Staff

Hometown: Lincoln, NE Med School Degree: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Residency: Lincoln Family Medicine Hobbies: volleyball, yoga, cooking, traveling, time with family Year Began: 2024

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine?

I love getting to know people and partnering with them to optimize their health. Family medicine allows me to serve this role for patients of all age and I really love the variety it brings to my practice.

Why did you choose MCHI?

My husband and I felt welcomed by Aurora and MCHI from the moment we first arrived in town for a visit. We knew right away this was the right fit for us. I am looking forward to building relationships with patients and the other member of the medical community here.

What can a patient expect during a visit with you?

Patients can expect a partner in their health journey when we meet. I hope to provide a listening ear and education as we work together to optimize well-being.

What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health?

A healthy diet and active lifestyle is the best prevention we have for many chronic conditions. Forming these healthy habits is challenging, but worth it! Prevention is the best medicine.

What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

I enjoy playing board games with my husband, visiting family, attending husker volleyball games, walking my dogs, and listening to audiobooks.

Hometown:  Hampton, NE
Med School Degree: American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Post University
Year Began: 2018

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine? I enjoy seeing patients of all ages. I find fulfillment in the ongoing process of learning, as a family practice doesn’t specialize in one specific thing. We get to see a wide variety of concerns/issues and we help guide the patient on treatment and recommend a specialist when needed.

What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI? In working in the area where I grew up, I feel right at home and continue to build relationships with patients, many whom I am already acquainted with. Additionally, I have the privilege of working alongside many friends, allowing me to maintain and strengthen those professional connections.

What can a patient expect during a visit with you? Giving my patients autonomy is very important to me. I listen and discuss options with every concern. I place the patient’s preference as the highest priority and do my very best to accommodate their goals with appropriate care.

What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health? Small changes or lifestyle adjustments can make a big impact to overall health. Preventative screenings and annual wellness visits can play a crucial role in early detection of potential health issues, promoting overall well-being, and enabling timely interventions to maintain a healthier life.

What are your favorite things to do in your free time? Try new recipes, ride ATVs, help on the farm and with my husband’s business at Knox Ag, sports activities with the kids, antique and thrift shopping, and going to professional and college sporting events.

Hometown: Norfolk, NE
Med School Degree: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Other: Diplomat, American Academy of Family Practice
Year Began: 1985

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine?

I became interested in medicine while I was still in high school. During my time in medical school, I realized that I enjoy working with the entire family, which family practice allows you to do. My time in residency training confirmed my desire to work with the whole family including extended families. After practicing here for 38 years I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI?

I enjoy working at MCHI very much. I know many of my patients from the community. It is often helpful to have some knowledge of what’s going on with their extended family. That’s an advantage of practicing in a small town. We have excellent staff at the clinic, hospital, MCC and East Park Villa which makes for improved care and makes my job easier.

What can a patient expect during a visit with you?

As a physician, I strive to achieve a personal relationship with each of my patients. I want to know you as a person, not just a patient. I feel one of my strengths is that I genuinely listen to my patients. I actively include your input as we discuss your symptoms and concerns, and encourage you to ask questions. I want to work as a partner with you, and will use specialists as needed. I always plan to notify you regarding test results in a timely manner. If you have any questions, you can call or send a message through the portal.

What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health?

We want you to be as healthy as possible, and there are things that we can do to help ourselves. A healthy diet with regular exercise is something we can all work harder at.  There are risk factors that we can monitor and treat as necessary. For example, if we find and treat diabetes and hypertension, we can help reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Cancer screenings can catch cancer in an earlier stage when it’s more curable or in some cases prevent the cancer. Keeping up on your vaccinations can help prevent serious disease. Engaging with others, whether through family, friends, work, church, community services or volunteering is an important part of your mental health. Your total health is important to me as your family physician.

What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

I am active at Messiah Lutheran Church here in Aurora. I am in the choir, bible study, sound booth operator and have served on the council. I have a small garden and enjoy doing yard work. I also enjoy fishing. We have a small boat and I like to go with my sons-in law. We take my grandchildren out for boat rides although so far they are not too interested in fishing!

