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 & CLINICAL STAFF
Sarah Martinez, APRN
Sarah has been in healthcare since 2007. She earned her BSN from Wichita State University and later completed her MSN at Maryville University. She is dual-boarded and has worked as a Nurse Practitioner since 2017, gaining experience across various settings and specialties.
From a young age, Sarah felt called to a career in healthcare. Her transition from inpatient to outpatient care highlighted for her the significant gaps, barriers, and communication challenges in patient care. Joining Kansas Care Connect is especially meaningful to her, as she believes this service is something the community has long awaited. She is passionate about advocating for patients, ensuring they receive the care they deserve, and empowering them to take an active role in managing their health.
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.
Melissa Meyer, RN
Melissa has been a nurse since 2015, specializing in critical care. As an ICU nurse, she understands the importance of equipping patients with the tools they need to manage their health at home, helping them avoid complications that can lead to hospitalization. Melissa is deeply passionate about advocating for her patients and tailoring care to meet their unique needs and preferences.
Outside of work, Melissa is a busy wife and mother of four. She enjoys traveling, music, and quality time with her family.
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.
Bobby Cummings, MICT Clinical Staff, Medical Records
Bobby has dedicated nearly 16 years to healthcare. After high school, she earned a scholarship to play soccer and completed her Associate Degree in Science at Butler Community College. She then obtained her CNA certification at Wichita Technical Institute and began her career at St. Francis Hospital. Driven to expand her skills, she earned her EMT certification at Cowley Community College, along with her Associate Degree in Applied Science and Kansas/National MICT-Paramedic certification.
As a paramedic, Bobby spent 7 years on the ambulance serving the citizens of Sedgwick County and then took on a pioneering role as one of the founding paramedics in the ER at Wesley Medical Center, where she worked for 4 years.
Her journey to Kansas Care Connect (KCC) has a special personal connection. When her beloved grandmother faced significant heart issues, Bobby saw firsthand the care and advocacy provided by KCC through her former classmate, Rachael Rivero, and her team. Inspired by the compassion and support they offered during a difficult time, Bobby joined KCC—a decision that felt like a true family affair. She couldn’t be happier to be part of such a dedicated team.
Alice Thornton Bell, APRN/CNS
Alice brings extensive experience in complex and diverse
service delivery organizations. Her clinical specialty is the adult/geriatric population with a subspecialty in palliative care.
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.