Tribune, Kansas, is gaining a new face in healthcare this summer as Greeley County Health Services welcomes Dawson Gardner, a freshly graduated and board-certified Physician Assistant, to the team. Dawson’s anticipated start-date is August 1. Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Dawson has spent the last few years in Manhattan, completing his education and traveling across the state for clinical rotations in a wide variety of settings.

“Throughout the last year of my schooling, I traveled around and got to experience many different hospitals, clinics, towns, and ways of living,” Dawson said, “I think that this will help me with adapting to how I want to practice and for learning and growing as much as I can.”

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From an early age, Dawson felt a natural pull toward the medical field, and becoming a PA seemed like the ideal fit for his strengths and goals. His interest in rural medicine, in particular, stems from both the unique challenges and the opportunity to serve close-knit communities.

“Rural medicine presents different ways of thinking, and I’m excited about the chance to grow my knowledge and skills while also becoming part of a great community,” Dawson said.

That sense of community is what ultimately drew him to Tribune. After visiting and getting to meet staff and residents, he knew he’d found the right place to begin his professional career.

“It was apparent from my very first visit that everyone loved the town and wanted to make it the best it could be,” he said, “It helped make the decision easy. I know I’ll have strong support and a great community to serve.”

In his first few years, Dawson hopes to grow as a provider, build meaningful connections with his patients, and find his place both in the clinic and in the community. He’s also looking forward to exploring all that Tribune has to offer.

“Everyone was extremely nice and helpful when I was in town. It seems like a great place to live and work, and I’m excited to be a part of it all,” he said.

When he’s not caring for patients, Dawson enjoys cheering on K-State sports, spending time outdoors, cooking, fishing, reading, camping, and playing yard games. Now that he’s wrapped up school, he’s also looking forward to diving into new hobbies like woodworking and 3D printing.

To his future patients and neighbors, Dawson shared this message:

“I will work hard to give the best care possible to all my patients. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and serving this community in the best ways I know how.”

Dawson will begin serving patients this Fall in Greeley and Wallace County Clinics as well as assisting in the Emergency Room.