The importance of health care in a rural setting like Emporia was highlighted on National Rural Health Day on Thursday.
Several providers at Newman Regional Health gave their perspectives during KVOE’s Morning Show, including one of the newest to the fold — cardiologist Dr. Colleen Fearon. Originally from Jamaica, Fearon trained a Morehouse College in Atlanta, one of the country’s 40 biggest cities. However, she says she has felt right at home in Emporia and she says “Emporia found me.” She says health care is vitally important when you’re an hour or more from major cities.
Dr. Jonathan Bates, an internal medicine specialist, pediatrician and family care physician, grew up on a farm and had several family members who have served in health care. He says Newman Regional Health was a good fit for him and his family.
Among them was Director of Nursing Heather Aylward, who says she thought she would be “in and out” of Emporia after nursing school. That idea soon changed.
Surgeon Dr. Bradon Bitter says he has always gravitated toward rural communities, in part because of his roots in Hoisington.
Newman Regional Health has nearly 720 employees, including almost 50 medical providers. Last year, the hospital had over 14,000 emergency room visits and almost 10,000 emergency room visits. It also admitted an average of 22 patients a day for care. The hospital says its economic impact includes over $53 million in salaries for its employees and better than $25 million in added economic benefit to the area.
