At Rooks County Health Center, one of our newest physicians is Kendell Varner, PA-C. He is the kind of provider who puts his heart into everything he does. He’s passionate about rural healthcare and loves making real connections with the patients he serves.
For Varner, the best part of his job is getting to provide excellent care to people he can relate to. Being in a close-knit rural community means he gets to know his patients on a deeper level—not just their medical history but their lives outside the clinic too. That connection creates trust and accountability, making healthcare here extra personal. “I love the opportunity to serve the rural population,” he shares. “Getting to provide excellent healthcare and speak to patients I can relate to is incredibly rewarding.”
Working in rural healthcare comes with its challenges, like not always having colleagues nearby to collaborate with. Varner tackled this by joining the Kansas Academy of Physician Associates (KAPA), where he found a supportive network of peers. He’s now the Vice President of KAPA and uses that role to advocate for rural medicine and connect with other providers facing the same challenges.
One of his favorite memories at RCH is from a time in the ER when he performed a rare procedure to help stabilize a patient. While doing it, he took the chance to teach others on the medical team. Not only did the procedure go well, but it also became a learning moment for everyone involved—a true win-win. “It was a great experience—success for the patient and a chance for everyone to learn.”
Outside of work, Varner and his wife have taken up regenerative farming. They’ve started raising pasture-raised chickens and laying hens and are gearing up to add steers and pigs to the mix. Varner says if he wasn’t a healthcare provider, he’d probably be a farmer or an electrician—he’s all about hands-on work and staying busy.
When asked why he chose to work at RCH, Varner says it’s because they focus on teamwork and always put the patient first. He’s proud of the top-notch services and equipment at RCH, like the radiology department with impressively short wait times and the physical therapy program that’s as good as what you’d find at a university.
One piece of advice from his dad has always stuck with him: “Be so good that others will advocate for you.” That wisdom drives Varner to let his actions speak louder than words, whether he’s at work, on the farm, or spending time with his family.
Kendell Varner brings a lot to RCH—not just his skills and experience but also his passion for helping people and his love for the rural community. He’s a great example of what makes RCH such a special place for healthcare.
