Exciting news from SCK Health Foundation
The SCK Health Foundation is excited to announce a new project is underway at SCK Health! Thanks to various grant opportunities—including generous support from the Patterson Family Foundation, the Rural Health Initiative Grant (funded by the State of Kansas), and private Foundation contributions—we are embarking on a three-phase, fully-funded, renovation project worth $1,050,000.
Foundation Director Pam Crain went on to express her gratitude for the funds, stating, “SCK Health Foundation is so appreciative of the commitment of the Patterson Family Foundation to rural healthcare in Kansas. It is due to their significant donation that we were able to match the RHIG funds and receive state grant money. The collaboration with the Cowley County Commission, and County Manager Lucas Goff, was key to our receiving the RHIG funding. I want to thank them as well”. She added, “As we begin this project, it’s important to recognize that grant funding comes with specific stipulations on how that money can be spent. For instance, out of the total grant amount of $1,050,000, we must allocate $420,000 for capital improvements and $630,000 for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.”
The success of SCK Health and our commitment to better serving the residents of Cowley County is always at the forefront of our decision-making. “Before we kicked off this project, our team took a good look at our facility and what we really need. We carefully considered how this money could be best spent to maximize its value and impact on the facility. As a rural emergency hospital, SCK Health needs to add focus to outpatient services, such as outpatient surgeries and occupational health. With these improvements and continued community support, we are confident that SCK Health will keep delivering great care right here at home.” said Shannon Gray, CFO and Interim CEO. This three-phase project will involve remodeling the occupational health department, enhancing the surgery department, and providing new equipment throughout the hospital and clinics.
This past Monday, November 11th, 2024, we began construction to convert the North wing of SCK Health Medical Center to house our growing Occupational Health Services (OHS) department. This first phase of the renovation project will grant OHS the space needed to properly provide much-needed services to the business of Cowley County while repurposing the unused space in the medical center.
Since its expansion almost one year ago, SCK Health’s OHS department has grown exponentially, increasing both in businesses served and services offered, providing our employers with more resources right here in Cowley County. Most notably of these new services, Occupational Health has recently become licensed as a WorkSTEPS Provider, a leading provider of employee testing and occupational health solutions. This will bring business back to Cowley County, as the closest provider prior to this license was in Wichita, KS, creating a more efficient and convenient process for employees.
Once the renovation of the new OHS department is completed, Hutton Construction will begin work on phase two of our project, updating our surgery department. This will include expanding the storage area in the central sterile area, a critical component of our surgery operations. These improvements will better accommodate our expanding surgery needs and enhance the quality of care for our patients.
Phase three includes the largest portion of our grant funding, $630,000. This will be distributed through all departments at the hospital and clinics in the form of new furniture and equipment. When asked about the new equipment, the Director of Nursing, Dixie Simpson, stated, “The staff have been so happy, and grateful, for everything they have received so far, and are expected to receive. From the little things, like new scissors or thermometers to the big things, like new IV pumps and chairs, they truly appreciate every piece. We are so excited to be able to provide anything that makes their jobs a little easier.”
It is through these funding opportunities that SCK Health can continue to provide state-of-the-art procedures and care for our community. We know that it is imperative that we have quality care close to home when seconds count. We want you to know that we will be here when you need us.
*Pictured L/R is SCK Health staff member Heather Irving, SCK Health OHS Medical Director, Evelin Harris, OHS Coordinator, Reagan Vierthlar, Hutton Construction Project Manager, Nathan Wood, Hutton Construction Project Manager, Pam Crain, SCK Health Foundation Director, and Shannon Gray, SCK Health CFO/Interim CEO,
