About Kansas Care Connect
Our Mission
Kansas Care Connect exists to bridge gaps in healthcare by providing ongoing care management, support, and planning services that help patients stay engaged, informed, and supported.
Who We Are
We are a Kansas-based healthcare organization focused on long-term support, not episodic care.
Our interdisciplinary team includes:
Nurse practitioners
Registered nurses
Pharmacists
Health Coaches
Together, we help patients navigate complex health systems while strengthening collaboration with providers and community resources.
What We Are NOT
Kansas Care Connect is NOT:
A traditional primary care clinic or replacement for a primary care provider
An urgent care or walk-in clinic
A home health provider
Any limited clinical services provided are supportive, temporary, and available only to enrolled care management patients.
Meet Our Team
Rachael Rivero, APRN, Owner
Rachael is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with over 18 years of experience in healthcare across acute, specialty, and community-based settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Newman University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University. Before founding Kansas Care Connect, Rachael spent a decade working in pulmonary, sleep, and critical care medicine, where she developed a deep understanding of the complexities patients face when managing chronic illness.
Throughout her career, Rachael has been passionate about bridging gaps in care, improving communication between providers, and advocating for patients navigating fragmented healthcare systems. These experiences led her to create KCC and later expand her vision into ChronicWELL—an evolving initiative focused on transforming how individuals living with chronic conditions are supported, educated, and empowered.
Rachael is an active member of the Sedgwick County Advisory Council for the Department of Aging and Physical Disabilities, where she contributes to discussions and initiatives aimed at improving services, access, and outcomes for older adults and individuals with disabilities in the community. In addition to her clinical and leadership roles, Rachael is deeply committed to ongoing education and advocacy. She regularly writes articles, speaks at and attends healthcare and community events, and provides guest lectures to students pursuing careers in healthcare. Her work is driven by a belief that education, connection, and compassionate systems change are key to improving outcomes for those living with chronic illness.
Rachael’s mission continues to evolve, but her focus remains the same: creating meaningful, practical solutions that help people not just live longer, but live better with chronic conditions.
Regan Carranza, Business Manager
Regan graduated from Hutchinson Community College with a degree in Health Information Management and holds a certification in medical coding. Her passion for organization, accuracy, and patient support makes her an essential part of the Kansas Care Connect team.
Before joining KCC, Regan gained hands-on caregiving experience as both a nanny and CNA, which helped shape her desire to work in healthcare in a meaningful way. She was excited to join KCC as part of the foundational team and bring her healthcare knowledge and people-first mindset to a growing, patient-focused organization.
Regan is married with a young son and values the flexibility that KCC offers—especially since her husband’s role as a collegiate soccer coach keeps their family on the move. Whether managing records or supporting the team behind the scenes, Regan brings consistency, care, and a calm presence to everything she does.
APRN Care Managers
Sarah Martinez, APRN
Sarah has been in the healthcare field since 2007 and brings a broad range of experience across multiple care settings. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University and later obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University. Sarah is dual board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and has been practicing as a board-certified Nurse Practitioner since 2017.
From a young age, Sarah knew she was called to work in healthcare. After transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care, she became acutely aware of the gaps, barriers, and communication challenges patients often face. She is excited to be part of Kansas Care Connect, which she believes is a much-needed service for the community. This role allows her to focus her passion on advocating for patients, ensuring they receive the care they deserve, and empowering them to actively participate in managing their health.
Andrea Wise, APRN
Andrea is a dedicated nurse practitioner with nearly a decade of experience providing comprehensive, integrated care across hospital and clinical settings. She brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to every interaction.
Outside of work, Andrea enjoys life in El Dorado with her husband and daughter. She has a love for the theater and travel, and finds joy in exploring new places and cultures.
Andrea is excited to bring her clinical expertise and warm personality to the Kansas Care Connect team.
RN 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.
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.
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.
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.
Stephanie Huls, RN
Stephanie brings a strong surgical background to Kansas Care Connect, with years of experience in the operating room, pre-op care, and as a nurse liaison. Her ability to guide patients and families through complex medical processes with compassion and clarity has been a hallmark of her career.
