Interested in joining our Board?
Rafael Mendez, President
Rafael Mendez joined the SHEF Board in 2022. He first learned about SHEF from long-time SHEF Board member, Angie Coble. Shortly after moving to Salina, Rafael and Angie met for coffee and talked about SHEF. Rafael was impressed by the large impact SFHC has on Salina and surrounding communities. Rafael is the Vice-President of Customer Culture at Blue Beacon, Inc. He is also a member of the Kansas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees and SpringBoard: A Board Service Training Program, as well as a graduate of Leadership Salina 2021 and Leadership Kansas 2022.
Tissa Salter, Vice President
Liticia “Tissa” Salter joined the SHEF Board in 2022. When she first moved to Salina in 2015, she ended up at SFHC for medical care, when she had a cold. She says she has “never considered” going anywhere else, and even returned to SFHC for annual checkups, even when she was working overseas! Tissa’s favorite thing about SHEF is the dedication the team has to making all healthcare available to everyone – without any type of ‘elitism.’ She is a Faculty member in the English Department at Kansas Wesleyan University and an active member in Christ Episcopal Cathedral.
Kristi Hays, Secretary
Kristi Hays joined the SHEF Board in 2022. Growing up in Salina, she’s been familiar with SFHC for a long time, however, in the last five years she has really started to understand how many valuable services they offer the community. Her favorite thing about SFHC has been it’s growth over the last few years, “having services like healthcare, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy, and outreach under the same organization is fantastic!” Kristi is an Implementation Consultant for Anthology, Inc. When she’s not at work or in the SFHC Board room, she’s involved with the Salina Human Resource Management Association and Kansas 4-H.
Jordan Webb, Treasurer
Jordan Webb joined the SHEF Board in 2020. He first heard about SHEF through our Outreach programs and community presence, in addition to hearing from Todd Shanks, a former Board member. Jordan loves, “Their vision to serve the community in so many different ways, and their constant progress to work and strive at continuing the best care for their patients.” Jordan is a Partner at Pathway Financial Solutions. He also volunteers his time on the Finance Board and Investment Committee for the Diocese of Salina.
Ramona Malone, Past President
Ramona V. Malone has been a Salina Family consumer since 2004 and joined the Board in 2020. When asked what her favorite thing about SHEF, she said, “EVERYTHING!” She loves that SHEF (Salina Health Education Foundation) has everything all in one place, professional staffers, a patient-centered environment, and excellent medical care. Ramona is the Secretary and Minister of Music at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to her work with SHEF, Ramona stays busy volunteering for North Salina Community Development, NAACP, Salina Gospel Choir, and MLK Ad Hoc Committee.
Andy Adams
Andy Adams has been a member of the SHEF Board since 2020. While Andy was aware of SFHC for many years prior, that year he learned more about SHEF’s involvement in the community and the substantial number of services provided, prompting him to get involved. Andy’s favorite thing about SHEF is how big of an asset it is to the community. “They are always willing to help anyone in need and were a great leader when the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced,” he says. Andy stays busy as Bennington State Bank’s Senior Vice-President and as a volunteer for Salina AM Ambucs Breakfast Bandits and Men’s League Advisory Board at GreatLife Golf and Fitness
Kaci Ashurst
Kaci Ashurst joined the SHEF Board in 2022. Her experience with SHEF started by using Salina Family Healthcare’s pediatric services for her children. They love Dr. Rupe and the Red Team! Her favorite thing about SHEF is the diverse services and community care they provide. Kaci is a Commercial Underwriter for Continental Western Group. Kaci and her family stay active in the community through programs and volunteering at the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents, YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ashby House, Ark Church, and various military family activities.
Bradley Burr
Bradley Burr is the owner of Class A Painting, where he combines his business acumen with a dedication to quality service. His connection to Salina Family Healthcare Clinic (SFHC) began several years ago during his tenure as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Salina Fire Department.
Bradley is enthusiastic about SFHC’s comprehensive range of healthcare services, which he believes play a crucial role in the community. In addition to his professional work, he is actively involved in several organizations. He serves as the president of Skydive K-State, a non-profit club, and is a personal advocate for local first responders, focusing on support for Post-Traumatic Stress and mental health issues related to their roles.
