Amberwell Atchison

Amberwell is happy to welcome Lisa Whitfield, FNP-C, to the Emergency Care team at Amberwell Atchison. With a rich background in rural healthcare and a passion for helping others, Lisa brings genuine compassion to her role. She understands her patients’ feelings and concerns and is always motivated to help them in their time of need. She’s committed to providing high-quality care and deeply invested in the wellbeing of the community.   Lisa chose Amberwell because she loves the close-knit community of rural healthcare. "Amberwell offers a unique sense of community and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives," she said. Before joining Amberwell, she worked at other rural locations in northeast Kansas, where she appreciated the unique challenges and rewards of rural emergency care.   Lisa's journey to becoming a nurse practitioner started with her love for science and a desire to help people. "I'm kind of nerdy,” she admitted, “and I’ve always liked science." Her interest in healthcare was sparked at a young age, influenced by her great aunt, who was a pioneering nurse. "I remember looking at my great aunt’s old textbooks and thinking ‘this is so cool,’" she recalls. Her path included working as an ER tech and a registered nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner. She enjoys the variety of cases and problem-solving aspects of the ER, likening it to being a "medical detective."  Lisa is a proud mother of three children, two sons and a daughter. They have two cats. Outside the ER, she enjoys traveling with her family, especially to their favorite spot, Saint Croix. She's a big music fan and loves attending concerts. A devoted Kansas City Chiefs fan, Lisa has even been interviewed on TV at a Chiefs’ parade. "They recorded me wearing head-to-toe Chiefs gear declaring, ‘We live for the Chiefs!’" she shared with a laugh. Lisa is active in her community, participating in fundraisers and adopting families in need during the holidays.  

Thank you to our local Atchison Bomgaars for the donation of $315.29 to help raise awareness of women's health issues and cancer diseases. Bomgaars asked to sponsor Amberwell for their Ladies' Night in November and donated a portion of their sales from those in attendance. The funds will be used to help spread awareness for women's health services that Amberwell provides, including well-women exams, mammograms, and gynecological surgeries.

We are delighted to welcome Michaela Rziha, PA-C, to the orthopedic care team at Amberwell Atchison and Amberwell Lansing Clinic. Michaela brings with her an impressive record of academic achievements. Her journey includes being honored as the Biology Student of the Year in her senior year at Benedictine College, a testament to her dedication and skill. During her time at Des Moines University's PA school, she received the Iowa Physician Assistant Society Scholarship, held the role of class president, and was awarded the Clinical Excellence Award. Michaela fondly recalls her time at Benedictine College, a special place where she met her husband, an Atchison native. “As a college student and during our visits back to my husband’s family after moving to Iowa, I developed a love for the Atchison community,” she shared. The couple wanted to come back to the area, be a part of the community, and make a difference. From an early age, Michaela's fascination with science influenced her life and career choices. Her passion for science was nurtured by her family background. “My father, a veterinarian, exposed me to the wonders of animal life, and my mother wisely advised me to combine my love for science with working with people, which led me to pursue healthcare,” she said. Michaela’s journey to becoming a PA began early, as she got her CNA license right after high school and worked in a nursing home. “What I enjoy most about being a PA at Amberwell is the personal connections I have with patients and the collaboration I have with fellow providers.” Michaela looks forward to a long and satisfying career with Amberwell.  “One of the key aspects of the experience I provide to my patients is attentive listening,” said Michaela. “Having worked in urgent care, I understand that healthcare settings can often have time constraints. Despite this, I've always prioritized taking the time necessary with each patient, asking detailed questions, and genuinely listening to their responses. This approach allows me to thoroughly understand not just the immediate health concerns, but also the underlying needs and desires of my patients. It's important to me that my patients feel heard and understood, as it helps in accurately addressing their health issues and providing a more personalized and effective care experience."  Michaela lives in Atchison with her husband Michael. When she’s not caring for patients, Michaela is an avid reader and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. “I'm not a master chef, but I do cook a lot,” she admits with a smile. “I love fermenting my own kombucha and making homemade sauerkraut.” Having bought one of the older, historic homes that Atchison is known for, she can often be found working on various DIY renovation projects around her house. She has a passion for community service and is an active member of her church, leading a midweek fellowship for teenage girls.   

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Joshua Nelson, MD, an accomplished orthopedic surgeon, has joined the Orthopedic Care team of Amberwell Health. Dr. Nelson will be offering expert orthopedic clinic and surgical services at Amberwell Atchison, as well as orthopedic clinic services at Amberwell Lansing Clinic.  Dr. Nelson specializes in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, with particular expertise in conditions of the knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle. He is a well-known expert in sports medicine, having helped start several sports medicine programs throughout Kansas as well as served as medical staff for many Kansas City professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams. He has an extensive background in academic medicine and has trained numerous residents and medical students throughout his career. Many of those physicians are now practicing orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He is a published author in multiple peer-reviewed journals.   On choosing Amberwell...  “I chose Amberwell because I recognize the need and growth potential of the Orthopedic Care department and the growing need within the community,” said Dr. Nelson. “Having known Dr. Duncan throughout our careers, I was thankful to be working with him again in serving the Amberwell community. There's a unique character of hard-working individuals in the community Amberwell serves that I relate to and appreciate.”  On his patients’ experience...  “People choose their surgeon for various reasons,” reflects Dr. Nelson. "It's not just about the operation itself but the entire experience from start to finish. From the moment a patient checks in, to every interaction they have with me or my team, it all contributes to their decision. They either hear about us, or read about the hospital, the clinic, the OR experience. It all matters. I place a high value on outcomes and strive for excellence at every stage. Keeping up to date with the latest surgical techniques and ensuring my staff are thorough with all the details, including pre-operative planning, procedural protocols, and patient communication are all part of our commitment to care. Patients recognize this commitment. They feel it when you genuinely care about them, not just as patients, but as individuals. We all need certain individuals who are willing to stay up at night and work hard on solutions for our problems if required."  About Dr. Nelson  Dr. Nelson is a native of Nebraska and has lived in Kansas since his residency began at KUMC in 2004. He and his wife of 25 years have three children. His favorite hobbies include spending time outdoors—backpacking, hunting, and fishing. 

