Leadership

Since January 2023, Jeremy Clingenpeel has been the CEO of Cheyenne County Hospital (CCH) in Saint Francis, Kansas. He moved back to Western Kansas from Broken Bow Nebraska where he’s served as the President and CEO of Melham Medical Center (Critical Access Hospital). Jeremy comes to CCH with over 20 years of healthcare experience in rural hospitals, working in Human Resources, Finance and CEO. He attributes his recruitment success of rural physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and leaders - to his HR experience and passion for working with people and credits the success of his high performing teams to the relationships that have been built through nurture, respect, and trust. His finance background and experience working in the critical access hospital arena has deepened his understanding of cost-based reimbursement which has helped him to become competitive and forward thinking in an industry with tough regulatory demands and minimal financial margins. 

Jeremy also loves giving back to the community. He works on the ground level and understands the importance of rural community projects and committees. This passion along with the relationships he’s built with his teams have motivated the members he’s worked with to become actively involved volunteers and board members in outside organizations including the SW Kansas Regional Trauma Council, Kansas Health Service Corporation, and Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma. A few areas Jeremy has focused his local volunteer time and community service are the local Rotary and Lions Clubs, Local Wildlife Board, Switch Youth and Family Center, Chamber of Commerce, Relay for Life, (Local Emergency Planning Committee) LEPC, Economic Development, and the recreation commission.

Education

• MS (Health Care Administration), Oklahoma State University, 2011
• BBA (Finance), University of Oklahoma, 2002
• AS (Business Administration), Northern Oklahoma College, 2000

Heidi Tice is the Chief Financial Officer at Cheyenne County Hospital. Starting as the Business Office Manager and moving to the CFO role, Heidi has been a part of the hospital for over 27 years, and during that time, deeply values the impact a strong, community-focused hospital can have on the lives of the people it serves.

Heidi graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Following college, she and her husband moved to the city, where she gained valuable knowledge and experience in various financial roles. After spending a few years in the city, they decided they wanted to be back in a small town and moved to Heidi’s hometown. Heidi built her career right here – growing alongside the hospital and taking on new challenges as our community’s healthcare needs have evolved. 

Today, Heidi works ensure the hospital stays financially strong to continue providing care to patients, as well as supporting our staff. Outside of work, Heidi enjoys spending time with her family and being a part of the community, she was raised in.

Aubrey Winegarner serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kansas. With more than 30 years of healthcare experience, she is a dedicated nurse leader committed to advancing rural healthcare, developing strong teams, and delivering exceptional, patient-centered care. Known for her approachable leadership style and commitment to her teams, Aubrey believes great care starts with empowered caregivers and a shared dedication to patients and community.

A Kansas native, Aubrey takes pride in serving the same kind of close-knit communities that shaped her values and career. She holds a Master of Healthcare Leadership from Friends University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. Over the years, she has led nursing teams across emergency, acute, and critical access settings, always focused on improving outcomes, mentoring future leaders, and creating an environment where both patients and staff can thrive.

Aubrey is an active member of the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders. Through these professional affiliations, she continues to advocate for excellence in nursing practice and leadership development.

Outside the hospital, Aubrey enjoys time at home with her husband, their three dogs, and one very independent cat. She’s a proud mom and grandma who values family, community, and the strong relationships that connect people both inside and beyond the hospital walls.