller staff, many team members wear multiple hats, which makes consistent outreach difficult and increases the risk of burnout.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?
Even as our rural communities become smaller, it’s more important than ever to keep this vital lifeline strong. By raising awareness and improving communication, we can help reduce staff burnout and protect both the well-being of our healthcare workers and the quality of care available to the community. When we support each other, we create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Bio:

Jay Casey has been a lifelong resident of Rooks County, being proud of the fact that his
Great Grandparents were Irish immigrants to Rooks County homesteading in 1878. The Casey’s have continued to Farm and Ranch in the Corning Township area for now 5 generations. Along with the farming operation, Jay also owns a Real Estate and Auction firm and does independent appraisal work.

Mr. Casey has been very active in the community serving on a number of Boards and
Committees, and as a High School sports official for 18 years.

Q&A:

What special skills, talents or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?
I have always enjoyed working with people and value the friendships that I have made through the years. As a Farmer/Rancher, owning a Real Estate/Auction Firm, a Sports Official for 18 years and a Board of Education member for 16 years, I have had the opportunity to meet so many good people throughout Northwest Kansas. I feel with the relationships that I have made with people, the knowledge of running a business, and the experience I have gained from serving the community as a Board of
Education President would help me be an effective Hospital Board member.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?
I have always been impressed with the spirit and pride of the health care community in Rooks County. Coming together to provide attractive facilities in Plainville and Stockton has been impressive and I would like to be involved in the continuation of that spirit and to help with an environment that attracts patients and staff to our community.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support that would be required to meet the needs of the hospital?
I have no problem with making that commitment.

Can you be supportive of and champion decisions of the board even if you may have cast a dissenting vote?
I have served on a number of boards and committees in the past and have found that the most effective and successful groups are made up of members with different views and ideas and are willing to come together to meet a goal. A governing body that is unable to hold hands and work together will not be efficient or successful.

What do you see as RCHC’s greatest challenges?
I feel a declining population is one of the greatest challenges our area is faced with. Communities in Western Kansas can let themselves dry up if they want to. We have to keep ourselves progressive and provide health care and emergency care for not only our aged population, but be able to provide the needs of growing families, to keep our communities attractive.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?

Rooks County Health Center has to continue to provide the environment that not only is attractive to patients, but for the retention of its quality staff. That atmosphere is what will attract new prospects to be a part of our Rooks County Health Care team. With the elderly and aging community, having quality access to healthcare makes it much more convenient to have close to home than needing to travel.

Critical access hospitals have to look for unique ways to stand out and offer services that will attract new patients and better serve old patients.

Bio:

I have been a lifelong resident of Rooks County, graduating from Plainville High School in 1971 and from Fort Hays State University in 1975 with a degree in Business
Administration and minors in Accounting and Agriculture. After farming for about 10
years, I joke about having to go get a real job, in which I worked at the Pioneer Credit
Union in Stockton for four years and then as a Business Finance Officer at the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission in Hill City. In 1994, I was
promoted to Executive Director. During the 37 years at the NWKP & DC, I have assisted with the financing of nearly $300 million in business loans and millions of dollars in grants for various infrastructure projects. In 1998, I formed the non-profit Northwest Kansas Housing, Inc. and since that time have built 140 single family homes or duplex units throughout Northwest Kansas. The NWKHI is one of the leading “affordable” housing developers in the entire northwest corner of Kansas. The NWKHI also administers two Rental Assistance Programs that provide $600,000 annually in rental assistance to Northwest Kansas low income residents. In 2023, I was given the National Rural Housing Service Award in Washington, DC from the National Housing Assistance Council.

Over the past 50 years I have served on numerous boards, such as, the Sacred Heart
School Board, the Sacred Heart Church Board, the Rooks County Farm Bureau Board,
the Rooks County Fair Board, the Rooks County ASCS Committee, the United Methodist Health Ministries Grant Committee and the Northwest Kansas Technical
College Construction Curriculum Review Committee. I was one of the original
organizers of the western Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance (wKREDA), I
served 10 years as President of the Kansas Association of Certified Development
Companies and President of the Kansas Regional Planning Commissions. For the past
14 years, I have also served on the National Association of Development Organization’s Board of Directors.

Randall and his wife, Diane, have 5 grown children and 10 grand children.

Q&A:

What special skills, talents or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?

I have been in the economic development  “world” for the past 37 years.  Over that time period, I have assisted in the  financing of nearly $300 million in business loans and assisted with millions of dollars in community development grants for a variety of infrastructure projects.  Twenty-five years ago, I actually started the Northwest Kansas Housing, Inc., a nonprofit certified housing development organization,
which have built 140 single family homes or duplex units throughout Northwest Kansas for low and moderate-income families.  I have been the Executive Director, for the past 31 years, at the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, managing eight employees, completing annual budgets, preparing for and facilitating monthly board meetings, filing numerous government reports, etc. 

I previously served on the United Methodist Healthcare Ministries grant fund committee for several years. The function of that committee was to help the rural communities of western Kansas provide better healthcare options through grant funding from the organization.  (I was appointed to that position by the former Sen. Sheila Frahm).  While on that committee, I invited Frank Rajewski (who was the chief financial officer at the Rooks County Health Center) to go with a group of other healthcare professionals to see some of the telemedicine used in Sioux Falls, SD. The reason for that trip was to look at what the future may hold as far as telehealth was concerned.

