OGALLALA, Neb. – Two new physicians joining Banner Health Clinic in Ogallala hail from areas not too far away, and boast backgrounds in volunteerism. Both will provide family medicine care and obstetrics.

Christopher Wong, MD, joined Banner Health Clinic in Ogallala on Aug. 1. A native of the suburbs of Denver, Colo., Dr. Wong practices family medicine and obstetrics. He is moving to Ogallala from Sioux Falls, S.D., where he worked for Acute Care, Inc., providing Emergency care for hospitals in rural southwest Minnesota.

Dr. Wong received his medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. He completed a residency at Sioux Falls Family Practice Residency in Sioux Falls with an extra year of obstetrical training. Dr. Wong also earned a master’s degree in pharmacology from Tulane.

He said his goal is to work in a rural, full-spectrum health care setting to include inpatient medicine, Emergency care, obstetrics and primary care in a clinic.

In his free time, he enjoys winter sports and working around the home. He volunteered at the Denver Aquarium and has a hobby collecting and breeding turtles.

Paula Thielen, MD, joined Banner Health Clinic on Aug. 15. She is from Omaha and earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She is moving to Ogallala from Scottsbluff where she is completing a residency with UNMC/Regional West Medical Center in family medicine. She specializes in full spectrum family medicine including obstetrics, office gynecologic procedures and women’s health.

Dr. Thielen began volunteering while in high school at Nebraska Methodist Hospital where she delivered mail, flowers and newspapers as well as staffed the hospital gift shop. Her volunteerism continued at other hospitals and grew to working with infants, preparing and serving meals at the Ronald McDonald House and helping with summer school physicals.

Drs. Wong and Thielen join Gabriel Godina, MD, at Banner Health Clinic, 2601 N. Spruce St. To make an appointment, call (308) 284-3645.