Our primary care team is your trusted partner in everyday health and long-term wellness. From preventive screenings and routine checkups to managing chronic conditions and collaborative care for mental health concerns, our providers deliver personalized care tailored to your needs. With a focus on building lasting relationships and coordinating across specialties, we’re here to support your health at every stage.
Procedures & Treatments
Care Coordination
RN and social work support for care planning and hospital transitions
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit for health review and preventive care
Your Family’s First Step
Build a lasting relationship with a primary care provider who knows you and your family’s health history.
Accepting new patients
Same-day sick visits available
Family medicine and internal medicine
Our Primary Care Team
Walter P. Farrell, MD
Internal Medicine
Dr. Farrell earned his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed his internal medicine residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and served as medical officer at Fort Riley, Kansas, which was his introduction to our fine state. After fulfilling his active-duty obligation he practiced in Topeka, and then practiced for eight years in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He joined the Reed practice in 2007.
Alex Winkler, MD
Family Medicine
Alex Winkler, MD, earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Kansas and his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association.
“I have always wanted to be in a position where I could help people meet their healthcare goals. I chose family medicine because of the long-term relationships you make with your patients and the variety of care I can provide.”
Winkler began his medical career in 2015 as a medical assistant and record clerk at LMH Primary Care – 6th and Maine, formerly known as Reed Medical Group, while pursuing his undergraduate degree.
During his training in Marysville, Kansas, Winkler strengthened his interested in providing care in a rural setting. He has received additional training for Mental Health and Addiction medicine. His primary focus is on providing his patients with collaborative care and support.
“The thing I love most about being a physician is watching my patients grow and change. It’s rewarding to be able to support them as they set goals and reach them. I am excited to be back in Kansas and in a community such as Tonganoxie, similar to the small town I grew up in.”
William Weatherford, MD
Family Medicine
Amy Baker, APRN-C
Family Medicine
Amy Baker, APRN, received her undergraduate degree and master's in nursing degree from Washburn University. Baker served as a nurse in the LMH Health emergency department from 2007-2016 and now works with LMH Health Primary Care - South Iowa Street.
Anne Valburg, MD
Family Medicine
Anne Valburg, MD, earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kansas. She completed a family medicine residency through the Goppert-Trinity Family Care residency program in Kansas City.
Anne Valburg didn’t go to college knowing she wanted to practice medicine. It took her a bit to find that path. She earned an undergraduate degree in English and traveled to South Korea to teach the language.
“I decided that before I’d come back to the States, I'd know what career path I wanted to follow. All the books I was reading for fun were medical-related, so that helped me decide that maybe I should come back and get my medical degree.”
After graduation, Dr. Valburg turned toward primary care. She knows the relationship that develops with a physician can be foundational for a patient’s health, and she wants to help her patients get the care they need.
“It’s really important for people to understand what’s going on with their health, so they can make changes if they want to. It doesn’t matter if you have a great plan for someone, if they don’t understand the why, they’re not invested. I want to be part of that education process to help my patients better understand their health.”
What advice would Dr. Valburg give her patients? She says that it really comes down to the basics.
“Trying to get enough sleep, move your body, eat vegetables and protein are all really important. You have to get invested in your own health and understand that you may not be able to do something perfectly, but that doesn’t mean that things can’t get a little bit better.”
Ashley Bloom, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Bloom is board certified in family medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed a residency in Family Medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
International Experience:
Pediatric Clinical Elective
Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Feb 2013
Child Family Health International
Comparative Urban and Rural Health, Quito, Ecuador
July 2009
Universidad de las Americas
Spanish Language & Literature, Puebla, Mexico
June 2006
Kyle K. Wells, MD
Dr. Kyle Wells enjoys caring for patients of all ages. One of his strengths is being able to meet the patient where they’re at and identify barriers that might be in the way of optimizing their health.
“I strive to meet patients wherever they are in their health journey, because not everybody is at the same place at the same time,” he said. “I take pride in identifying barriers and, together with the patient, formulating an individualized plan to improve their health.”
Dr. Wells earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in biology from Emporia State University and his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. After graduation, he completed residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine (Wichita) Via Christi Family Medicine.
Why choose LMH Health?
“I know this is a place where people can get comprehensive healthcare with a great group of providers and staff members. Patients feel like they’re welcome every day.”
Becki Steffey, APRN
When you step into LMH Health Primary Care – Tonganoxie and meet Becki Steffey, you’ll feel right at home.
“I want to get to know you as a unique person, not just your medical background. Our team is a tight knit group that feels like a family,” she said. We strive to treat every patient like they’re our own family member.”
Becki Steffey, APRN, earned her bachelors degree in nursing from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree in nursing from Rockhurst University. She is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a family nurse practitioner.
“I love taking care of women’s health. And I love kiddos, but I really love those sick or acute visits. It’s like putting a puzzle together, gathering all the pieces and putting together a plan to get you back to feeling your best,” she said.
Becki has worked at LMH Health since 2009, beginning as a CNA and continuing her career as an LPN, RN, and a nurse practitioner. She loves the collaboration she experiences with colleagues in primary care and throughout the health system.
“LMH Health is unique because it’s a small community hospital with a lot of the resources and specialties that the bigger health systems have. It still feels like small town care, but with all the benefits of a big system.”
Shirene Philipose, MD
Internal Medicine
Shirene Philipose comes from a family tied to medicine, and it’s always interested her. It took on even more meaning after she became a patient herself.
“Being a physician is so meaningful,” she said. “As a patient with a chronic illness, seeing the physicians show up for me every day while I was in the hospital or when I came to clinic and seeing me through lots of my challenges has really reinforced that I want to do the same and be there for my patients.”
