Meet the Team!

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.

Sarah Boast, Office Manager

Sarah is the first smile you’ll see when you walk into Merit Topeka—and we promise, she’ll brighten your day. Originally a client, Sarah loved the atmosphere so much, she joined the team! She and her husband Martin share a blended family of seven kids, two dogs, and a cat (chaos, but the fun kind). Sarah grew up in Topeka and is a proud audiobook connoisseur—yes, listening still counts as reading! Fun fact: Sarah has a bifid uvula (you’re googling it right now, aren’t you?)—only about 2% of people have one!

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.

Let’s work together

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