Medical Specialists​
Every week, top medical specialists in a wide range of disciplines keep regular office hours right here at Tri Valley Health System, which means that the advanced care you need for special conditions can be accomplished without the time and expense of a lengthy drive.

Cardiology 

Sean Denney, MD: 
Platte Valley Medical Group

​Dr. Denney received his medical degree from Creighton University and specializes in cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology & internal medicine.

Cardiology

Brooke Huxoll, PA-C:
Platte Valley Medical Group

Brooke received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

Cardiology 

Steven Krueger, MD:
Bryan Heart Institute

​Dr. Krueger received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and has a ​special interest in congestive heart failure.

Cardiology

Clyde Meckel, MD:
Bryan Heart Institute

Dr. Meckel attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed his residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He completed his fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital and is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology. 

Gynecolgy

Todd Pankratz, MD:
Obstetricians & Gynecologists PC

​Dr. Pankratz received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha in 1992 and he served his residency training at Truman Medical Center/St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Orthopedic Surgery

Chris Wilkinson, MD:
Kearney Orthopedic & Sports Medicine

​Dr. Wilkinson completed his medical degree from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He then completed his residency in general surgery at Maricopa County General Hospital & in orthopedic surgery from Phoenix Integrated Orthopedics.

Podiatry

Robert C. Hinze, DPM: 
High Plains Podiatry

​A Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Hinze completed his undergraduate education at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, followed by his post graduate education and primary residency at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and secondary residency in Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is well-known for his exceptional surgical skill and his expertise in wound care management and diabetic disorders of the foot. 

Podiatry

Richard J. Raska, DPM:
​Great Plains Foot and Ankle Specialists

Richard J. Raska, DPM, is a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Raska received his medical degree from the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his podiatric residency at the Southwest Detroit Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He specializes in all aspects of podiatry including foot surgery; sports injury; heel and arch pain; foot and ankle arthritis; diabetic foot care; pediatric foot care; corn, calluses and warts; fungal and ingrown nails; wound care; and custom-made orthotics. Dr. Raska is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons. 

Cardiology

Robert N. Hibbard, MD:
Bryan Heart Institute

Dr. Hibbard completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wyoming and then attended the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his internship, residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology at the Creighton University School of Medicine.

Dr. Hibbard is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine Subspecialty Boards of Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventional Cardiology. He is a fellow of the American College of Medicine, American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians and the American Society of Angiography/Intervention.

Counseling

Katie Andrews, MA, LIMHP:
​Ambience Counseling

Individual, Couples and Family Counseling

Oncology

George Bascom, MD:
Heartland Hematology & Oncology P.C.

​George Bascom, MD, FACP, Oncologist is a board-certified Oncologist. Dr. Bascom is a highly trained medical professional who specializes in Medical Oncology; Hospice and Palliative Medicine; and Internal Medicine. Dr. Bascom attended medical school at University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas. He completed an internship at St. Francis Hospital, Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas, and residency at Internal Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas.

Orthopedic Surgery

Pinak Shukla, MD: 
Great Plains Orthopaedics

​Dr. Shukla grew up in Chicago and recently moved to Nebraska from San Francisco. He attended medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His residency was completed at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and his fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Dr. Shukla is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He specializes in joint revision and replacement and general orthopaedic surgery, including hip and knee replacements, knee and shoulder scopes, anterior approaches to hip, total joints, muscle sparing procedures and minimally invasive procedures.

Cardiology

Joseph Kummer, MD:
Bryan Heart Institute

Dr. Kummer received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed his residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Cardiology

Matthew Johnson, MD:
Bryan Heart Institute

Dr. Johnson received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed his fellowship at the  University of Nebraska Medical Center and is board-certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty certification in Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology.

General Surgery

W. Thomas Sorrell, MD:
Kearney Clinic

​A Board Certified General Surgeon, Dr. Sorrell completed his undergraduate education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln followed by his Medical Degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha where he also completed his internship and residency.

Ophthalmology 

Thomas J. Clinch, MD:
Kearney Eye Institute

​Dr. Clinch received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed his Internship at Naval Medical Center in Virginia and his Residency at Ohio State University.

Pain

Dr. J Paul Meyer:
Heartland Pain Clinic

​Dr. J Paul Meyer is an Iowa native and has been a long time resident of Grand Island, Nebraska. He received his undergraduate degree in pharmacology and medical doctorate from South Dakota State. Dr. Meyer then completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Kansas. Dr. Meyer is board certified in anesthesiology and anesthesiology & pain medicine by the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Pulmonology

George Kassis, MD: 
Good Samaritan Specialist 

​Dr. Kassis earned his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. He completed an internship at King Hussein Hospital in Al-Salt, Jordan, and a residency in internal medicine at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. Dr. Kassis completed fellowships in pulmonary/critical care at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York and at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.

Telemedicine
​For other specialties such as psychiatry and neurology or for visits with a specialist between their regularly scheduled outreach clinic at Tri Valley, patients are able to connect with medical professionals through Telemedicine. Tri Valley currently has two systems utilized for patient care as well as staff training.