Family Medicine Provider, Ryan Vonderhorst, M.D., joins Stormont Vail Health

Stormont Vail Health is proud to announce that Ryan Vonderhorst, M.D., has joined the team to practice as a family medicine provider, located at Cotton O’Neil Manhattan, 1133 College Ave., Manhattan, Kan., 66502.

Dr. Vonderhorst grew up in a small town, north of Seattle, called Arlington. He enjoyed exploring and hiking in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Kansas 20 years ago when he became a medic in the army at Fort Riley.

“It was certainly a change, but it’s a very welcoming community,” said Dr. Vonderhorst. “I love living here, so I elected to stay after military service.”

After Dr. Vonderhorst’s first couple of years at Fort Riley, a deployment, and developing friendships in the community, he decided to go to Kansas State University for his undergrad. After graduation, he knew he wanted to stay in Kansas so he went to KU for medical school, met his wife while in Kansas City who was in her residency program and also happened to be a Manhattan, Kansas native, and decided to come back to Fort Riley after his residency program to be a physician. Calling Northeast Kansas home started to feel like fate for Dr. Vonderhorst.

“I want to stay in the Manhattan area for essentially, indefinitely...so, I would love to get to know my patients and form a long-term connection. I want to help them make the life they live worthwhile, and I don’t define that, the patient does. I want to help guide them through their life, meet the goals that they want to meet, help treat them better, make good decisions, and help with medications, procedures...that’s what I like to do!”

Outside of the office, Dr. Vonderhorst also likes to learn new skills. He’s a self-taught, YouTube woodworker who can make a barn door and sliding drawers. He is working on learning how to add to that list. He is also a proud husband and dad to two young sons.

“I love being a dad, being goofy with my kids, and telling classic dad jokes. I hope my patients can see that, too! Hopefully patients can come to me, tell me what they need, look at me and think, ‘that guy is goofy, let’s go to him,’ which can help us build a trusting relationship, and then I can get them taken care of while forming a connection.”

Ryan Vonderhorst, M.D. graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Life Sciences before attending the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at Fort Benning in Georgia. Most recently, he has been the Brigade Surgeon to the 1st Sustainment Brigade at Fort Riley and the Medical Director for Farrelly Health Clinic on Fort Riley. Dr. Vonderhorst is now accepting new patients, newborns, pediatrics, adults, and elderly care patients, at Cotton O’Neil Manhattan. Please call (785) 354-6000 to schedule an appointment.