With Newman Regional Health now named as one of eight hospitals across the nation participating in the National Rural Hospital Stabilization Program, Community Engagement Champion Saylor Middleton says the hospital is in a process that could see growth in efficiency, national reach and quality in the coming months.
The program, in general terms, offers hospitals “comprehensive technical assistance and targeted support” at no cost to the hospitals. For Newman Regional Health, there will be “hands-on guidance from nationally-recognized rural health experts” with an emphasis on bolstering healthcare delivery and reversing recent challenges faced by rural hospitals.
In an interview with KVOE News Monday, shortly after Newman’s inclusion in the program was announced, Middleton explained this process should be getting underway soon and will, in simple terms, see hospital leadership and NRHS representatives conduct a “deep dive” of the back end of hospital operations to find efficiencies and areas of needed improvement.
In addition to identifying either new or expanded services and areas for growth, the program will also connect Newman with a national network of peer hospitals, something Middleton, who was named as the hospital’s Community Engagement Champion as part of the program, says has already begun for her.
Newman was one of 120 hospitals across the nation to apply for the program and was one of just eight selected. When asked what she believed helped Newman stand out among other facilities, Middleton says the community and its leadership team played a large role.
The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Office of Rural Health Policy. We have the information link with our story at KVOE.com.
7:30 am Monday: Newman Regional Health named as participant in federal Rural Health Stabilization Program
Newman Regional Health is among a select few hospitals nationwide named to the National Rural Hospital Stabilization Program.
In fact, the Emporia hospital is one of nearly 120 hospitals to apply nationwide and one of just eight selected.
The program, in general terms, offers hospitals “comprehensive technical assistance and targeted support” at no cost to the hospitals. For Newman Regional Health, there will be “hands-on guidance from nationally-recognized rural health experts” with an emphasis on bolstering healthcare delivery and reversing recent challenges faced by rural hospitals. Participating facilities will share experiences and build a national network of peer hospitals.
Part of the program includes unspecified funding to help develop a Community Engagement Champion role. Saylor Middleton, Business Development Marketing Specialist, will fill that role.
The Rural Hospital Stabilization Program is funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Office of Rural Health Policy. Click here for the information link.
