Our Providers

Dr. Jose Garcia, Sr. is a primary care medical provider at Dundy County Hospital and Quality Healthcare Clinic in Benkelman, NE specializing in family practice medicine.

 Due to specializing in family medicine, he is skilled at diagnosing many conditions in all ages of patients. Dr. Garcia works with his patients to find treatment plans for acute and chronic illnesses. He can also perform

preventative screenings and coordinate your care with specialists as needed.

Due to the shortage of medical providers in rural areas, he feels he can do the most in a rural health setting like at Dundy County Hospital. Compared to traditional practices, Dr. Garcia feels he has more time to get to know his patients on a personal level, delve into their personal and family medical history to effectively develop health goals and focus on preventing diseases. Dr. Jose Garcia,

Sr. is proficient in both English and Spanish, giving him the ability to communicate well with all people in our rural communities.

Dr. Jose Garcia, Sr. obtained his medical degree in 1997 from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He did a program rotation at the Texas Tech Health Center in Odessa, TX. Dr. Garcia began

working at Dundy County Hospital in November 2012.

Not many people are aware of what the initials D.O. stands for behind Dr. Lori Stonehocker’s name. The D. O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. They emphasize treating the

“whole person” and are trained to listen and collaborate with patients to help to keep their patients stay healthy and well.

A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine receives focused training in the musculoskeletal system. This training allows Doctor of Osteopathic to concentrate on the nervous system, muscles, and bones.

Treatments are beneficial for the entire body with manipulations that can ease tension and stress and allow the D.O. to treat a multitude of conditions. D.O.’s is well prepared to treat patients with the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

Dr. Stonehocker graduated in June of 1993 with a degree as a Doctor of Osteopathy from Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa. She completed her internship in June 1994 at

the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, MO. She conducted two more years of Residency at the Family Medicine Residency Program in Topeka, KA. She completed those in June of 1996.

Tammi received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Marty College in 1996. 

She then began working at Dundy County Hospital as a Registered Nurse.  During her 22 years at DCH, she also oversaw the surgery department. 

Her love for caring for people helped her decide to become a part-time transport flight nurse for 2 ½ years. Tammi’s passion for patient care led her to pursue a Master’s in Nursing.  She graduated as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in 2018 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Michelle Koppie, joined the medical team at Dundy County Hospital and Quality Healthcare Clinic in Benkelman, NE.  Michelle has been in the healthcare field for over 20 years.  Michelle started her career as a CNA, soon finding her passion.

While working on her RN degree in college, Michelle obtained phlebotomy certification, allowing her to work as an ER tech at the VA in Shreveport, LA.  She received her master’s in nursing from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA.  She has worked as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse for six years.

Brandy Hanes also joined the medical team at Dundy County Hospital and Quality Healthcare Clinic.  Brandy is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with a specialty in Family Practice.  

Brandy attended Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.  She received her Bachelor of Science in 2003 and her Master of Science in 2007.  Brandy worked as an RN at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Albert Lea, MN.  She started working there from June 2007 to November 2008.  Brandy moved her practice to Imperial NE., in 2008 until recently moving to Dundy County.  She has 15 years of experience and can perform DOT physical.

Christy Freehling is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Professional with over ten years of experience providing therapy services.  Christy and her family moved to Haigler, NE., from Lincoln, NE., to be closer to family.  Christy has worked in various therapeutic settings, including in-home behavioral health services for adolescents and their families, a youth shelter, a social services director for the geriatric population, and a school therapist.  Christy has worked with adolescents or young mothers by providing therapy, education on parenting skills, and outpatient therapy.  Christy collaborates with clients affected by depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma, and relationship challenges from individual, group, and family work.

Christy received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Substance Abuse at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE, and her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling also from Chadron State College. 

Christy’s approach to therapy is client-centered: clients are the experts in their lives and determine the direction and depth of therapy.  Through a strength-based and solution-focused lens, Christy draws on multiple treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths and developing treatment plans that accomplish their goals through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and/or Internal Family Systems (IFS).  Christy assists clients in exploring relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to aid in discovering dysfunctional thought patterns leading to self-destructive behaviors and beliefs.  Christy supports clients through developing skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation to move clients towards a life involving the capacity for experiencing joy and freedom.

Outside of work, Christy enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends. Telehealth services available.