Looking for a change that better fit her busy life at home with two active boys, Stephanie joined KCC excited to make a meaningful impact in a new setting. When she’s not caring for patients, you’ll likely find her at the baseball field cheering on her sons.
Stephanie is passionate about providing thoughtful, supportive care and is proud to be part of a team dedicated to improving the lives of patients and families in our community.
Ashley Herman, RN
Ashley is a dedicated nurse with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, beginning her career in patient care roles and advancing into nursing leadership and complex clinical settings.
Ashley has spent much of her nursing career at Via Christi Medical Center, where she has served on a busy medical-surgical unit and as a charge nurse, providing high-quality patient care while supporting and guiding nursing staff. Her clinical background includes strong experience in acute care, patient education, medication management, and critical thinking in high-pressure situations. She is recognized for her calm, compassionate approach to patient and family care.
In recent years, Ashley has expanded her work into hospice and home health nursing, where she provides on-call support, conducts in-home assessments, and helps patients and families navigate complex medical and end-of-life decisions with empathy and clarity. She is passionate about patient advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring patients feel informed, supported, and respected throughout their care journey.
Ashley brings a strong foundation in both hospital-based and community care to the Kansas Care Connect team and is excited to be part of a model that prioritizes continuity, communication, and whole-person care for patients.
Kelsi Clark, RN
Kelsi brings over 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.
Office Support
Darryl Whiteman, Operations Support
Darryl is the behind-the-scenes go-to guy who keeps things running smoothly at Kansas Care Connect. With a long and accomplished career in mechanical engineering, Darryl is now enjoying retirement — but not quite ready to slow down. He generously lends his time and expertise to help with everything from fixing equipment to organizing office logistics and supporting the team however he’s needed.
Lovingly nicknamed our “Office Dad,” Darryl brings a calming presence, a great sense of humor, and a can-do attitude that makes a big difference in our day-to-day operations. Whether he’s hanging whiteboards or troubleshooting tech, Darryl is a vital part of the KCC crew.
Piper Wise, Office Assistant
Piper is a student at Butler Community College, where she is pursuing a degree in education. She brings energy and creativity to the team while balancing her academic and extracurricular commitments. Piper is an accomplished dancer and a member of the Butler Headliners.
At KCC, she supports daily office operations by assisting with administrative tasks, running errands, helping with social media content, and providing general support to our care management team.
Piper enjoys staying busy and takes pride in helping things run smoothly behind the scenes. She is excited to gain real-world experience in a healthcare setting while contributing to a team that values collaboration, flexibility, and community impact.
Nicole Whiteman, Operations Consultant
Nicole Whiteman is an experienced human resources leader with a strong background in organizational operations, employee engagement, and strategic development. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from Wichita State University and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
Throughout her career, Nicole has served in multiple leadership roles, including HR Director and Manager, where she specialized in performance management, compensation, benefits administration, and conflict resolution. With nearly a decade at Professional Engineering Consultants and her most recent work directing people services, she brings a wealth of expertise in optimizing processes and fostering high-performing teams.
As a contractor through NRW Consulting LLC, Nicole supports Kansas Care Connect by streamlining operations, strengthening administrative systems, and helping position the organization for growth. Her strategic approach and passion for empowering teams make her an invaluable asset as KCC continues to expand its impact on senior healthcare.
Contracted Providers
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.
Nathan Engels, 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.”
Carmel Poor, LSCSW
Carmel is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. She brings a deep understanding of behavioral health, recovery-oriented care, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches to her work.
As the contracted clinical supervisor for our PeerLink program, Carmel provides guidance, oversight, and support to ensure high-quality, ethical, and person-centered peer services. She is passionate about fostering compassionate, nonjudgmental care environments and values authenticity, connection, and appropriate use of humor as tools for healing and engagement.
Carmel’s experience and thoughtful approach make her a valued part of the PeerLink leadership team, helping ensure the program delivers meaningful, safe, and effective support for participants.