Dr. Philipose earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She chose to pursue an internal medicine residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center and to practice internal medicine because it allows her to know a bit about everything and apply that to her patients’ health. She knows what it’s like to be a patient, so she can relate to her patients and help provide encouragement.
“I knew internal medicine was a place I needed to be after I received my lung transplant. I sat down with a patient in a primary care clinic and talked about what that pre-transplant phase looked like,” she explained. “Being able to encourage this patient and show her what life post-transplant could look like, I knew primary care itself was my calling. Spending those moments and sharing that time with patients is really special.”
Bonnie J Cramer, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Cramer, was born and raised in northeast Kansas. She earned her medical degree in 2006 from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where she won numerous awards for excellence and graduated at the top of her class. In 2009 Dr. Cramer completed her residency at Salina's Smokey Hill Family Medicine Residency Program and earned her board certification in family medicine.
Veeral Bhoot, DO
Internal Medicine
Curtis J. Wolfe, MD
Family Medicine
Curtis Wolfe, MD, earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Kansas State University and his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas School of Medicine. He is a member of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the Honor Flight Medical Crew for Wamego High School.
“I chose to become a physician because I wanted to work with people to help make them the healthiest they can be. I enjoy helping people of all ages, from infant immunizations to helping individuals to stay at home as they age.”
Wolfe began his career working in primary care in a rural health clinic, allowing him to care for a wide range of ages and needs. He is comfortable having difficult conversations with his patients including topics like palliative and hospice care. He also has special interests in allergies, asthma and sports medicine. Dr. Wolfe previously served as the Medical Director of Sports Medicine for USD 320.
“I want my patients to know that I have been in family medicine for more than 20 years. I have the heart to help people be healthy and want to care for them in a compassionate way just like they were a family member.”
Jennifer Clair, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Clair is board certified in family medicine and obesity medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her family practice residency at Trinity Lutheran Hospital in Kansas City. For the past two decades, she has worked as a family medicine physician in the Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City areas.
Jennifer Strickland, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Family Medicine
Jennifer Strickland, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, joined the LMH Health team in 2021. She received her undergraduate degrees in Nursing and Spanish from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and earned her doctorate from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is fluent in Spanish and has experience in Family Practice and Pediatrics. Strickland is excited to practice in the community where she lives.
Joseph H. Hawkins, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Hawkins came to Eudora in 2015 from Marysville, where he practiced at Community Memorial Healthcare/ Marysville Clinic. He received his bachelor’s degree in cellular biology at the University of Kansas and earned his medical degree in 2008 at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. He completed the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program in 2011. Dr. Hawkins is board certified in family medicine.
Kevin E. Hughes, MD
Family Medicine
Dr. Hughes is board certified in family practice. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas and his medical degree at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He completed his residency in family medicine at Via-Christi-St. Joseph Family Practice in Wichita.
Kimberly Todd, PA-C
Family Medicine
Kimberly Todd, PA-C is a family practice provider at Family Medicine of Tonganoxie. She earned her master's degree in physician assistant studies from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2014. Before joining the McLouth and Tonganoxie teams, she worked in family practice and in orthopedics at OrthoKansas. Kimberly is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Melissa Ferguson, APRN-C
Family Medicine
Melissa Ferguson, APRN, received her undergraduate nursing degree from Washburn University in Topeka, KS and her graduate degree from the University of Kansas. She previously worked at LMH Health and is excited to be back and provide holistic care to her patients at LMH Health Primary Care - South Iowa Street.
Melissa Norris, APRN
Caring for the residents of McLouth is important to nurse practitioner Melissa Norris. It’s in the area she’s proud to call home.
“I’m excited to work in McLouth because I live in a small town nearby,” she said. “I enjoy getting to create a bond with my patients, getting to know them and them getting to know me. That allows me to help them be healthier and gain the skills and knowledge to do that.”
Norris graduated from Wichita State University with her undergraduate degree in nursing and from Maryville University with her master of science in nursing.
She worked at Stormont Vail in the pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric behavioral health, then as a director of nursing at F.W. Huston Medical Center before joining LMH Health. Norris also continues to work alongside the team at the LMH Wound Healing Center. Her passion lies in providing primary care for patients at all ages and stages of life.
“I grew up in a small town and we only had a community hospital, so the doctors and nurses we saw there were within our community,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to offer services in McLouth so patients don’t have to drive into the city or travel far away to get care. I have the support of LMH Health, its providers and resources at my fingertips.”
Savannah Ericksen, DO
Family Medicine
Savannah Ericksen, DO, earned her undergraduate degree in Nutrition Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Medicine. She is a member of the Missouri Army National Guard and former Army Combat Flight Medic.
“I knew that I wanted a career that would let me help people and challenge me to continue to learn. Family medicine allows me to focus on learning how to meet each of my patient’s unique needs.”
One of Doctor Ericksen’s favorite parts about being a physician is being able to teach about healthcare. She takes pride in her patients being able to trust her to guide them through their healthcare journey.
“I have a special focus on diabetes. My background in nutrition has helped me better understand blood sugar and how medicine, diet and exercise can change it.”
Stacey Dines, APRN
Family Medicine
Stacey Dines joined Eudora Family Care in 2018. She earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Kansas in 1998, and worked as a registered nurse for two years. She then completed her master of science in nursing at the University of Kansas in 2002, graduating with honors. Stacey received her national certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2014. Before joining Eudora Family Care, she worked for four years in women’s health and for 12 years in family medicine.