Meet Our
Medical Staff
Decatur Health is a rural health organization comprised of a critical access hospital and a rural family practice clinic.
Craig Bartruff, MD Medical Director
Graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a double...
Kristina Dreher, DNP, FNP-C
Graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Fort Hays State University in 2023. Kristina has four years of RN experience in rural...
Taylor Niermeier, PA-C
Taylor graduated from Kansas State University in 2024 with her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Taylor is a...
Meet Our
Specialty Medical Staff
Decatur Health is committed to providing quality health care to the rural population in our community.
Sean Denney, MD Cardiologist
Is an interventional cardiology specialist at Platte Valley Medical Group in Kearney, Nebraska, and has been practicing for over 18 years...
Ramez Awni Smairat, MD, RPVI, FACC, FSCAI
Dr. Smairat's medical education: University of Jordan/School of Medicine, Jordan Duration of study: 06/2003 - 06/2009 M.D., 06/2009 Prior Clinical Training...
Walter Eskildsen, MD General Surgeon
Is a general surgery specialist at Surgical Associates in McCook, Nebraska, and has been practicing for over 26 years. He graduated from University of ...
Jefrey Start, MD Sleep Medicine
Was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Start was a sleep technologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory...
Joshua H. Wray, DPM Podiatry
Dr. Wray is trained in all aspects of foot/ankle care. He is interested in podopediatrics, trauma, foot/ankle reconstruction and sports medicine...
Meet Our
Holistic Pain Management providers
At Decatur Health Systems, we prioritize your well-being and understand the debilitating impact of chronic pain. That’s why we’ve partnered with HPM’s medical experts to bring you cutting-edge pain management options right here in Oberlin.
Brad Wertz, Interventional Pain Management specialist
serving rural Kansas and Nebraska. He holds a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Kansas, a Post-Masters Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner from Maryville University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University.
Emily Zillinger, FNP
serves patients in Western Kansas. She states, “As a person who has grown up in rural Kansas working on a farm and ranch, it is important to remember that the body isn’t just another tool. We are often tough through the pain because we don’t have the time to worry about our physical wellness. Pain is the body reminding us to take a little time to maintain ourselves.”