Family Practice
Meet Our Family Practice Providers
James Steckelberg, M.D.
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2411.
What he finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"The most rewarding aspect of my job is the relationships I have developed. Many of the patients I saw when I started in 2005, I still see today. Every time they are on my schedule I am reminded of all we have gone through, and I feel privileged to be able to walk with them through their health care journey."
What about Syracuse Area Health makes him smile?
"Thinking back on the relationships I have developed. I recently had a patient of many years that is moving out of the state. The last visit I had was very emotional knowing we would most likely never see each other again. Although many tears were shed, it was a moving moment and one that I will always cherish."
Kayla Heidinger, M.D.
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2411 for Syracuse Clinic or 402-267-5330 for the North Campus Clinic.
What she finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is when a patient trusts you enough to open up about a problem that has been bothering them for some time, maybe even years! Sometimes we come up with an ‘easy fix’, and other times all it takes is someone to listen to them to provide relief, and I love being that person for my patients."
What about Syracuse Area Health makes her smile?
"I always smile when I think about how welcoming everyone has been. My coworkers and patients alike have invited me into their communities with (socially-distanced) open arms and (masked) warm smiles!"
Randy Bain, DO, FAAFP
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2411.
What he finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"I chose to become a DO because I identify with the holistic philosophy. I enjoy continuing to learn about how our complicated lives, minds and bodies interact to create dysfunction, and how I can help return a person to balance. Sometimes the benefits are immediate, and sometimes multiple sessions are needed, but OMT is one tool among many I use and am proud to offer. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine, I practice both conventional medicine and OMT and can use both to treat patients of all ages."
What about Syracuse Area Health makes him smile?
"My family and I want a place where we can be part of a community and raise our kids. I grew up in rural Montana and feel most at home in that setting. The area and hospital are very welcoming."
Lindsey Eggers, APRN
To make an appointment, call 402-267-5330 for the North Campus Clinic.
What she finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"I find it rewarding when I see improvements in someone’s quality of life. I love helping people feel better. I really like to partner with my patients in taking charge of their healthcare. If I can, I offer patients multiple solutions to their healthcare concerns and then I really like them to make choices. This is their body; they know it best! I find it rewarding when my patients and I work together to improve or resolve a healthcare concern!"
What about Syracuse Area Health makes her smile?
"So many moments make me smile, it is difficult to choose just one! I get to take care of some really amazing people! My life has been touched by them!"
Molly Skomer, APRN
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2011.
What she finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"I love building relationships and seeing my patients through their healthcare journey. Creating solutions together is so satisfying. I truly believe healthcare is a partnership but the patient is absolutely the driving force. I love to help my patients see their BEST potential and obtain their goals. Celebrating those victories together never gets old!"
What about Syracuse Area Health makes her smile?
"This past year I have met so many wonderful people—some for only minutes, others I’ve built relationships that I hope will last for many years. Being part of this community and helping the wonderful people who live here is so rewarding. It's never hard to come to work when you love what you do and the people you get to see!”
Becca Lechner, APRN
Same day appointments, call 402-269-2411.
What she finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"There are many aspects of patient care that I find rewarding, however the relationships built overtime with my patients and their family have by far been the most rewarding part of my career in healthcare. I strive for building and maintaining a high level of trust and respect with each of my patients through compassionate and exceptional care. Switching gears from chronic care to acute, same-day care has allowed me to become more creative in building relationships with my patients. For example, follow-up phone calls as well as checking up on patients in the hospital have become important aspects in my exceptional care in order to continue to build these relationships with my patients. "
What about Syracuse Area Health makes her smile?
"The culture here at Syracuse Area Health and within the Syracuse community is what makes me smile the most. I love coming to work each morning and receiving countless smiles and “good mornings” before I even reach my office. Working in a small community hospital as we do, work life turns into a second family with the relationships you build. This is the type of community and culture that my husband and I look for when it comes to raising our family."
Heather Noerrlinger, APRN
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2411. for Syracuse Clinic or 402-267-5330. for the North Campus Clinic.
What she finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"I find that the personal connections that I make with patients is the most rewarding. I love having the opportunity to support patients through their healthcare journeys. I enjoy focusing on the wellness aspect of healthcare. I feel that prevention is vital in overall health. Once that connection and rapport with my patient is established, we can then discuss ways to optimize their overall health."
What about Syracuse Area Health makes her smile?
"There are many things about SAH that make me smile. The patients that I get to know, the relationships that I have made here with my work family, and the overall community feel of working here. It is refreshing to work in a place that you love, getting to do what you love. When you walk in the building you know that the employees here truly care about each other and the patients that we serve."
Doug States, MD, ABFM
To make an appointment, call 402-269-2411.
What he finds most rewarding about caring for patients:
"One of my career missions is to serve patients in rural communities in Nebraska. I get a lot of professional satisfaction to provide a high quality of care to rural citizens because I know it saves them a trip to the city and the impersonal nature of a big hospital system. I have the opinion that rural folks really appreciate their physicians much more than the urban patients do. I also like to be involved in patient care at a higher level than what Primary Care physicians in the urban clinics are able to provide."
What about Syracuse Area Health makes him smile?
"Regarding things that make me smile about SAH I would say the staff I have worked with are very nice, kind, down to earth folks like I would expect to find in a small community. The sense of teamwork with the physicians, nurses and staff is evident and makes me smile as well."