Bradley is eager to contribute to the SFHC Board and is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team to support and enhance community health.
Barrett Halderman, PhD
Barrett Halderman, PhD, joined the SHEF Board in 2022. He first learned about us through his job at Central Kansas Mental Health Center, where residents in Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program did mental health rotations with the CKMHC Psychiatric Team. After his positive experiences with residents and the retirement of his longtime physician – he called SFHC to arrange care here. “I’m really impressed with how committed everyone is to providing the best care for patients. I had the good fortune of working with medical faculty to co-facilitate resident led professional development groups that focused on the medical, and social/emotional needs of patients. I was impressed with the holistic treatment approach that SFHC teaches residents and provides to patients.
Dirk Hutchinson, MD
Dr. Hutchinson joined the SHEF Board in 2023. He has known about SFHC for as long as he’s lived in Salina. As a physician, he was involved in teaching residents from the start of his practice until his retirement. He also volunteered his time for the Salina Cares clinic, one of the entities that combined to form SHEF! His favorite thing about SHEF is “The excellent, much needed care of the underserved members of our community. The quality and diversity of the staff. The residency program, which produces excellent physicians for the rural areas of Kansas.” Dr. Hutchinson, is retired after practicing Internal Medicine for 9 years in Winfield and another 30.5 in Salina. He is also involved in teaching first and second year students at KUMC. Dr. Hutchinson is also on the Board for Sunflower Adult Day Services and Salina Education Foundation, as well as volunteering at his church, Trinity United Methodist.
Carolee Jones
Carolee Jones, retired Executive Director of Child Advocacy and Parenting Services, devoted 23 years to supporting children and families. Her connection to Salina Family Healthcare Clinic (SFHC) is personal and professional; as a patient of Dr. Robert Kraft for over 15 years, she has seen the clinic’s impact firsthand. In the 1980s, as President of the League of Women Voters, she led a study on healthcare affordability that contributed to the creation of a health clinic for uninsured residents in Saline County.
Carolee is excited about SFHC’s compassionate, patient-centered care accessible to all. Her volunteer work spans several roles: board member and grants chair for Women Helping Women, Council member and Social Ministry chair at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and organizer for various community initiatives, including the Smoky Hill River Festival and Operation Christmas Child. Her active involvement with the League of Women Voters, BW, and the NAACP underscores her lifelong commitment to social justice and community support.
Nancy K. Lonergan
Nancy joined the SHEF Board in 2023 after former Board member, John Redding, recommended her. She’s also a patient of SFHC! Her favorite thing about SHEF is that it treats the needs of so many, while offering whole person care, from dental to vision and overall health. Nancy is a retired school teacher, who currently works part-time at Red Fern Booksellers in downtown Salina. She’s also a member of the Kansas Wesleyan University Education Board.
Juan Maldonado
Juan is a dedicated Student Success Coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, committed to empowering students and helping them excel both academically and personally. He was introduced to SFHC by his colleague, Tissa Salter, and is eager to contribute to the board, particularly in advocating for communities that may need more representation. Outside of his professional life, Juan is actively involved in soccer, participating with KWU Men’s Soccer and Central Kansas United (CKU), where he channels his passion for the sport into fostering teamwork and leadership.
Nicholas Sharpe
Nicholas Sharpe thrives as a technician at Salina Family Vision Care, where his journey as SFHC board member began through a recommendation from Ramona Malone. He is excited to play a hands-on role in Salina Family Healthcare’s development and growth. Outside of work, Nicholas and his two children are active in Scouts of America, bonding over outdoor adventures and embracing the values of community and personal growth. His dedication to both his professional and personal life reflects a commitment to excellence and enriching experiences for those around him.
Robert Vidricksen
Robert Vidricksen has been aware of SFHC since our beginning at Kansas Wesleyan University. His favorite thing is how SFHC “serves all walks of life and reaches beyond the borders of Saline County,’ and is ‘amazed at the breadth of health care services available.” Robert is currently retired. You may recognize him as the former Regional Manager for Steel & Pipe Supply Co or as a Saline County Commissioner. He is currently serving his second four year term. Robert says, “It is truly an honor to be selected to serve the community as a Board Member.”
