The Newman Regional Health Board of Trustees had some special guests in attendance for their regular monthly meeting this past week.
In attendance for the meeting last Wednesday were several national and state healthcare leaders, including Chief Operations Officer of the National Rural Health Association Brock Slabach and President and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association Chad Austin. During their time in Emporia, Slabach and Austin spoke on several matters, including readiness translating to a hospital’s value, intentional decision-making for keeping essential services local, the shared responsibility of community health, collaboration and more.
In his comments, Slabach spoke to prioritizing community, saying, ” The community has to be at the top of our minds in terms of our work. The hospital should not own every community health effort, but it should be an active partner.” Austin also spoke to collaboration, saying, “The collaboration and partnerships occurring from community to community are going to be essential. Gathering input from community members helps make sure healthcare is right-sized for the needs of the community.”
On the topic of intention, Slabach stated, “You have to decide what it is you want to keep local. Successful communities are deciding what they can provide well in their own communities and looking for partnerships that continue the patient’s care journey.”
In addition to the discussions with Slabach and Austin, the hospital also introduced its new Chief Operating Officer Jim Reneike, who had previously served as the hospital’s interim Chief Nursing Officer in 2022 before the appointment of Heather Aylward. In financial matters, hospital leadership reported a net revenue growth of more than 25 percent since fiscal year 2022, with the hospital’s operating margin improving from 10.3 percent to 2.0 percent in fiscal year 2025 and reaching +4.8 percent in 2026 year-to-date. Outpatient visits grew close to 20 percent, with clinic visits for 2026 so far totaling 34,285, which is up 10 percent from the same time last year.
The Newman Board of Trustees will reconvene for their monthly meeting Wednesday, November 25th.