Hometown: Shickley, NE Med School Degree: University of Nebraska Medical Center Residency: University of Nebraska Medical Center Other: Diplomat, American Academy of Family Practice Year Began: 1997

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine? My mother was an RN and thus I was exposed to the idea of medicine and understand what that entailed. Having grown up in a small rural community, I learned that in such a setting, being a family physician would allow opportunities to actually get to know those I treat. Also, family medicine provides a wide variety of illness across generations, which I enjoy. What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI? I enjoy the fellow staff and know they genuinely care about the patients. I appreciate that as an organization, it provides resources to help us provide excellent care to patients and their families. They support us by having specialists come here for outpatient clinics which allows the patient and doctor to have more availability to treat patients locally. MCHI seems to always be improving resources and facilities. They hire excellent staff who put the patient first. What can a patient expect during a visit with you? I try to get to know the patient and what their “story” is. Everyone has a story that makes them who they are, and is a vital part of their health history. Getting to know the patient and their families/support systems allows me to better communicate with and treat them. I do my best to respect their time and to explain things the best I can. Together, we can then decide what may be the best way to approach and treat their health condition. What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health? You are an individual and everybody’s background, goals, interests, and beliefs are unique to them. They should have the final say on what to do, and my role is to guide them and give the best advice I can with the training and knowledge I have. Ultimately, their decisions can have significant effects, both positively and negatively on their health. What are your favorite things to do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my wife and two sons. We enjoy eating out, traveling and watching sports. As a hobby I enjoy 3-D resin printing and creating unique sports figures that I hand paint.

Hometown:  Spalding, Nebraska

Med School Degree: Clarkson College, Omaha Year Began: 2026

Specializing in Family Medicine

Jennifer is a Primary Care provider who brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare and more than nine years of experience as a nurse practitioner, including six years in family medicine and three years in pain management. Why did you choose family medicine? As a family nurse practitioner I have the opportunity to provide holistic care for patients from birth through their older years. This long term relationship is so crucial in helping patients and their families live their healthiest lives. What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI? I enjoy developing trusting relationships to support patients and their families through a variety of life phases. I am looking forward to being a part of MCHI and working with their excellent healthcare team. What can a patient expect during a visit with you? A visit that is solely focused on personalized care, whether it involves treating an acute illness or preventative care based on healthy behaviors and disease prevention. What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health? Optimal health and well-being are a journey and I aim to help guide and listen to your health concerns. What are your favorite things to do in your free time? Chasing around my four kids, cooking and spinning/exercise.

Hometown: Henderson, NE
Med School Degree: Creighton University
Year Began: 2022

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine?

I love seeing patients of all ages. It’s fun to see a new baby during one visit and someone in their 90’s the next visit. I enjoy seeing and caring for the whole family!

What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI?

Being close to home and getting to know my patients on a more personal level is very rewarding.

What can a patient expect during a visit with you?

The visit is tailored toward your needs and what is realistic for you. There’s usually some discussion about diet and exercise along with review of appropriate screenings.

What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health?

Your health is about you! I am here to help facilitate your health goals.

What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with family! When the weather is nice, I am usually outdoors with my kids. We enjoy most sports, especially golf.

Hometown:  Aurora, NE
Med School Degree: College of Saint Mary, Omaha
Year Began: 2022

Specializing in Family Medicine

Why did you choose family medicine?

I chose family medicine because it is a great way to give back to my community. Being a family medicine provider enables me to make a positive impact on the overall well-being of my patients across all different life stages.

What do you enjoy most about being a provider and working at MCHI?

I enjoy forming meaningful relationships with my patients, building trust, and being a consistent resource for them. I also feel fortunate to work alongside some great people, making MCHI an awesome place to work!

What can a patient expect during a visit with you?

Patients can expect an environment where they can speak openly and honestly about their health concerns without fear of judgment. My goal is to build a trusting relationship with each patient, ensuring they feel heard and actively involved in their healthcare decisions.

What’s one thing you want people to remember most about taking care of their health?

Even small changes can make a big impact on your health!

What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, whether it’s at the lake, outdoors, or on vacation.

Hometown:  Northeast Nebraska Med School Degree: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha Year Began: 2026

Specializing in Primary Care

Dr. Sidak has over 15 years experience in primary, acute, and emergency care. He says the most meaningful part of his work is building relationships and being a trusted partner in his patients’ health. “My focus is on providing thoughtful, comprehensive care for families and individuals of all ages.  I want every patient to know their health genuinely matters to me.  I’m committed to listening, supporting, and walking with my patients through whatever they’re facing.”