A native Kansan has returned to his home state to care for surgical patients at St. Catherine Hospital. Matthew Byrnes, M.D., started seeing patients at the hospital on Monday, July 2.

            “We have the ability to deal with a broad range of general surgical issues,” said Dr. Byrnes, who is from Wichita. “St. Catherine has a state-of-the-art intensive care unit and operating room. We also have exceptional post-operative care.”

            Dr. Byrnes’ clinical expertise includes procedures for gallbladder disease, hernia, laparoscopic surgery, colon surgery, thyroid disease, breast cancer, endoscopy, trauma, biopsies and wounds.

            He is joining the surgical team that includes Drs. Zeferino Arroyo, Joanne Rink and Kurt Kessler.

            “We can treat emergent, as well as elective surgical conditions,” Dr. Byrnes commented. “Our goal is to continue to provide exceptional surgical care to patients throughout southwest Kansas.”

            Dr. Byrnes earned his M.D. at the University of Kansas in Kansas City and Wichita in 2001. He completed his residency in general surgery at the KU School of Medicine in Wichita in 2006.

            He completed his surgical critical care fellowship at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital at St. Louis in 2007, and his fellowship in surgical infectious disease at the University of Minnesota, also in 2007.

            In addition, his most recent position was assistant professor of surgery in the division of surgical critical care at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Byrnes’ resume also includes many scientific activities, certifications and licensures, honors and awards, professional memberships and presentations at scientific meetings.

            “During my time at the University of Minnesota,” Dr. Byrnes said, “I developed a trauma system and treated a wide variety of surgical disease. As my wife and I started a family, it was clear that we wanted to move back to Kansas. This has always been home to us.”
            His wife, Lindsay, is from Holcomb; they have two young sons, Mattie and Mikey.

            Scott Taylor, president and chief executive officer at St. Catherine, said the staff is excited to welcome Dr. Byrnes to the hospital and the community.

            “He is joining an already well-respected group of surgeons in Drs. Arroyo, Rink and Kessler,” Taylor said. “His training, skill and experience are impeccable. And his recruitment further distinguishes the Garden City medical community as the recognized surgical center in western Kansas.”

            To schedule an appointment please call (620) 275-3740.