Hays Med
HAYS, KS - HaysMed welcomed Congressman Tracey Mann for a recent visit focused on the future of rural healthcare and the ongoing efforts to expand access to advanced medical services for patients across western Kansas.
As the only tertiary care center serving the region, HaysMed provides specialized care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to patients from communities across western Kansas. During his visit, Congressman Mann toured key areas of the hospital and learned more about HaysMed's continued investments in technology, facilities, and services designed to bring advanced healthcare closer to home.
"Our mission has always been to ensure patients in western Kansas have access to exceptional healthcare without having to leave the region," said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO of HaysMed. "Every investment we make is focused on improving access, enhancing patient outcomes, and meeting the growing healthcare needs of the communities we serve."
A highlight of the visit was a discussion of HaysMed's plans for a new PET/CT scanner, made possible through $2.4 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The advanced imaging technology will support both oncology and cardiac patients, providing critical diagnostic services that often require rural patients to travel long distances.
The visit also included a tour of HaysMed's hybrid operating room, which opened in 2025. As the region’s first hybrid operating room with advanced imaging technology, the space allows physicians to perform specialized cardiovascular procedures while maintaining the flexibility to quickly transition to open surgery when needed. The technology enhances patient care, improves efficiency, and expands the types of procedures that can be performed locally.
During his visit, Congressman Mann gained a deeper understanding of the breadth of specialty services available at HaysMed, including Emergency Medicine, Oncology, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, General Surgery, and Cardiac Rehabilitation. The conversations underscored the critical role HaysMed plays in ensuring patients throughout western Kansas have access to advanced, life-saving care in their own region rather than traveling hours for treatment.
Throughout the visit, HaysMed leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining access to advanced healthcare services in rural communities, particularly as healthcare costs continue to rise and workforce shortages impact providers across the country.
"HaysMed plays a critical role in ensuring the people of western Kansas have access to high-quality care close to home," Herrman said. "Whether it's investing in new technology, recruiting specialized providers, or expanding services, we remain committed to strengthening healthcare access for the patients and families who depend on us."
Congressman Mann's visit provided an opportunity to showcase how strategic investments and community partnerships are helping HaysMed continue to grow as a regional healthcare destination while ensuring residents throughout western Kansas have access to the care they need, when and where they need it most.
Additional Information
- HaysMed Awarded Rural Health Transformation Program Funding
- HaysMed Opens Kansas' First Hybrid Operating Room with Advanced Imaging Capabilities
- Built for Rural Healthcare - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Negotiations
