photo by: LMH Health/Contributed Photos

LMH Health has recently welcomed several new physicians. In the top row, from left, are Dr. Scarlett Aldrich, Dr. Kaitlin Ditch, Dr. Tyler Goetz and Dr. Andrew Humpert. In the bottom row, from left, are Dr. James Huston, Dr. Colleen Mathis, Dr. Andrew Meyer and Dr. Blake Phipps.

Keeping health care strong at the local level is a primary focus for LMH Health. Central to that goal is the recruitment of outstanding physicians and health care providers to serve the community’s medical needs well into the future.

“We need to make sure that we’re recruiting physicians into this community so that we can provide the broadest scope of services possible,” said LMH Health President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Johnson.

LMH is actively engaged in monitoring the number of physicians and advanced practice providers serving the community and works closely with hospital-employed and private physician practices to assist with recruiting efforts.

Dr. Sherri Vaughn, a family practice physician at Total Family Care, has coordinated physician recruitment activities at LMH Health for many years. Vaughn said the competition for top physician candidates, especially in the area of primary care, is intense across the country.

“We are so fortunate to have such exceptional physicians choosing to practice in Lawrence,” she said.

Johnson said that at least 30 physicians have joined the LMH medical staff in the last 12 months.

“A significant majority are new to our community,” Johnson said. “That means improved access, convenience and services to Lawrence, Douglas County and regions around us, and that’s really central to our strategic plan goal of provider engagement.”

LMH Health invites the community to join in welcoming these new providers, who are focused on serving the health and wellness needs of area residents. Additional physicians and advanced practice providers will be introduced next week.

Scarlett Aldrich, M.D. — Aldrich, a Kansas City native, has joined Plastic Surgery Specialists of Lawrence. Aldrich earned a bachelor of arts degree in human biology with a concentration in psychology from the University of Kansas. She completed both her medical degree and residency training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

Kaitlin Ditch, M.D. — Ditch has joined Lawrence Endocrinology. Ditch received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Washburn University in Topeka. She earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, where she completed her residency in internal medicine. She completed a fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Utah.

Tyler Goetz, M.D. — Goetz has joined Lawrence Anaesthesia. Goetz earned his bachelor’s degree from Washburn University in Topeka. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Goetz completed his residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Andrew Humpert, M.D. — Humpert joined Lawrence Hospitalist Physicians in July. Humpert completed his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. He completed a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency in Dayton, Ohio. For the past several years, Humpert has been on staff at Salina Regional Health Center and Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita.

James Huston, M.D. — Huston has joined OrthoKansas. After graduating from Lawrence High School, Huston earned his bachelor’s degree in human biology from the University of Kansas and his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Huston completed his residency at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania and an orthopedic adult reconstruction fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine.

Colleen Mathis, M.D. — Mathis has joined the LMH Pediatric Hospitalists Group. A native of Kansas City, Mathis earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Drury University in Springfield, Mo. She received her medical degree from the St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Andrew Meyer, D.O. — Meyer joined the LMH Oncology/Hematology Center in May and sees patients in Lawrence and Ottawa. Meyer is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Arizona in Tucson and a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a hematology/oncology fellowship at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. Before beginning work at LMH, Meyer worked in Topeka.

Blake Phipps, M.D. — Phipps has joined Lawrence Family Practice Center. Phipps earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas. After he received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Phipps completed his residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. This residency program included an additional maternal-child health fellowship, where Phipps served as chief fellow. He is board certified in family medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Phipps will practice family medicine with obstetrics.

For more information about these or any other providers on the medical staff, visit the LMH website at lmh.org/providers.

— Janice Early is vice president of marketing and communications at LMH Health, which is a major sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World’s Health section. She can be reached at janice.early@lmh.org.