Thursday is National Rural Health Day, and representatives of Newman Regional Health joined KVOE’s On-Air Chat on Wednesday to discuss the need for a range of medical services in rural settings.
Executive Director of Strategy and Development Steven Bazan says the week is about one general focus:
Bazan also says having top-notch equipment, like new robotics opportunities, a new CT scanner and a remodeled cath lab, give doctors the tools to do their jobs while giving patients reasons for comfort as they consider healthcare options.
Emergency medicine provider Dr Jamie Foley has been in Emporia three years, with prior experience at Summa Akron City Hospital, including assistant director of the hospital’s emergency department.
OB/GYN Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse Val Raygoza transferred from cardiology about a decade ago.
Centralized Scheduling Specialist Brock Tremblay works on patient visit times, as well as meeting insurance guidelines. He is among four specialists handling matters for the over 42,000 patients that have visited Newman Regional Health so far this year.
Hand-in-Hand Hospice social worker Bethany Frank says she can’t imagine doing anything other than her current duties.
Business Development Marketing Specialist Saylor Middleton says the hospital is committed to serving its patients and giving its staff the best working environment possible.
Rural hospital coverage has been shrinking in both Kansas and the country at a time when rural areas are battling higher rates of poverty and lower median household incomes than urban areas. Numerous sources say hospital expense costs have increased by more than 35 percent since 2022 and Kansas hospitals handle over $1 billion in uncompensated care costs, meaning hospitals just in Kansas need close to $80 million in additional local tax revenue to stay open. Nationally, the Chartis 2025 Rural Health State of the State report says 46 percent of rural hospitals operate with a financial deficit. As of the report date early this year, nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed outright or converted to inpatient-free operations since 2010.
