Haxtun Health is thrilled to welcome Morgen Budde, Physician Associate to the team. Morgen is very familiar with the joys and challenges that come along with rural living. Her hometown of Leoti is located in the heart of America within the western plains of Kansas. Leoti is home to a hospital much like Haxtun Health. They have an emergency room, clinic, inpatient care, as well as a long-term care unit all within the same building. She is accustomed to seeing a handful of providers assist in all areas of the hospital, counseling patients from birth to end-of-life care.

When asked, "Why rural medicine?" Morgen responded, "If there is anything I know about people, especially farmers, in a rural, small town, it is that trust is the difference between them going to the doctor or not. It was this environment that made me want to pursue a career in medicine with hopes of being a primary care provider for a small community of my own one day."

Morgen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a secondary major in Gerontology. Gerontology is the detailed study of aging and its effects on older adults. After completing her Bachelor's Degree in 2021, she continued on to earn her Master's of Physician Associate Studies from Wichita State University in 2023, where she earned honors each year.

In the midst of earning her bachelor's, Morgen took a trip to Lima, Peru, to provide women's health, prenatal and pediatric care to underserved communities. She also educated local children on the importance of oral hygiene. She even played an instrumental role in building a pathway that would offer easier passage for the villagers throughout the mountainside community.

While Morgen has made it her mission to provide Northeast Colorado with comprehensive care for all ages, there is no denying that she has a soft spot for the aging population. She is excited to be involved with our Extended Care residents that call Haxtun Health home. Morgen proves to be patient and understanding of the unique challenges that aging adults face. She is looking forward to building strong relationships and friendships with the residents, who are already close to her heart, as well as their families.

When Morgen isn't working, you can find her in the kitchen cooking her favorite meals, hiking a trail somewhere in the Rockies alongside her golden retriever, Thatcher, cheering on the Broncos or attending an Avalanche game.

Morgen is eager to grow her practice and start growing her relationships throughout the community. Morgen has already landed in Haxtun, and she will begin seeing patients before the end of the year.