Meet the Team!
Topeka Clinic
Rhonda Hale, RN-CGN — Director-Topeka
Rhonda is the Director of our Topeka location and brings an incredible mix of expertise, encouragement, and energy to the Merit team. As a Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (with ACLS and CPR certifications to boot!), she’s no stranger to healthcare—but it’s her personal weight loss journey that truly fuels her passion. Rhonda loves being part of a team that radiates positivity and thrives on helping others feel their best. Married to her husband Corey for 20 years, she’s a proud mom to two daughters—Callie and Tanley. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys crafting, working out, and wrangling life as one of six sisters. Hidden talents? She says she doesn’t have any—but we think juggling all that definitely counts.
Hannah Lauer APRN, FNP-C
Hannah is a nurse practitioner at Merit Topeka known for her upbeat energy, eye for detail, and ability to keep patients motivated (and laughing). She’s all about sending people out the door with a plan—and confidence to match. Hannah grew up in St. Mary’s, KS, and now lives in Topeka with her husband Casey and their three kids (one son, two daughters). A true sports fan, she cheers loudly for KSU, the Chiefs, the Royals, and her kids’ teams. When she’s not decorating or hunting down the best deals in town, she’s likely showing off her impressively crooked right arm (yes, it's a thing—we have quite the collection of unique limbs at Merit!).
Julie Edwards, APRN, FNP-C
Julie is a nurse practitioner at Merit Topeka with a passion for helping others make peace with food and their bodies. Born and raised in Topeka, she played college soccer in Nebraska before starting a family with her husband, Jordan. They now have three energetic sons under the age of five (send coffee). Julie brings warmth, empathy, and a sense of humor to every appointment—because if you’re not having a little fun, what’s the point? In her rare free moments, she loves relaxing with reality TV (“trash” TV if you ask her). Fun fact: she can touch her elbows behind her back—and yes, you’re definitely trying that now.
Kaetlynn Phillips, APRN, FNP-C
Kaetlynn is a nurse practitioner at Merit Topeka with a calming presence, a wealth of knowledge, and elbows that bend in ways most of us can’t explain (double-jointed, in case you were wondering!). She also brings a strong background in medical aesthetics—including Botox—which adds even more depth to her ability to help clients look and feel their best. As the daughter of an active-duty Airman, Kaetlynn spent her childhood living all over the world, moving every 2–3 years. Her favorite stop? Japan—hands down. These global adventures shaped her love of people, culture, and adaptability (a true gift in healthcare!). Kaetlynn is married to her husband Austin, and they have three beautiful kids—one daughter and two sons. When she’s not at Merit, you’ll find her outside soaking up fresh air or sneaking away for a spontaneous family trip.
Nickie McCall - Lead Office Medical Assistant
Nickie is the heartbeat of our Topeka office. With over 15 years of experience in endocrinology, she keeps the team organized and patients informed, encouraged, and on track. A Topeka native, Nickie lives with her husband Darren, two grown daughters (Hannah and Sydney), and a lively crew of pets—two dogs and a cat. She’s big on fresh starts (New Year’s Day is her favorite holiday!), loves camping with her twin sister, and is forever trying to keep houseplants alive. Her energy and warmth help make every visit a great one.
Elizabeth McCune - Office Medical Assistant
Elizabeth is one of the friendly faces behind our front desk—and if you’ve weighed in with us recently, you’ve likely been greeted by her kind smile. Her favorite part of the job is celebrating each client’s progress and seeing them grow in confidence. Elizabeth grew up in Topeka, spent 28 years in sunny California, then returned home to be closer to family. She lives with her husband Joe, and together they have four children and eight grandkids. Oh, and she’s been a surrogate mom eight times (we know… WOW). When she’s not at Merit, she’s crafting up something amazing.
