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Board of Trustees

Christopher Pettz

Board Chair

Christopher Petz has called Kearny County home his entire life and has served on the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees since 2023. Deeply rooted in the community, Christopher joined the board out of a desire to give back and to play a meaningful role in sustaining the healthcare services that rural communities depend on. He considers it a privilege to serve alongside the dedicated staff and providers at Kearny County Hospital. When he’s away from board duties, Christopher enjoys fishing, hunting, staying active, traveling, and spending as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren.

Darin Smith

Treasurer

Darin Smith has been a proud Kearny County resident for more than 30 years and has served on the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees since 2018. A farmer by trade, Darin understands what it means to rely on the land and the community around you, and he joined the board out of a heartfelt desire to give back to a place that has given so much to his family. Outside of his board work, Darin’s favorite place to be is right where he’s always been: on the farm, surrounded by family.

Mike Bassett

Secretary

Michael Bassett has called Kearny County home since 2008 and has served on the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees since January 2022, reappointed in January 2026. Now retired, Michael brings a thoughtful, values-driven perspective to his role on the board. He believes serving is both a duty and a moral responsibility, one rooted in ensuring that patients across the region have access to safe, ethical care at every stage of life. When he’s not focused on the work of the board, Michael can be found in the kitchen baking, strumming the guitar, tending his garden, or lending his voice to a barbershop harmony.

George Sauer, Jr.

George Sauer, Jr. is a lifelong Kearny County resident who has served on the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees since 2022. Now retired, George brings a personal and deeply held conviction to his board service: that access to quality medical care is essential, especially as people age, and that protecting that access for his community is one of the most important things he can do. When he’s not focused on the work of the board, George enjoys time with his grandchildren, a good card game, and puttering around the yard.

John Jenkinson

John Jenkinson has lived in Kearny County since 2007 and joined the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees in 2024. With a diverse professional background spanning farming, the feed industry, broadcasting, and banking, John brings a well-rounded perspective to his role on the board. He is motivated by a commitment to ensuring that Kearny County and the surrounding communities have access to reliable, viable healthcare close to home. In his spare time, John can be found in the cockpit or the workshop, pursuing his passions for flying and restoring antiques.

Chrisshell Walters

Chrisshel Walters joined the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees in 2025, bringing with her more than four decades of deep roots in the community through family, faith, and friendship. A retired nurse, Chrisshel understands firsthand the vital role a local hospital plays in the lives of the people it serves. She is motivated by a strong sense of civic responsibility and a genuine desire to support the health and well-being of her neighbors. Outside of her board work, Chrisshel enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, knitting, exploring national parks, and spending time with family, especially during the holidays.

Katherine L. White

Katherine White’s connection to Kearny County Hospital runs nearly five decades deep. She began her career at KCH in the summer of 1978, the year the hospital first opened its doors, and has since built an extraordinary nursing career spanning med/surg, OB, emergency care, long-term care, wound care, hospice, home health, and school nursing. A Lakin High School graduate, Katherine married into a family with deep roots in Kearny County and has raised her family here. She serves as a trustee out of a profound sense of gratitude and commitment, to honor the care this community gave her family and to ensure that same care is available for generations to come.

Gwen Waechter

Associate

Gwen Waechter joined the Kearny County Hospital Board of Trustees as an Associate Member in 2026, bringing more than 30 years of community ties and a professional background as a Shelter Insurance Agent. She came to the board with a genuine investment in the future of Kearny County, believing that a strong local hospital is essential to the long-term health of the community she calls home. Outside of her board involvement, Gwen is an outdoors enthusiast who enjoys working in the yard, traveling, and spending time with her family.