Wednesday’s groundbreaking for Emporia State University’s Nursing + Student Wellness Center comes at a notable time for Newman Regional Health.
The most obvious impact is in vacating Cora Miller Hall, the ESU nursing department’s classroom building for decades, by August 2025. Newman Regional Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple says there are no plans for filling Cora Miller — at least not yet.
Emporia State’s nursing department is moving into a $23 million, 32,000-square-foot building. Newman Regional Health is one of the key donors to the new campus facility, with the board announcing a $500,000 donation to the Simulation Hospital Suite in January.
The hospital Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting Wednesday, and there was continued good news when it comes to employee retention. Overall and residential nurse turnover continued below national trends, with 6 percent nurse turnover in April well below the 27-percent national trend line. Inpatient revenue was over budget, but there was an overall net loss of $122,000 for March — pushing the year-to-date net loss to almost $750,000, unfavorable to budget by over $80,000 and unfavorable to 2023 year-to-date by over $720,000.
Board members also updated Lyon County commissioners on their projects and initiatives. Commission Chair Rollie Martin says he liked the energy coming from Pimple and the hospital. With budget request season just a few weeks, Martin also says he’s interested in getting the hospital’s funding request.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s Board of Trustees has a strategic planning retreat from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday at the hospital. Pimple says some of the conversation will likely include upcoming construction, especially with the hospital designed for vertical development.