Megan Wangerin - Office Medical Assistant
Megan is a medical assistant at Merit who brings warmth, positivity, and heart into everything she does. Megan loves being part of such a welcoming, kind team (and may or may not mention that the office always smells amazing). She’s passionate about helping clients improve their health and wellness because she’s experienced firsthand how life-changing it can be, and she loves guiding others as they work toward their goals. Outside of the clinic, Megan stays busy reading when she can, playing softball, and cheering on her kids at all their activities. She lives with her husband, Clay, their four kids, and two very large dogs who keep life entertaining. Fun fact: Megan once danced at halftime at the Orange Bowl in high school—and yes, she does have a slightly gross hidden talent she’ll only admit to if you ask. 😉
Jamie Lane, Office Assistant
Jamie is another one of the friendly faces you’ll meet at the front desk—and if patience were a sport, she’d be an Olympic gold medalist. Jamie earned her Associate of Arts in Office Administration (with a legal cert!) from Washburn University. She and her husband Larry have been married for nearly 33 years, live in Topeka, and are proud dog parents to Roxy the chocolate lab. Jamie loves exploring the trails and mountain passes of Colorado in their Jeep Rubicon—on a mission to collect all the Jeep “Badges of Honor.” Her daily fitness routine includes walking Roxy and working out, and fun fact: Jamie can whistle really loud with her fingers. Like, really loud.
Kansas City Clinic
Becky Bowen RN, MSN — Director-Kansas City
Becky is the Director of our Leawood location and a powerhouse of both heart and hustle. A registered nurse with a Master’s in Business Administration and a Certified Nutrition Coach, she brings the perfect blend of clinical knowledge and real-life strategy to the Merit team. Originally from Topeka, Becky now lives in Prairie Village with her husband Jon and their two boys—with baby boy #3 on the way! Becky loves helping clients transform not just their health, but their energy, confidence, and joy. When she’s not at Merit, you’ll find her outdoors, in the kitchen, or turning the living room into an epic adventure zone (couch forts included). Oh—and if you think you’re seeing double, you’re not wrong. Becky has a twin sister who also works at Merit… but we’ll let you figure out who’s who.
Amanda Duarte, APRN, FNP-C
Amanda is a nurse practitioner and Merit’s hormone specialists. She is located at Merit Leawood and has a passion for wellness, real-life results, and making her patients feel supported every step of the way. She earned her BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University and her MSN from Rockhurst University, and holds certifications in cosmetic and migraine Botox. Amanda loves being part of a team that truly cares, and brings her own relatable perspective—because she’s on a wellness journey too. She lives in Leawood with her husband Nick and their two daughters, Eden and Maeven. In her free time, you’ll find her reading, walking, or showing off her hidden talent: playing the piano. Fun fact: Amanda got married on New Year’s Eve… talk about starting the year with fireworks!
Ashley Butler, APRN, FNP-C
Ashley is a nurse practitioner at Merit Leawood and living proof that strong is beautiful. She holds her MSN and is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, blending clinical expertise with an authentic passion for helping clients feel their absolute best. Ashley was drawn to Merit because of the energetic, knowledgeable team—and her own experience with weight struggles made her deeply empathetic to the journey. She's especially passionate about helping clients break through plateaus, ditch medications, and feel stronger, healthier, and more confident. Outside the clinic, Ashley is a competitive powerlifter and strongwoman (seriously—she’s competed at Nationals and Worlds!), a devoted dog mom to German Shepherds Salvy and Maverick, and is expecting her first baby with her husband, Trent—her high school sweetheart of 21 years. Fun fact: her deadlift max is 408 lbs. (We asked her to carry the office fridge… she didn’t even flinch.)
Tatum Heckman - RN
Tatum brings a warm, steady presence that instantly makes patients feel at ease. She joined Merit because she loves the heart of small businesses — the personal, family-like atmosphere where patients feel truly seen and supported. Building real relationships is her favorite part of the job, and she loves watching people grow healthier, more confident, and more empowered with each visit. Outside of work, Tatum enjoys watching musicals, spending time with her dog and cat, and relaxing at home with her husband. She also has a fun hidden talent: she used to be a nail tech, so she can still give a flawless manicure. Fun fact: Tatum got married in Greece… talk about a dream wedding backdrop.
Sami Mitchell – Aesthetician & Office Assistant
Sami is the friendly, welcoming face you’ll see as soon as you arrive at Merit — and the talented aesthetician behind some of our most loved skin treatments. She brings a calming, uplifting energy to the clinic, helping patients feel comfortable from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave glowing. As an aesthetician, Sami specializes in delivering relaxing, results-driven facials along with expertly performed chemical peels. She loves helping patients feel confident in their skin and creating customized experiences that blend education, care, and a little bit of luxury.Outside of work, she crochets, rides her motorcycle, and plays the clarinet (she went to college for music performance!). She lives with her two goofy cats and has one unforgettable party trick: she can move her eyes independently. Trust us—it’s wild.