Medical Staff

William M. Sandy, MD

Dr. Sandy completed his undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biology at Drake University where he was named to the Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Beta Beta honor societies. He received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Iowa Internal Medicine program in Des Moines, Iowa.

As an Internist, Dr. Sandy provides general healthcare for adult patients and also has specialized training in endoscopy procedures and allergy.

He is married with two married children and enjoys sports and spending time with his family. He and his family are active members of their church.

Affiliations:
American College of Physicians
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association
Buffalo County Medical Society

Thomas B. Smith, MD

Dr. Smith received his bachelor degrees in chemistry and biology and a master of science in neuro anatomy from the University of Sioux Falls. He received his medical degree from the University of Iowa, and completed his residency at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Specializing in Internal Medicine, Dr. Smith provides general healthcare for adult patients, but also has special training in endoscopy procedures and allergy.

Dr. Smith is married with three grown children. He is on the Board of Trustees at the University of Sioux Falls and the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Children’s Home. Dr. Smith enjoys sports and spending time with his family, is a member of The Holdrege Rotary Club and is active in his church. He has also donated his time on medical missions to Jamaica and to Haiti.

Affiliations:
American College of Physicians
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association

Charlotte A. Wirges, MD

Dr. Wirges received her undergraduate degrees in chemistry and biology from Wayne State College. After completing her undergraduate studies she was presented the “Distinguished Graduate Recognition Award” and went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at Broadlawn Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dr. Wirges enjoys patients of all ages, with special interests in family practice, women’s health, obstetrics and pediatrics. She is married, and in her free time enjoys sewing, embroidery, crocheting, reading and spending time with her three children.

Dr. Wirges is a member of the Holdrege Rotary Club and she and her family are active members of their church.

Affiliations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association

Scott M. Ehresman, MD

Dr. Ehresman received his undergraduate degree in biology from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma and received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. He completed his residency in family medicine at the Lincoln Medical Education Foundation.

Dr. Ehresman was honored as the 2005 – 2006 Theodore H. Koefoot Jr., MD Outstanding Preceptor in Family Medicine for Nebraska. He enjoys patients of all ages, with special interests in family practice, obstetrics, pediatrics and sports medicine.

He enjoys many sports including tennis, golf, hunting, and fishing, and most importantly, spending time with his family. Dr. Ehresman is married with three children and is involved in coaching his kid’s sports, is a member of The Holdrege Rotary Club and active in his church. Dr. Ehresman has donated his time on medical mission trips to Haiti.

Affiliations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association

Jeffrey R. Berney, MD

Dr. Berney completed his undergraduate degrees in biology and natural science at Midland Lutheran College and received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. He completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and the “Accelerated Family Practice Fellowship”. Dr. Berney also completed a one year procedural fellowship.

Dr. Berney enjoys patients of all ages but has a special interest in family practice, obstetrics, pediatrics and sports medicine. He has specialized training in endoscopy procedures and allergy. He is on a number of boards including Nebraska Teammates Advisory, the YMCA of the Prairie and the Phelps Memorial Health Center.

Dr. Berney is married with three children and enjoys spending time with his family as well as sports of all kinds, hunting, coaching and exercise. He and his family are active members of their church. Dr. Berney has donated his time on medical mission trips to Jamaica.

Affiliations:
Physician Medical Director for Holdrege Memorial Homes
Physician Medical Director for Phelps County EMS
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association

Charles “Tuck” Smith, MD

Dr. Smith received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha and completed his residency in Family Medicine.

Dr. Smith enjoys patients of all ages, but has a special interest in family practice as well as obstetrics, pediatrics and sports medicine. He has specialty training in cesarean births, endoscopy procedures and allergy.

Dr. Smith is married with four children and enjoys sports and spending time with his family. He and his family are active members of their church, and Dr. Smith has donated his time on medical missions to Guatemala.

Affiliations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
Christian Medical Association
American Medical Association
Nebraska Medical Association

Charles Christie, PA-C

Mr. Christie received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he was honored as the Outstanding Biology Undergraduate. He received his masters of physician assistant studies at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, graduating with distinction.

Mr. Christie completed his clinical rotations at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and at a number of rural Nebraska healthcare facilities. He is on the board of directors for Holdrege Legion Baseball and is also a volunteer with the American Diabetes Association.

He is married and has three sons, and enjoys golf, baseball and spending time with his family in his free time. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and served in Iraq in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Mr. Christie was honored by the U.S. Air Force by being awarded the prestigious “Military Citizen Award”.

Affiliations:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants

David Powell, PA-C

David Powell earned an undergraduate degree in animal science from New Mexico State University, a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, a B.S. in physician assistant studies from Union College, and a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Prior to joining Family Medical Specialties, he was a physician assistant with the Nebraska Urology Center in Hastings.

Mr. Powell enjoys patients of every age, but his particular specialty is in areas relating to men’s health.

Mr. Powell has served with his community’s volunteer rescue squad, Board of Education, and church. In his free time, he especially enjoys camping, hunting, reading, and woodworking. He and his wife are parents of two daughters.

Affiliations:
Nebraska Academy of Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants

Connie Lans, PA-C

Connie Lans earned her undergraduate degree in human biology with a minor in psychology from Chadron State University, where she graduated cum laude. She received a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Before joining Family Medical Specialties, Ms. Lans was a physician assistant from the West Broadway Clinic in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Broadly trained, Ms. Lans completed clinical clerkships in OB/GYN, family practice, psychology, general surgery, internal medicine, international medicine, pediatrics, endocrinology, orthopedics, and geriatrics.

Connie Lans is married.  She has many interests and activities.  She loves the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.  She also enjoys cooking and volunteering in the community.

Affiliations:
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Iowa Physician Assistants Society

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