To my fellow residents of western Kansas,
I tendered my resignation from HaysMed on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. My last day in the clinic will be Feb. 17, 2025.
It has been a wonderful journey for my family and me since I began my practice at HMC in July 2015. Currently, I am one of only two remaining medical oncologists who physically reside west of Hays. For that reason, I struggled deeply with my decision to leave. It is never easy to make such a decision, especially when reflecting on all the patients I have had the privilege of helping over the past nine years. My greatest concern is how the people of Western Kansas will access medical oncology services in the future.
Ultimately, my decision to leave was guided by how I believe medical care can best be delivered to the people of rural Kansas. The simple truth is that the administration at HaysMed and I have differing views on the need for a new model of health care. In my opinion, the current regional hub health care model that HaysMed operates under is unlikely to remain viable in the long term. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that the departure of approximately 20 health care providers from the hospital in the past year also influenced my decision.
I do not know what the future holds for medical oncology in Western Kansas, especially as HMC has made it clear that it will enforce its restrictive employment covenants regardless of the impact. The national shortage of oncologists, particularly in rural America, only amplifies this challenge. However, I am confident that there will always be an increasing need for the services I provide across the United States.
I bear no ill will toward the administration at HaysMed. For the sake of the health of our community and rural Kansas as a whole, I sincerely hope they succeed in the extraordinarily difficult task of recruiting new physicians to our wonderful community.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all my patients and the people of Western Kansas who have supported my family and me. Thank you all.
— Robert Rodriguez, MD