Cody S. Hays, PA-C
Cody Hays, PA-C, is a dedicated physician assistant currently practicing at Rapid City Healthcare, a privately owned urgent care and family medicine clinic. With approximately seven months of clinical experience, she values what she describes as “the best of both worlds” — treating walk-in urgent care cases, triaging emergencies that require referral, and providing continuity care for family medicine patients. This blend of acute and primary care allows her to address immediate health concerns while building lasting relationships with consistent patients over time. Her areas of specialization include urgent care and family medicine, where she emphasizes accessibility, efficiency, and compassionate care.
Cody began her medical career as a certified phlebotomist before pursuing advanced clinical training. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and went on to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2025. After initially being waitlisted for medical school, she discovered that the physician assistant pathway was exactly where she was meant to be — a turning point she now considers one of the most defining and positive moments of her professional journey. She is a member of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA).
Deeply committed to serving underserved populations, Cody has participated in multiple medical mission trips through University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, traveling to Ecuador three times and Kenya once. During these missions, she provided primary care through pop-up clinics in extremely rural and remote regions, including mountainous highlands where residents often travel hours for limited or uncertain medical access. Her team traveled to patients rather than requiring patients to come to them, ensuring no one was turned away. Looking ahead, Cody envisions practicing in a rural small-town community, where she can continue improving access to quality healthcare and give back to areas that reflect her own roots.
• University of Mary Hardin–Baylor - M.P.A.
• PA-C
• Phlebotomy Certification
• NCCPA
• TAPPA
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Urgent Care
- Family Medicine
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing medicine is having the best of both worlds in my current role. I get to see urgent care cases that I can take care of right there in the clinic, and I also have the privilege of doing continuity care for family medicine, which means I have a lot of consistent patients I get to see regularly. Building those ongoing relationships with patients while also being able to help people with their immediate urgent needs makes my work incredibly fulfilling. It's exactly the kind of practice I was hoping for.