I have served on numerous boards over my lifetime. Some of those being: the National Association of Development Organizations board of directors for the past 14 years; the Sacred Heart School Board for 5 years; the Sacred Heart Church Board for 6 years; the Rooks County Fair Board for 15 years; the Rooks County ASCS Committee; Rooks County Farm Bureau President, Northwest Kansas Technical College Construction Curriculum Review Committee; President of the Kansas Association of Certified Development Companies; President of the Kansas Regional Development Organizations and have testified before Kansas Congressional Committees on relevant legislation.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?
I would like to be a member of the hospital board to be a part of the future total healthcare of the community. All rural community hospitals seem to struggle financially with providing comprehensive healthcare, but I personally feel a healthcare facility, such as ours, is extremely vital to the future of the community. I feel a holistic approach is needed in services provided, not only for medical care, but
chiropractic care, mental healthcare, drug and alcohol abuse, and physical therapy.  A part of that “holistic” healthcare for the community is also being supportive of the senior nursing home and their proposed changes. I am not running for this board position strictly because I have a “beef” with anything that has previously happened or is currently happening.  All I want is for Rooks County to continue to have one of the “premier” rural healthcare facilities in the region.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support that would be required to meet the needs of the hospital?
As you can see I have been on numerous boards in the past and I am willing to spend the time needed as a hospital board member. It has always been my belief that as a board member you should attend as many meetings as physically possible and be active in decision-making. I have never been one to set on any board strictly to have the title behind my name.  You need to be an active board member or get off of the board!

Can you be supportive of and champion decisions of the board even if you may have cast a dissenting vote?
Yes!

What do you see as RCHC’s greatest challenges?
There are two items I see as the greatest challenges for the Rooks County Health Center. Those being, the financial stability of the facility and recruitment and/or retaining healthcare providers. That includes everything from the maintenance staff, to the doctors, to the supporting office staff.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?
There are a number of things that come into play with the financial stability of the healthcare center. Budgets should be reviewed on a continuing basis to make sure the actual income and expenses are matching up with what was budgeted. The board should take an active role and pay attention to details on the income and expense reports.  If budgets and monthly financials do not “line up,” find out why and what adjustments can be made. As far as stability of the staff, obviously having a salary schedule that is consistent with what is being paid in the entire region. I have never bought into the theory that because you live in a rural area and cost of living is cheaper, that you should be paid something less than those in a larger city. Of course, doctor recruitment will be an issue forever!  Programs, such as paying for tuition in return for a graduating doctor coming to the area may be something to strongly consider.  And finally, a good working environment is critical to job satisfaction.

Bio:

Dr. Matthew Comeau is an internal medicine physician with a background in osteopathic medicine. He completed his residency at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, OH, and has since gained extensive experience in both outpatient medicine and hospitalist care.

He is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, ensuring that each individual receives the same level of attention and expertise that he would expect for himself. His clinical interests include adult and geriatric medicine, preventive care, and chronic disease management.

Dr. Comeau is originally from Plainville, where he attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Plainville High School before earning his Ph.D. and later pursuing a career in medicine.

In his free time, he enjoys staying connected with his community and values the relationships he builds with his patients. He also enjoys woodworking and tactical training.

Bio:

Glenda Wheeler, APRN, FNP-C, ENP-C, earned her master’s in nursing and Nurse Practitioner degree at Fort Hays State University. She is certified in Family Practice and Emergency Care by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Her nursing career began at Hays Medical Center on the surgical floor, followed by roles at Trego County as an RN and Ness County Hospital and Bluestem Medical in Quinter as a Nurse Practitioner. Now, Glenda is excited to start her new adventure at Rooks County Health Center.

Glenda grew up in Wichita, Kansas, with her five siblings and moved to Hays in 1994, where she now lives with her husband, Matt. They share a passion for travel, with Glenda having explored five continents and aiming for two more. The Wheelers also restore antique vehicles, and in her spare time, Glenda enjoys golfing, reading, and outdoor activities. She has two adult sons, one in Wichita and one in Hays, while Matt has two adult daughters in Minnesota and California.

Bio:

Cheyenne Armbruster-Wahrman grew up in Plainville and graduated from Plainville High School in 2013. She chose primary care because she enjoys seeing a wide variety of health conditions and age ranges. Armbuster-Wahrman’s philosophy is to always make her patients feel comfortable talking to her and to ensure they know she is there to listen to their health concerns.

She loves the close relationships that small-town living fosters, and Plainville’s close-knit community spirit is evident in the way everyone rallies together to help those in need.

In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her family and friends. She recommends RCH as a workplace to fellow Primary Care Providers because of the opportunity to get to know patients inside and outside the clinic, as well as the supportive environment among providers, especially for those new to the profession.

Bio:

Mary C. Takaishi, PA-C, chose to pursue primary care after her family experienced her sister’s premature birth, which involved numerous hospital and doctor visits. Despite initially aspiring to be an astronaut, her dream shifted after a touching encounter with an elderly man with Parkinson’s Disease during a college Christmas caroling event. This encounter ignited her desire to pursue a medical career, leading her to attend PA school to provide care and support to those in need.

Takaishi’s approach to patient care is characterized by compassion and empathy. She strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel at ease discussing their health concerns. Beyond the clinic, she actively engages in community services, volunteer work, and public health initiatives.

Originally from Olathe, KS, Takaishi practiced medicine in South Central Kansas before settling in Rooks County with her wife. She prefers the rural setting for raising her daughter over a metropolitan area. On weekends, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and tending to her own self-proclaimed “funny farm”.

Bio:

Dr. Daniel Sanchez is a family medicine physician. He joined the staff at Rooks County Health Center in 1993. He enjoys preventive medicine — fixing risk factors before they cause problems.

He lives in Plainville with his wife, Karen, and their two children.