When Derek Yarmer, MD, accepted his new position as Emergency Department medical director at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), he was already familiar with the healthcare facility.

“I had a basic understanding of what the hospital has to offer because of its working relationship with HaysMed where I care for Emergency Department patients,” said Dr. Yarmer, an Albert native. “After seeing Pawnee Valley Community Hospital first-hand, I was really impressed with the facilities and the staff.

“PVCH is well-equipped to care for patients and has great laboratory and radiology support.”

In his new position in Larned, Dr. Yarmer will supervise the providers, and review and create policies and protocols.

He also will occasionally care for patients in the PVCH Emergency Department.

At HaysMed, Dr. Yarmer provides direct patient care by evaluating, diagnosing and treating medical conditions for patients of all ages.

“I will use these experiences to help the PVCH staff in whatever capacity I can to help provide quality care to citizens of central and western Kansas,” Dr. Yarmer commented. “The providers at PVCH do a great job and I hope to be a resource to answer questions, while offering guidance and support when needed.”

Melanie Urban, PVCH administrator, said “we are excited to have Dr. Yarmer join our Emergency Department. Not only does he bring a wealth of Emergency Department experience and leadership to our team, he has a thorough understanding of rural healthcare.”

Dr. Yarmer graduated from Otis-Bison High School in 2003 and then earned a degree in chemistry at Fort Hays State University in 2008. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2012 and performed his residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, graduating in 2015.

Since then, Dr. Yarmer has cared for Emergency Department patients at HaysMed.

He lives in Hays and his parents reside in rural Albert.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, 923 Carroll in Larned, is a 25-bed facility, offering many services not typically available in a smaller facility. Included are 24/7 emergency care; acute, skilled and specialized nursing; surgery; high-tech imaging and laboratory tests; wound care; rehabilitation; and sleep and diagnostic center. PVCH Family Medicine, 713 W. 11th, provides the full range of family-medicine services; physician-assisted weight loss; and women’s health services. The hospital’s number is 620-285-3161; the clinic’s number is 620-804-6007.