OUR PHYSICIANS
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of Comanche County Hospital is to work together to provide the finest healthcare for everyone.
OUR PHYSICIANS
Dr. Schowengerdt
Dr. Schowengerdt, a Family Practice physician, graduated from KU School of Medicine and completed his residency in 1992. He began working at Comanche County Hospital in 2006. Dr. Schowengerdt went in to health care because he enjoys the science of the human body and enjoys helping people feel their best. Dr. Schowengerdt loves the challenges of rural health care. Resources can be limited, but it challenges the skills and mind of the provider to try to figure out what is going on with the patient. The community has shown a lot of support in our facility and staff and I have enjoyed my time here serving this area and getting to know my patients and their family.
OUR NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Melanie Dunn
Melanie Dunn, APRN has enjoyed a busy career at Comanche County Hospital since 2000. After graduating from Fort Hays State University with her BSN, she completed her graduate studies from KU. "I went into the medical field because I love people. I have always loved listening to people and trying to help them solve their problems-medically, emotionally, and spiritually. We only get one life and I want to do my part to help people make the most of the life they have. Rural health care is scary because our resources tend to be limited, the issues we are exposed to are of a wide variety, and the people we take care of are our friends and our family. But rural health care is amazing, because we get to truly know our patients not only behind the closed doors of the exam room, but also on the streets, in the aisles, at the dinner tables, and in the bleachers and pews within our community. Our community is small and quiet. The people have good hearts. You can always count on people to step up to help the struggling, give encouragement when it is needed, and do what they can to support and love the other people that also call this community home. "
Ashley Alvarez
Ashley Alvarez, APRN started her career with Comanche County Hospital in September 2013 after graduating from Wichita State University in August 2013. "In high school, I took a Certified Nursing Assistant course and got experience working as a CNA. It was during that time that I realized I really enjoyed taking care of people and knew I wanted a career in the medical field. Rural health care has many positives and also many challenges. I love the time I get to spend with my patients and getting to know them and their families. The biggest challenge I see is that specialty care is not as convenient. If I refer someone to a specialist, it takes time to get a consult complete, and I know that is hard on the patients! I have loved being a part of this community and serving those around me. I love how everyone is willing to take care of one another and really step up when others have a need."
Carmen Nelson
Carmen Nelson, APRN FNP-C, was born and raised in Coldwater, KS to Richard and Diana Thompson. (Doc Goering delivered me at Comanche County Hospital). Carmen graduated as valedictorian of the class of 2009 from South Central High School where she participated in many extracurricular activities. She attended Fort Hays State University and was a member of the women’s golf team and Mortar Board National Honor Society. Carmen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from FHSU in 2014. She moved to North Platte, NE after graduation where she worked as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and Progressive Care Unit at Great Plains Health for 5 years. She and her husband, Chris met while living in North Platte. They moved to Hays in the fall of 2019 to be more centrally located between both of their families. Carmen worked in the Intensive Care Unit at Hays Medical Center, and Chris worked at M & D Excavating. Chris and Carmen have a 2.5-year-old son, Berkley, and will welcome their second child in August 2023. Carmen attended Purdue University Global and received a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree in February 2023. She is a member of the Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society and is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Carmen enjoys gardening, baking, camping, golfing, hunting, jigsaw puzzles, and reading, but most of all, spending time with her family and friends. Carmen is “excited to be back where she was raised and serve the community that was a vital part of her growing up.” She always had working in Coldwater as a dream as she pursued advancement of her career and is thrilled to have the opportunity to make that dream happen. She has a passion for promoting preventative healthcare through routine screenings and assessments to reduce co-morbidities. She is “looking forward to building relationships with patients and working with fellow providers and staff.”