Nicole Swartzendruber to Join JCH&L

Nicole Swartzendruber has known since she was a kid that she wanted a career in some area of health care. By the time she was in high school, she knew being a physician assistant was her goal. In December she will graduate as a physician assistant from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and early in 2025 she will join Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Swartzendruber grew up on a farm outside of Shickley, where her family has a feedlot. She knows that a small town rural area is where she wants to have her career. She wants to help ensure rural residents have access to the quality and compassionate health care they need.

“I have a love for agriculture and community,” she said. “I like to be involved in the community.”

She graduated from Shickley Public Schools and was accepted in to the RHOP (Rural Health Opportunities Program.) She got her bachelor of science form Wayne State College in biology, and is currently in physician assistant school at UNMC. She said she has loved her training to be a physician assistant, and is enjoying her rotations. She said she chose rotations to help her be prepared for and effective in a rural general practice when she graduates. She had one rotation at Jefferson Community Health & Life in November-December 2023. She is especially looking forward to a rotation in Kenya for six weeks in the fall.

Besides her love of health care, during college she has worked in fire and rescue.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family. She is engaged to Brandon Huebner, who works in law enforcement. Her parents, Mark and Donna Swartzendruber, have a feedlot at Shickley. Her sister Megan is married and has two children. Her brother Caleb lives at home. She has her own small cow-calf herd, enjoys recreational sports and enjoys reading.

Jefferson Community Health and Life is happy to welcome her to our team of family medical providers. She will join Dr. Craig Shumard, Dr. Rebecca Stroklund, Dr. Brett Wergin, Rick Blum PA-C, Megan Knutson FNP-C, Keegan Williams FNP-C, and Kensly Williams PA-C. JCH&L continues to recruit for providers. Our goal is to employ 4 physicians and 6 advanced practice providers.