More conversations are ahead as the Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees looks at potential strategic partnerships.
The board had a special meeting on that topic Wednesday, spending the entire meeting in executive session. Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple says she can’t divulge any information about the conversation but says more discussions may take place at the board’s next regular meeting near the end of June.
Administrators and board members have been discussing potential strategic partnerships with other hospital operations for several months, emphasized last fall after Stormont-Vail advised Newman Regional leadership about its plans for a new $32 million surgery center in Emporia. Newman Regional countered with a proposed package of zoning code text changes to both protect its financial interests while giving city leaders more oversight for outside hospital projects. Both sides agreed to a facilitated discussion process, which began in April. A status report is pending.
