Class of 2020

Allison Haynes, MD

Dr. Allison Haynes was born and raised in Clay Center, KS.

She received her Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Kansas State University and then went on to complete her medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine- Kansas City. 

Dr. Haynes met her husband Russell during medical school and they tied the knot shortly before she graduated. In her spare time, Dr. Haynes enjoys hunting with her husband, running, painting, playing the piano, watching Netflix, and playing with her two endless balls of energy- dogs Cici and Winston.

Allison loves rural Kansas and is very excited to practice rural scope family medicine back home in Clay Center at Clay County Medical Center.

Medical interests: Obstetrics, Women’s health, Pregnancy and STD prevention in teens, and Disaster Medicine.


Theresia Neill, MD

Chief Resident 2019-2020

Dr. Theresia Neill grew up on a dairy farm near Severy, KS.

Dr. Neill graduated from Butler Community College then went on to receive a dual Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Kinesiology with a secondary major in Gerontology from Kansas State University (Go Cats!). Her medical degree was scrupulously obtained at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina.

In her spare time, she enjoys doing many house and yard projects with her husband, Tate. She also enjoys cooking, cycling, traveling and spending time in Colorado with her twin sister. Theresia also has two dogs, Lucy and Leo, and a cat, Boots, who provide a constant source of entertainment. She is practicing at Norton County Medical Center in Norton, KS.

Medical interests: Women and Children’s health, Obstetrics, and Preventative medicine. 


Miranda McKellar, MD

Dr. Miranda McKellar grew up in the tiny town of Sycamore, KS. Working in a rural family doctor’s office in high school sparked her interest in medicine and the rest is history!

She attended the University of Kansas where she cheered on the Jayhawks while she received her Bachelor of Science in Genetics. She then traveled to Salina where she completed her medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina. After seeing what the great medical community of Salina had to offer, she decided to finish her training at Smoky Hill.

In her spare time, Dr. McKellar enjoys spending time with her husband, Ian, kiddo, Sawyer and two cats, Doris and Ethel. She also enjoys napping, reading, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and photography. Dr. McKellar is now practicing in Norton, KS at Norton County Medical Center.

Medical interests: Obstetrics, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Wilderness Medicine, and Wound Care. 


Cooper Nickel, MD

Dr. Cooper Nickel is from Lindsborg, KS. 

While living in Pearson Scholarship Hall, he attended The University of Kansas where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology. He then completed his medical training at The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Kansas City for the first two years and completed his training at the Wichita campus. During medical school, Dr. Nickel enjoyed being involved with the AAFP at the national level.

Dr. Nickel’s beautiful wife Lynda, is a nurse on Inpatient Rehab. Together they have a little boy, Charlie. In his spare time, Cooper enjoys the culinary arts, weightlifting, biking, the outdoors, and traveling. Cooper is now in Lawrence, KS at Heartland Community Health Center.

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, Sports medicine, Procedures, Direct Primary Care, and Mental health.


Kent Niss

Dr. Kent Niss was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

He attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Health Sciences. He then attended medical school at The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

In his spare time, Dr. Niss enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities with his wife, Katie, and two dogs, Moose and Birdie. His hobbies include archery, woodworking, and hiking. The two are back in Pawnee City, NE, where Dr. Niss practices at Pawnee Memorial Hospital and Rural Clinic.

Medical interests: Rural medicine, Emergency Medicine, Procedures.