Apr 22, 2026

Chadron State College Health Professions Students Honored

Posted Apr 22, 2026 4:02 PM

By Tena L. Cook, Marketing Coordinator, CSC

Chadron State College students advancing to UNMC in Dentistry pose at the Health Professions Club's Annual Banquet April 10, 2026, at the Assumption Arena. From left, Cora Payne of Utica, Neb., Carlie Schneider of Alliance, Neb., Shaylee Thomsen of Ord, Neb. and Emma Carfield of Trenton, Neb. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)
Chadron State College students advancing to UNMC in Dentistry pose at the Health Professions Club's Annual Banquet April 10, 2026, at the Assumption Arena. From left, Cora Payne of Utica, Neb., Carlie Schneider of Alliance, Neb., Shaylee Thomsen of Ord, Neb. and Emma Carfield of Trenton, Neb. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)

CHADRON, Neb. – The Chadron State College Health Professions Club hosted its annual banquet April 10. Students advancing to professional school were honored, as well as outgoing and incoming officers of the Health Professions Club.

The keynote speaker was CSC alum Dr. Danny Hanlon, a dentist in Imperial, Nebraska. He has received the American Association of Oral Pathology Clinical Excellence Award. Hanlon and his wife, Kaylee, grew up in Crawford, Nebraska. He was a member of the CSC football team and graduated summa cum laude. He worked at ProSmiles Dental Lab before attending the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and graduated with High Distinction. While attending UNMC, he received the American Association of Oral Pathology Clinical Excellence Award, Outstanding Oral Biologist Award and Dean’s List Honors.

An online photo gallery is available.

Dentistry

Taya Berry of Lexington, Neb., UNMC

Dylan Thom of Ayr, Neb., UNMC

Dental Hygiene

Kylee Simon of Burwell, Neb., UNMC

Nursing

Emma Carfield of Trenton, Neb., UNMC

Shaylee Thomsen of Ord, Neb., UNMC

Carlie Schneider of Alliance, Neb., UNMC

Cora Payne of Utica, Neb., UNMC

Occupational Therapy

Ella Jaixen of Loup City, Neb.

Physical Therapy

Nikki Walla of Wahoo, Neb., University of St. Mary

Paige Pritchard of Lincoln, UNMC

Christina Lillenas of Lincoln, UNMC

Annika Lee of Lacey, Wash., University of Puget Sound

Physician Assistant

Ashleigh Ohrt of York, Neb., UNMC

Chesney Anderson of Trenton, Neb.

Brenner McLaughlin of Hebron, Neb., UNMC

Preston Pearson of Kearney, Neb., UNMC

Radiography

Brandon Kollars of Norfolk, Neb., UNMC

Wrylee Osterhaus of Blair, Neb., UNMC

Respiratory Therapy

Samara Ruether of Beaver Crossing, Neb., Nebraska Methodist College

Hattie Baldwin of Pierre, S.D., Nebraska Methodist College

Veterinary Medicine

Kiauna Hargens of Parkston, S.D., South Dakota State University or University of Minnesota

Aubree Heinsma of Windsor, Colo., Colorado State University

Shania Wear of Gothenburg, Neb., UNL

Samantha Johns of Chadron, UNL or Iowa State University

Master’s Program

Lorien DeMasters of Sidney, Neb.

2026-2027 Officers

President: Jayna Moses of Amelia, Neb.

Vice President: Hailey Rademacher of Loup City, Neb.

Secretary: Eva McConnell of Hershey, Neb.

Treasurer: Weston Ohrt of Henderson, Neb.

Social Media Coordinator: Piper Craig of Norfolk, Neb.

CAB Rep: Keelan Phillips of Aurora, Neb.