Medical School: Des Moines University, PA Training
Certifications: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Dennis is an Emergency Room provider.
Specialty:
Physician Assistant
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Medical School: Wichita State University, PA Training
Certifications: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Joshua is an Emergency Room provider.
Specialty:
Physician Assistant
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
In his extensive work in healthcare, Desbien has seen the industry through a number of different roles. He completed Coffeyville Community College’s paramedic program then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wichita State University and spent three years as an RN before going back to Wichita State to earn an MSN-FNP.
Perry is an Emergency Room provider.
Specialty:
Nurse Practitioner
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
CEO and Chief Anesthetist
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Comes once a month for scopes and pain management (epidurals, ablations) as referred.
Specialty:
Anesthesia
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City
Residency: Internal Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita
Fellowships: Cardiology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville
Board Certified: Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiologist who sees patients monthly for their follow ups.
Specialty:
Cardiology
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Gage Reichert, PA is the newest member of the GCH team. He grew up outside of Dresden, KS on the family farm with his parents and four other brothers. He is a certified physician assistant and graduate of Wichita State University. Before finding his passion as a physician assistant, he served as a registered nurse, working in long term care, surgery, and the intensive care unit. Gage enjoys getting to know his patients not only as their provider, but also as their friend. He enjoys being in the outdoors, reading, playing drums, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Year joined staff: 2021
Education: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
Wichita State University
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Kat Davis, PA maintains board certification with National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, Basic Life Support and a medical examiner for the department of transportation. Kat is eager to provide comprehensive, holistic healthcare to help her patients learn more about preventive healthcare. Her special interests include women’s health, men’s health, acute care, family medicine and youth services. In her personal life, she devotes her time to her French bulldog, Potato, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Also in her spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball and getting in the holiday spirit.
Year joined staff: 2019
Education: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
Emory University
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
Colorectal Surgery, Endoscopies
Medical School: Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Fellowship: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Research) | University of Missouri-Columbia, MO (Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery)
Board Certified: American Board of Surgery
Residency: Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR | Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
Comes the first Thursday of the first full week for scopes and EGDs.
Specialty:
General Surgery
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
A native of upstate New York where he was born and raised on his family’s dairy farm, Dr. Luke Handy has nearly 20 years of family medicine practiced in a rural setting. Dr. Handy cares for all ages and enjoys building long-term relationships with patients and their families. He takes pride in personalizing treatment and ensuring ongoing access to quality healthcare. In his free time, Dr. Handy likes hunting, fishing, reading, and enjoying time with his family and church.
Year joined staff: 2018
Education: Doctor of Medicine – University of Rochester, School of Medicine
University of Rochester – Family Medicine Residency
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
No
Dr. David Atkins is a hometown physician who grew up in Morland, KS. He is dedicated to preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases that affect you and your family. In his personal life, Dr. David devotes his time to his three children. He also enjoys reading, golfing, and rooting for the K-State Wildcats. Dr. Atkins serves our country as a Flight Surgeon for the Army National Guard. He is excited to be in Graham County practicing medicine in the community he calls home.
Year joined staff: 2014
Education: Doctor of Medicine – University of Kansas, School of Medicine
University of Kansas – Family Medicine Residency
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Contact:
(785) 421-2121
Accepting New Patients:
Yes
We’re glad you’re here! Explore our newly revamped website, thoughtfully redesigned to make it easier to find the care, resources, and information you need.
Since 1953, Graham County Hospital has proudly served Hill City and the surrounding region with quality, compassionate healthcare. As a trusted not-for-profit Critical Access Hospital, we are dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of our rural community—offering a wide range of medical services, personalized care, and a patient-centered approach. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to promoting health, healing, and hope—close to home, where it matters most.
At Graham County Hospital, our mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the communities we serve. We are committed to delivering patient-centered services with integrity, respect, and excellence — close to home, where it matters most.
Whether directly providing patient care or supporting those who do, every GCH employee has an impact on the quality of the patient experience and the level of excellence we collectively achieve. This knowledge, expressed in our shared commitment to a single, patient-focused mission, unites us.
OUR MISSION
Our Mission is the heartbeat of our organization. It’s why we exist:
To provide the highest quality health and prevention services for everyone in our community.
OUR VISION
Our Vision is our destination. It’s what we’re striving toward:
To be the preferred healthcare provider for our community by cultivating a culture of compassion, collaboration, and well-being where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.
OUR VALUES
Our Values are the compass that guides our daily decisions and behaviors. They are the rules we live by:
The vision for Graham County Hospital began in 1944 with the will of John Legere, who left 480 acres of land to be used for building a hospital. After enduring personal loss and extended hospital stays himself, Legere understood the need for local healthcare access. The land gift was accepted by the city council in May 1944, but World War II delayed action. In 1947, a committee was officially appointed to lead the effort, and a fundraising campaign began. By 1952, voters approved the hospital initiative by a 4-to-1 margin. The hospital opened in December 1953 with a community dedication ceremony and its first birth occurring the very next day.
Graham County Hospital quickly became a vital part of the community. Administrators like Richard Werling and William Pugh helped expand services and maintain daily operations. A ten-bed addition was built in 1956, followed by further expansions in 1967, which included a larger dining room, laundry room, and business office. The introduction of Medicare in 1965 significantly increased patient stays and sparked further upgrades.
The hospital added a birthing room, updated monitoring equipment, and improved patient services. Drs. P.J. and B.N. Reddy, both highly trained and board-certified physicians from India, joined the staff in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing advanced medical care to Hill City. In 1997, the hospital broke ground on a major Emergency Room and Outpatient addition, completed in late 1997 with modern facilities including Radiology, Physical Therapy, and a telemedicine classroom. The project was largely funded by a $2 million bond issue approved by residents.
Graham County Hospital was officially designated as a Critical Access Hospital in 2000, allowing for improved Medicare reimbursement. Key technology upgrades included a mobile MRI unit, new chemistry analyzers, and the installation of CPSI hospital management software. The hospital expanded its radiology and cardiac rehab services, remodeled clinic spaces, and continued recruiting new medical professionals including APRNs and physician assistants.
The hospital has faced challenges, including administrative transitions and financial constraints, but community support and dedicated staff have always pushed it forward. Major community celebrations such as the 50th anniversary in 2003 showcased the public’s appreciation. The Wellness Center, additional clinics, and modern pharmacy and nursing systems demonstrate the hospital’s ongoing commitment to innovation and compassionate care.
Graham County Hospital continues to serve as a beacon of health and hope for Graham County and beyond. Guided by dedicated trustees, administrators, and medical staff, the hospital’s history of resilience and service paves the way for a promising future.
Stay tuned—our story continues.