Kenny Rounkles knows a thing or two about traveling for work. Living in Gardner, Kansas, a small town just southwest of the Kansas City metropolitan area, doesn’t provide many opportunities for an MRI technologist to work close to home.

A western Kansas native, Rounkles earned his radiology degree from Fort Hays State University. He began his career in imaging at Salina Regional Health Center and then shifted gears to work at HaysMed, then part of the University of Kansas Health System. When he decided to move to Gardner, Rounkles began working overnight on the weekend at a health system in downtown Kansas City, which meant a 30-minute commute to and from work.

“There just isn’t an opportunity for me to work in Gardner. Commuting is part of my daily routine, and fortunately, I don’t mind to drive,” he said.

Rounkles and his wife married in 2021 and welcomed a baby girl to their growing family. That meant that he was ready to find a position where he could work the day shift and spend more time with his family. LMH Health provided the perfect opportunity.

“The drive is about the same and I get to work the shift I was looking for at a community hospital,” he said. “You get to see everyone you work with every day. Having been at both small and large facilities, working at LMH Health allows you to really get into the flow.”

Coming full circle

Kayla Jobbins grew up in a small town north of Lawrence and remembers going to LMH as a child.

“I was a patient at LMH and my aunt worked here,” she said. “I remember coming in and thinking that someday I couldn’t wait to work here too.”

Jobbins earned a bachelor’s degree in medical diagnostic imaging from Fort Hays State University, where she was in the same radiology class as Rounkles. After graduation, she moved to Lee’s Summit and then to Olathe and worked in the Kansas City area for the next two years. She began her third year as a CT tech at LMH Health in January 2023.

“Making the choice to accept the job and commute was easy when I felt that I’d be able to give back and take care of the community I grew up in,” she said.

Jobbins enjoys the commute to and from work. It provides her with a mental break and the opportunity to catch up on podcasts or finish an audiobook.

“LMH is worth the commute to get out of the hustle and bustle of a bigger city and the opportunity to enjoy a community where you’re able to make a more personal connection with patients,” she said.

Why LMH Health?

Rounkles and Jobbins said that being at LMH Health provides a sense of comfort and camaraderie.

“People are always ready to help when you need it. Everyone has your back,” Rounkles said.

“Working for LMH, I’ve experienced a wonderful company culture that provides a flexible work-to-home life balance,” Jobbins said. “I enjoy the teamwork that we have from department to department, as other co-workers are always helping to achieve better patient-first care.”

— Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a major sponsor of the Journal-World’s Health section.