LMH Health Primary Care – 6th & Folks Road | Internal Medicine

Benjamin Smith, D.O., earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas in exercise physiology. He later earned a master’s degree in bioethics and a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree, both from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He completed a residency in internal medicine via the University of Kentucky at the Medical Center at Bowling Green. He is a member of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Smith said it is often hard to believe this is his job, he loves what he does and the relationships he builds with patients. There is much more he enjoys about being a doctor, but serving the Lawrence community and growing with his patients is definitely at the top. In his free time, Dr. Smith enjoys staying active with regular exercise, watching the Jayhawks and Kansas City sports teams, being outdoors and exploring new places around the world and locally with family and friends.

Dr. Penn has been with Internal Medicine Group since 1996.  He is board certified in infectious disease and internal medicine.  He treats patients in all areas of internal medicine with an emphasis on infectious diseases.  He received his medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine before completing his residency and fellowship training at University of Kansas Medical Center.

Darlene Bryant earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from the Mississippi University for Women and her master’s in nursing from South University. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
“I love working in primary care because I’m able to address problems and be part of a team to see patients through their care and treatment. Whether that involves medication or lifestyle changes, we work together to set a goal and achieve it.”
Darlene has worked in healthcare for many years, working in primary care, pain management and endoscopy. She earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from the Mississippi University for Women and her master’s in nursing from South University. Darlene is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
“LMH Health is a great community hospital and the staff is phenomenal. You can feel really good with the care you get at our clinic. If you receive a referral, it’ll with someone we know and trust.”

Hallie J. Kretsinger, MD, graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2015 after earning two bachelor’s degrees -- in Germanic languages and literatures and in philosophy-neuroscience-psychology -- with honors in 2011 from Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Kretsinger is a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians and completed her internal medicine residency at St. Louis University in 2018. She is board certified in Internal Medicine.

Heather Yates earned her undergraduate degree in Human Biology from the University of Kansas, and her Master of Health Sciences degree in Physician assistant studies from Duke University. Heather is certified by the National Certification on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). 

Science and learning pulled Heather Yates to medicine more than 30 years ago, and it’s kept her captivated every day since. 

“I look forward to learning more all the time. You can see thousands of sore throats, but there may be something a bit different about this particular diagnosis,” she said. “There’s something that you can continually learn from, and that keeps me going.” 

Heather was also intrigued by the idea of practicing medicine in a team setting, and the challenge of primary care. But she really enjoys the people she meets along the journey.  

“There’s a saying in medicine that if you listen long enough, the patient will tell you what’s wrong. I want to hear from you. Write it down, bring in a list of what’s wrong, your needs, and we’ll get started,” she said. “I’ve learned so much from patients over the years, and it’s an honor to be able to be part of that journey with people.” 

Dr. Joy-Ann Tabanor-Gayle earned her medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, where she was honored as valedictorian of her graduating class. She completed her internal medicine residency at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey and served as Chief Resident for the program. She then completed her rheumatology fellowship at the University of Connecticut. She is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology.
She is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, American College of Physicians and American Medical Association.
“I chose to become a physician out of a lifelong interest in the complexity of the human body and the desire to be in a career field that requires lifelong learning, as well as playing an active role in community health.”
She knew she wanted to work in rheumatology after interacting with her first patient in medical school who had lupus.
“What I love most about being a rheumatologist is being able to witness the impact that a correct diagnosis and instituting a treatment plan can have on a patient’s life.”

Dr. Stuever has been with Internal Medicine Groups since 1993.  He is a board-certified internist and treats patients in all areas of internal medicine.  He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and he completed his residency and fellowship training as Internal Medicine Chief Resident at the University of Kansas Medical Center. 

Kristen Allen, PA-C, received her undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and her masters in physician assistant studies from Chatham University. Allen is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Kansas Associations of Physician Assistants.

“I always knew I wanted a career that would allow me to help people. Being a physician assistant allows me to take care of the whole person while building a relationship with the patient.”

Allen has worked with the hospitalist group at LMH Health since 2014. She has also worked on a PRN basis in LMH Health’s primary care clinics.

“I specialize in patients’ recovery as they transition from a complex hospital stay back into their daily life.”

One of Allen’s favorite aspects of her job is being able to work with her patients to improve their quality of life.

“I want my patients to know that I am here to listen. It’s important to me that I understand what is bothering them and what they are looking for.”

In her free time, Allen enjoys cooking and trying new foods, and traveling with her family.

Matthew Carey, MD, is a psychiatrist with the Internal Medicine Group at LMH Health. He was an internal medicine and psychiatry assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine and psychiatry.

Megan Amyx joined Internal Medicine Group in 2017.  She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing and her master's degree in nursing, at Washburn University in Topeka.   Earlier in her career, she was an emergency room nurse for Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Stephanie Pryor can pinpoint the time she knew that she wanted to work in healthcare. It happened following her father’s colon cancer diagnosis when he was just 30.
“I spent lots of time with my father in the hospital during his treatments and was astounded by the compassion the nursing staff and providers showed both of us. They let me watch things, explained different things and let me be ask questions and curious and that made it less scary for me. It really changed my outlook on healthcare.”
Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Baker University. She worked in areas including critical care before earning a Doctor of Nursing degree from the University of Kansas.
“I love being a nurse practitioner and seeing my patients through their care. Whether it’s working with patients who have a cold or helping them to manage chronic illnesses like hypertension, I want to see the whole picture – not just a snapshot.”
Being approachable is important to Stephanie. She wants her patients to know she’s always ready to listen, and to feel comfortable enough that they can discuss any problem. It’s also important to know that when you have a problem, Stephanie leaves no stone unturned.
“Everything is solvable, even if there’s not a clear solution. I want you to know that you can come talk with me, and we’ll work together to find the answers.”

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.”