Meet Our Team
Rachael Rivero, APRN, Owner
Rachael has worked in healthcare since 2007, bringing a wide range of experience across various settings. She earned her BSN from Newman University and her MSN from Wichita State University. After working as an ICU nurse, she became a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in 2014 and spent a decade working alongside Dr. Chloe Steinshouer in pulmonary, sleep, and critical care medicine. Rachael is well-known in the Wichita medical community and has strong connections with many local providers.
Her goal for Kansas Care Connect is to provide personalized, thorough care to patients while addressing gaps in healthcare services within the local community.
Outside of work, Rachael and her husband are busy parents to four children and two dogs. They enjoy attending their kids’ activities, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Regan Carranza, Business Manager
Regan graduated from Hutchinson Community College with a degree in Health Information Management and also holds a certificate in medical coding.
CARE MANAGERS
Courtney Stiffey, RN
Courtney has been a dedicated healthcare professional since 2010, gaining experience across multiple care settings, including long-term care, pre-op, and critical care. For the past decade, she has specialized as an ICU nurse.
Courtney is passionate about preventive care and values the connections she builds with her patients, striving to make a positive impact on their health and well-being.
Sonya Werth-Sackett, RN
Sonya has been a dedicated nurse since 1989, developing a broad skill set across various specialties, including Pediatric Intensive Care, IT Nursing, and Infusion Nursing.
Throughout her extensive career, Sonya has remained committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care. She is a strong advocate for her patients, working tirelessly to enhance their quality of life and improve health outcomes.
Kelsi Clark, RN
Kelsi brings 16 years of experience in healthcare, with the last 8 years focused exclusively on critical care. She is deeply passionate about making a difference, even in the smallest ways, and takes great pride in her role as an advocate for her patients.
Outside of work, Kelsi is a devoted wife and mother of five. She enjoys spending simple, quality time with her family, as well as reading, cooking, baking, and indulging her love for hair and makeup.
Linda Whiteman, RN
Linda brings a wealth of experience in Med-Surg and private duty nursing, including hospice care. Her background also includes time as a 911 dispatcher, which honed her ability to stay calm under pressure and respond swiftly to critical situations.
Naturally a caretaker, Linda has always been the one her family turns to for support, and she brings that same compassion and dedication to her patients. She loves building relationships and getting to know the people she cares for, ensuring they feel heard and supported.
Outside of work, Linda enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading. She is also deeply involved in her community, leading a small group at her church, where she finds joy in connecting with others and offering guidance.
Denise Cocking, RN
Denise is a dedicated healthcare professional with a strong background in critical care. She began her career in 2017 as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Patient Care Technician in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Wesley, where she quickly developed a passion for patient care. Her dedication led her to further her education, earning her nursing degree from Butler County Community College in December 2022.
Denise has spent her career specializing in critical care, where she excels at forming meaningful connections with patients and their families. She is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care, ensuring that her patients feel supported during some of their most challenging moments.
Outside of healthcare, Denise is a devoted wife and mother with a passion for creativity. She has been a hairdresser for 18 years and co-owns a small salon with her husband. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her three fur babies. Denise is deeply committed to helping others feel their best—both inside and out.
Consultants
Nathan Engels, Health Coach
Coach Nate is thrilled to serve as our resident Health Coach.
Nathan holds a master’s degree in Gerontology and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He is both a Medical and Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, a Functional Aging Specialist through the Functional Aging Institute, and a Fitness Nutrition Specialist certified by the American Council on Exercise. Since 2016, he has also been credentialed as a Health Coach through the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.
Nate was honored with the Wichita Business Journal's Excellence in Healthcare award in 2023 and is part of their Emerging Leaders class of 2023. Locally, he’s known as the “Aging Whisperer” and “Bringer of Joy.”
CJ Wilson, Pharmacist
CJ earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 2020. He then completed a two-year Pharmacy Practice Residency at Wesley Medical Center and is now a Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist.
CJ believes that optimizing care starts with the right medication regimen, and he is dedicated to ensuring that your medications work effectively for you.