“We are very confident this is going to be a win-win for all of us here in Manhattan.”
And with that Dr. Doug Hinkin, Board Chairman for the new Via Christi Hospital, summed up the sentiment of those participating in Friday’s ground-breaking of expansion efforts under Manhattan’s Via Christi Hospital, formerly Mercy Regional Health Center. Jeff Korsmo, President and CEO of Via Christi Health talked about the regional clinically integrated health care systems under the newly named facility, saying they work together as physicians, hospitals, senior care communities, and home health care. He mentioned the “wonderful presence” of Via Christi Villages in Manhattan.
John Broberg, who has served as Senior Administrator for Mercy Regional and now Via Christi Hospital also talked about the changes, which other than a name difference and more solid faith-based service, shouldn’t involve too much. He says they are now part of the largest health care system in the state of Kansas.
Broberg described it as an exciting day and fun to be part of it–with Friday’s ground-breaking, special mass, blessing of the hospital, and a community barbecue which celebrated the health care facility’s transition from Mercy Regional Health Center.
Broberg admits it’s taken a while to get to this point and been a long time coming, with the concept of having the partners come together to talk in 2009.
Via Christi has provided money toward a $15.5 million project to expand the emergency room and add a registration area and new chapel. The second floor will be converted to endoscopy rooms and a triage suite area for labor and delivery. An additional $7 million has been given to the Memorial Hospital Association for a foundation, and more money to assist with debt.
