Our Residents - Biographies
Erin Baxa, MD
I was raised in the small town of Andale, KS, then attended Newman University in Wichita for my B.S. in biology. I entered medical school under the Scholars in Primary Care program, at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
I completed my last two years of medical school at the Wichita campus.
I am recently married to Luke, who is from Beloit, Kansas. In our free time, we enjoy bike riding, camping, and visiting family and friends.
I hope to practice broad spectrum family medicine in a town of Salina’s size or smaller, with an emphasis in women’s health and wound care.
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Steven Bear, MD
Steven Bear joined the Smoky Hill Family Medicine residency in July of 2007 as part of the first year class. Steven received his MD from the University of Kansas School Of Medicine in Kansas City. While in medical school, Steven was heavily involved in the student run Jaydoc free clinic. Prior to that, Dr. Bear did his graduate work at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore where he earned a Master’s degree in molecular microbiology and immunology.
Dr. Bear received his Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Georgia State University in Atlanta.
On the personal side, Dr. Bear is a proud southerner, being born and raised in Georgia. He married his college girlfriend in 2002 and they had their first child in late 2005.
As his background suggests, Dr. Bear enjoys learning and talking about science. He is also somewhat of a history buff but most of his current hobbies can be boiled down to ‘playing with the baby’.
The family is enjoying their new home of Salina, Kansas but the goal is to live and work in a smaller town in Kansas where the need for access to healthcare seems to grow every year.
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David Guernsey, MD
Dr. David Guernsey joined Smoky Hill in 2007 as a resident. Throughout his youth he called Olathe, Kansas his home. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 2003 with a bachelors degree in genetics, and completed medical school at KUMC in 2007.
Dr. Guernsey has been awarded the “Most interesting swing” and “Don’t quit your day job” awards from the residency for his superb skills in dancing and golf.
When not actively saving lives, Dr. Guernsey enjoys mountain biking, home repair, reading, and especially being a dad.
He and his wife Heather have three amazing children.
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Raul Morffi, MD
On warm summer days, Dr. Morffi enjoys cruising on his purple moped through the busy streets of downtown Salina. He stops occasionally to greet the locals and share the breeze.
Some afternoons, he finds his way over to Lakewood Park to fly fish alongside the youth fishing with their casting nets.
Every Saturday he and his wife join other enthusiasts to play Ultimate Frisbee on the YMCA lawn.
As often as possible he takes part in blues and BBQ in the backyard while his wife jams on the Trumpet and he mans the ribs. Watch out for Sam.
Frequent travel is a must.
He is currently mountain biking The Castle in Lindsborg.
Medical missions, serving the underserved, especially Spanish speaking populations have a special place in his heart. Medically he is most excited about obstetrics, general medicine, and cardiology.
All that said, he values family most of all and hence why he chose the family medicine specialty and The Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency where family is the focus.
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Joseph Hawkins, MD
Dr. Hawkins grew up in several small, rural towns of Kansas. Originating in Bendena, he moved to Harveyville during elementary school,
and then to Lyndon in high school. Joe not only graduated from Lyndon High School, it is also where he met his future wife, Brandi.
As a lifelong Jayhawk, he attended the University of Kansas where he majored in Cellular Biology with a minor in History. After finishing his undergraduate degree in 2004, he entered the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his clinical rotations at the Wichita campus after which he joined the Smoky Hill Family Medicine team.
Away from the clinic Joe and Brandi enjoy playing basketball, pool, and darts as well as their Nintendo Wii. Their other interests include outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping. They also enjoy just kicking back with friends to enjoy a cool beverage.
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Lubna Ahmed, MD
No bio at this time
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Cassie Scripter, MD
No bio at this time
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Ross Kimball, MD
Ross grew up outside of Lane, KS. He graduated from Central Heights High School in 1998. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Ottawa University in 2002. Ross attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He spent the last 18 months of medical school in Salina as part of the Rural Track program.
Ross has always been attracted to rural family medicine. His medical interests include prventive health, endocscopy and sports medicine.
Ross met his loving wife Jennifer in college and they were married in 2004. They have a wonderful two year old son named Carter. Ross and Jen enjoy fishing, hunting, spending time with family and friends, gardening and baseball when they are not chassing Carter.
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Kari Clouse, MD
No bio at this time
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Melissa Kalb, MD
No bio at this time
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Sara Cook, DO
No bio at this time
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Beverly Wilson, MD
No bio at this time
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