Dr. Jean Pringle
In January 2015, Dr. Jean Pringle was welcomed to Heart of Kansas as the clinic’s Medical Director providing internal medicine for the adult population with a focus on individuals 65 and older. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, and obtained her medical degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Pringle then completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Prior to joining Heart of Kansas, Dr. Pringle has provided services at various locations in Great Bend since 1995. She has previous experience providing care for patients at multiple Federally Qualified Health Centers across the country.
Charise Oelger
Charise Oelger earned her physician assistant degree at Wichita State University and a bachelor’s degree in Biology at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She is certified by the National Commission on Certificate of Physician Assistants and a DOT Certified Medical Examiner. Charise’s experience includes more than a decade of specializing in the areas of Family Medicine, Urgent Care and Gastroenterology. She is actively involed in the community and her children’s activities and also owns the Jazzercise Great Bend Fitness Center.
Jeanne Habash
Jeanne Habash, physician assistant, came to the Heart of Kansas Great Bend clinic in February 2020, bringing 21 years of experience in family medicine and general internal medicine. Patients of all ages rely on Jeanne for care and treatment of immediate problems, as well as management of chronic medical issues.
Jeanne earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry in 1992 at Chadron State College, Chadron, Neb. This was followed by a master’s degree in physician assistant studies in 1997 at Wichita State University. She has cared for
patients in Great Bend and La Crosse during her career.
Melanie Emily
When Melanie Emily arrived at Heart of Kansas in January 2020, she came with 13 years of experience. As a family nurse practitioner at the Great Bend clinic, Melanie sees patients of all ages and treats acute and chronic illnesses. She also emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention.
Melanie’s nursing education began with an associate’s degree in nursing at Barton Community College in 2007. She then earned her bachelor’s in nursing in 2011 and her master of professional studies – public health administration – in 2014, both at Fort Hays State University. In addition, Melanie earned her master’s degree in nursing in 2018 and her doctorate in nursing in 2019, both from Frontier Nursing University at Hyden, Ky.
Kara Keenan
Kara Keenan, advanced practice registered nurse, arrived at Heart of Kansas in January 2020 with 17 years of experience. She cares for patients of all ages at our Larned clinic, treating acute and chronic concerns. Kara also offers women’s health
services and is certified to administer Kansas Department of Transportation physicals.
Kara earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1995; a master’s in nursing in 2002; and a doctor of nurse practitioner in 2018. Each degree is from Fort Hays State University. Throughout her career, she has cared for patients in Larned and the surrounding area. Kara is a part-time nursing instructor at FHSU.
Jenny Manry
Jenny Manry grew up in Larned and is now caring for patients of all ages at our Larned clinic. As an advanced practice registered nurse, Jenny treats acute and chronic health issues, and is available for wellness exams. She arrived here in January 2020.
Jenny earned her bachelor’s in nursing in 1999 and a master of nursing in 2002, both at Fort Hays State University. She then earned a doctorate of nursing practice in 2011 at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Jenny has cared for patients in central Kansas over the years.
Maria Villanueva
Maria grew up in Great Bend, KS attended Barton County Community College and received her Associates and RN from Barton. She obtained her BSN in Nursing and master’s in leadership from Grand Canyon University and went on to obtain her post-masters at Chamberlain in Illinois as a Nurse Practitioner. During the time Maria was in school she worked at the UKHS-GB campus on the med-surg floor and then in the emergency room.
Nora "Kathy" Nokes
Nokes earned an Associate’s degree in nursing from Barton Community College in 2017 and a bachelor’s in nursing from Fort Hays State University the following year. She earned her master’s in nursing, with a family nurse practitioner specialty, at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Her clinicals were in pediatrics, family medicine, adult gerontology, and psychiatric care. Previous employers include Hays Medical Center, Allstaff Chartered and Great Bend Regional Hospital, where she worked in medical-surgical, obstetrics/gynecology and urgent care. Nokes was born and raised in Southern California; she came here in 2003 for a visit and never left. She lives in rural Barton County on a farm with her husband and three children. Nokes stays busy with her children’s sports schedules and is active in her church.
Michelle Van Der Wege
Michelle Van Der Wege grew up in Russell where she started her healthcare career as an EMT. She then worked in a Denver emergency room, on a hospital medical floor, and as a school nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner. She is an Associate Professor at FHSU where she serves as the DNP Program Coordinator. Michelle works at the Larned clinic seeing patients of all ages for wellness visits and treatment of both acute and chronic conditions.
Michelle’s nursing education began with an Associate in Applied Science Degree/RN at Barton County Community College in 2003. She then earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007, a Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner in 2016, and finally a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020–all at Fort Hays State University.
Shelly Pavlu
Shelly grew up in rural areas of Kansas and obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1999 from Fort Hays State University. Shelly worked as a Registered Nurse in rural Kansas for several years before returning to Fort Hays State University to obtain her Doctorate of Nursing through the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Shelly joined Heart of Kansas as an APRN in September 2023.