As conversations continue about medical facilities in Emporia, Newman Regional Health CEO Cathy Pimple says her hospital and Stormont-Vail have a shared vision for serving the area. The devil is in the details.
Between the Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees monthly meeting last week and the Emporia City Commission’s meetings this upcoming Wednesday, Pimple reiterated concerns about the negative impact of duplicated services, both on Newman Regional Health and the area as a whole.
Newman Regional’s concerns have been in place for close to a year after Stormont outlined plans for a standalone surgical facility not on the Newman Regional campus, saying working spaces at the Emporia hospital were insufficient and dated while also arguing the area has enough patient traffic to support both facilities. Newman Regional Health’s concerns have been about the negative effects of Stormont duplicating services like cardiology, cath and gastrointestinal labs, endoscopy and orthopedics — which could lead to losses of around $4 million per year, depending on the duplicated service or services. Pimple says there is no agreement yet on services at a potential Stormont facility.
Last fall, Newman Regional Health requested a batch of zoning code changes to both protect its interests and give Emporia government more say in approving similar projects from outside hospital systems — but Stormont bought land just outside the Emporia city limits at Roads 180 and G with annexation conversations involving Emporia city government at least possible later this year.
City commissioners have not decided on that request, urging mediated conversations that took place between August and June before ending. Newman Regional Health says the discussions were reaching an impasse. Stormont-Vail has not responded to a KVOE News request for an update. Lyon County commissioners were at last week’s meeting and declined comment afterward.
Also at the Newman Regional board meeting was 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber. He’s also concerned about potential duplication of services.
Following Wednesday’s City Commission meeting, the city is looking at Sept. 13 as its next milestone date. If there is not a joint agreement between the hospitals on their path forward, City Manger Trey Cocking has said the commission will consider any Stormont request “without the benefit of a joint recommendation.” Pimple says she has been having conversations with Stormont Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tracy O’Rourke.
Information about the City Commission agendas for Wednesday is currently pending.
