Summer brings many physician changes within Lawrence community

Dr. Charles Yockey, hospitalist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, makes his rounds. He plans to leave the hospitalist group in January to become a full-time pulmonologist who provides intensive care. by Mike Yoder

Lawrence Memorial Hospital President and CEO Gene Meyer announced a number of physician changes in the community during Wednesday's board meeting. Among them:

• Dr. Ken Wertzberger, an orthopedic surgeon, has left OrthoKansas to start his own practice. The Lawrence native plans to practice here and in Leavenworth.

• Dr. Charles Yockey is leaving LMH's hospitalist group to become a pulmonologist and help with the community's shortage. There currently is only one in town. He plans to start a practice next summer. Meanwhile, LMH will contract with the Cotton-O'Neil multi-specialty group to provide coverage for Yockey during the next year.

• Dr. John Goza is leaving Lawrence General Surgery after about two years. He has accepted a position as a surgeon for the College Park Family Practice Group in Overland Park.

• Dr. Joy Murphy joined the Mt. Oread Family Practice group on Aug. 8. She formerly worked at Lawrence Family Practice Center.

• Dr. Mickelle Hirschman is leaving Family Medicine of Baldwin City after two years. She accepted a position with a hospitalist group in Kansas City.

• Dr. H. Kathy Gaumer left Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists on July 31, and Dr. Lisa Pazdernik will be leaving in September. They've accepted positions elsewhere as laborists.

• Dr. Michele Bennett, a Lawrence High School and KU graduate, started working at OB-GYN Specialists this week.

• Dr. Luke Huerter also started work this week in the LMH Oncology Center. He is married to Bennett and he is the younger brother of Eric Huerter, an internal medicine doctor at Reed Medical Group.

• Dr. Ryan Stuckey, a spine surgeon, will be joining OrthoKansas on Sept. 1.

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