Amberwell would like to share our deep appreciation for the excellent services provided by our Health Information Management team, which recently garnered an honorable mention for the 2023 AHIMA Grace award. AHIMA recognized Amberwell Atchison for providing innovative focus on educating patients about the patient portal and for high-quality, effective, and cost-efficient maternity care. Led by Kelli McCarty, Diana Gaddis, and Kaylee Dobbins, the Amberwell HIM team is responsible for the collection, protection, and analysis of health information that allows Amberwell providers to provide effective care for our communities. Amberwell is grateful for the commitment of this hardworking team who helps us continue our mission of providing access to excellent healthcare for our Amberwell communities.

Amberwell is happy to introduce Gabriel Stewart, MD, as the newest member of the primary care team at Amberwell Lansing Clinic. Dr. Stewart strives to develop relationships with his patients and prioritizes regular wellness visits to ensure patients are staying healthy. Additionally, he enjoys helping patients manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and hypertension.    Dr. Stewart was first drawn to Amberwell because of its location. “My wife grew up in nearby Easton, Kansas, and still has family here,” said Dr. Stewart. “During our education and training, we made frequent visits to the area and have always been drawn to the warmth of the community and the beauty of the region. Being close to family and reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances was a significant factor in our decision." Dr. Stewart's decision to become a primary care physician was a result of his experiences in the Scholars in Rural Health. “My participation in Scholars in Rural Health led me to shadow Dr. Larry Anderson,” said Dr. Stewart. “Watching and learning from Dr. Anderson, I discovered my passion for family medicine. Dr. Anderson mainly treated senior patients. Seeing how he connected with them, aging alongside them as he drew close to retirement, was very inspiring. I also enjoyed working with seniors. Their visits went beyond medical checkups; office visits were not only social outings for these patients, but they were often the highlight of their day. I saw how meaningful these visits were, especially for those who were widowed and alone. Providing care and connection was extremely important. Seeing Dr. Anderson's strong patient relationships affirmed my desire for a similar career path — one where I could create lasting impact by building meaningful connections with those I serve."  When patients come to Dr. Stewart, he wants their time to be well spent. “I do my best to prepare for each visit,” he said. “Before annual wellness visits, I review each patient's history to ensure they are current on age-appropriate screenings — whether it's cancer, depression, or anxiety assessments. I review their previous labs, immunization history, and any specific questions or concerns they had during their last visit. I take their health seriously." Beyond his caregiving role, Dr. Stewart cherishes family time with his wife, two young daughters, and their Yorkipoo, Diesel. Together, they enjoy outdoor adventures, especially family trips to Table Rock Lake. Dr. Stewart also has his pilot’s license and enjoys flying whenever he can. In his spare time, he likes to help out and work on vehicles on his father-in-law's farm, ride motorcycles, and do home improvement projects. Dr. Stewart prioritizes community service and supports the church and the community through his membership in the Knights of Columbus. Amberwell is thrilled to have Dr. Stewart join our team, and we look forward to the positive impact he'll make.  

We are excited to introduce Lindsay Williams, MD, as the newest member of the Emergency Care team at Amberwell Atchison. Dr. Williams is an experienced physician, having served in rural clinics, nursing homes, and as an emergency department medical director and stroke team physician. She has a commitment to patient-centered care, a passion for building relationships, and a dedication to personal growth and community well-being.    Reflecting on her experience choosing Amberwell, Dr. Williams shared, "When I interviewed at Amberwell, everyone was so welcoming, generous, and kind. Joining an excellent team was my goal, and Amberwell felt like the perfect fit."  Dr. Williams wanted to be a physician from a very young age. “I was one of those kids who would always say, ‘I want to be a doctor when I grow up,’” she recalled. “You know how kids choose professions they see highlighted in the community — doctor, nurse, teacher, or firefighter. As I progressed along this path, I found that I had a lot of the skill sets that would make me a good doctor—I really enjoy people and building relationships; I understood the science; I could do the math. Doors and opportunities began opening to me, and that got me to where I am today. Yet my motivation has always been my genuine passion for people and making meaningful connections.” Dr. Williams’s approach with her patients revolves around kindness and compassion. “While my medical expertise brings patients in to see me, people in need seek more than just medical knowledge,” Dr. Williams explained. “If providers offer medical advice, but they lack empathy, sensitivity, or a genuine sense of care, their advice is often disregarded and unhelpful. Showing kindness and compassion is a part of the healing process. Our existence isn’t solely physical. We encompass emotions, feelings, mindsets, and mental states. As providers, we must extend our care to these aspects as well.” When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Williams treasures quality time with her husband and their young daughter. She prioritizes living an active and healthy lifestyle. She’s passionate about the practice of yoga and is a certified yoga instructor, embracing both the challenges and the personal growth yoga fosters. Her love of travel has led her to various destinations, including South Africa, India, Morocco, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. To relax and unwind, she enjoys reading. We couldn't be happier to have her on board, enhancing our commitment to exceptional care and teamwork!