Ascension Via Christi will cease operations at its emergency department in Fort Scott on Wednesday, Dec. 20. This decision was made after a thorough analysis of trend data, patient census, and the current and future challenges and opportunities facing this facility.
Over the past several years, a multidisciplinary team that includes Ascension Via Christi clinical and operational leaders have been working together to understand the current operating environment at the Emergency Department in Fort Scott. This department has seen a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census. These factors, coupled with other economic challenges, have limited the emergency department’s ability to continue operations.
“After exploring the options available, it was clear that this was the only option for us. There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities. These providers will help us ensure continuity of care for our patients as we approach closure,” says Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Ascension Via Christi is committed to supporting associates, patients and community members through this transition.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi to provide equipment and furnishings for emergency room services in 2019, following the closure of the hospital in 2018.
The loss of the emergency department in Bourbon County on December 20 is on the minds of many in the community.
Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department cited “a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census” in the press release announcing the closure.
Gregg Motley, Southeast Kansas Regional Manager of Landmark National Bank, proposed a question-and-answer interview on the current medical issues between him and Dr. Randy Nichols that would answer some of the questions the community has. Here is the interview.
Dr. Randy Nichols, who recently retired from a long medical practice in Bourbon County, answers some frequently asked questions from Bourbon County residents about the future of Emergency Room services in Bourbon County.
Motley:
Why do we need an emergency room? Would a great ambulance service with high-quality Emergency Medical Services personnel be just as good?
Nichols:
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Rooms (ER) are mutually beneficial services. EMS is to evaluate the on-scene emergency needs, provide the care available on the ambulance, and transport to the closest appropriate ER. Once EMS is involved, they are legally required to transport the patient to the closest appropriate ER. An ER, on the other hand, is available to both ambulance transfers and “walk-ins” seeking emergency care. An ER has lab and x-ray diagnostic capabilities. It has treatment options not available on an ambulance. Following diagnostic evaluation, a patient can be treated and dismissed or stabilized and transferred for hospitalization to a facility offering the needed services.
Let’s look at our utilization numbers to understand why EMS alone is not adequate. Approximately 2/3 of our ER visits do not arrive by ambulance. Of our total ER visits, less than ¼ ultimately require hospitalization. If most of the people seeking emergency care can no longer bring themselves to a local facility, the number of ambulance calls, and therefore number of transports out of the county, could triple. To staff this would be a prohibitive expense. More importantly, emergencies aren’t scheduled, so if multiple health events occur at the same time without a local ER, our ambulance system could be overwhelmed: people will be waiting longer and some will not get the care they need in a timely manner. Additionally, some people may choose to “ride it out” at home rather than call an ambulance or make a long drive to the closest ER. Both of these decisions put people at increased risk.
A brick-and-mortar ER is foundational to the safety and well-being of our community.
Motley:
Could a stop at an ER without an attached hospital jeopardize the life of a critically ill patient by delaying a life-saving treatment?
Nichols:
EMS is obligated to take a patient to the closest ER providing the needed level of care. However, that care may be identified as a need to stabilize in the local ER while arranging transport to a higher level of care. This is often a more controlled situation, improves patient safety, and, if for example Life Flight needs to be called, may shorten the time to distant hospitals.
Motley:
Why is government being asked to subsidize a private corporation? Do other rural communities fund / subsidize their ERs.
Nichols:
Healthcare reimbursement is unlike other business models. In order to get paid, a healthcare organization must meet a rigid group of CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid) standards. Reimbursement is based on “customary and reasonable” and/or negotiated fees. Reimbursement doesn’t equal charges and in many cases, episodes of care are never paid. To have an ER, a subsidy is needed whether it is private or “not for profit.” Of course, the subsidy needs to be based on real and regularly verified numbers.
Many other communities subsidize their health care. In our area, Iola, Garnett, and Parsons all subsidize. Nevada has a ½ cent sales tax to support their hospital. Ottawa, Kansas subsidizes about $2 million yearly to cover the cost of indigent care. In Kansas, more than 50 hospitals are at risk of closure. The Kansas Hospital Association reports many of these would already be closed if not supported by local subsidies.
Motley:
Are there subsidies for rural health care out there to lighten our local burden? Is it anticipated this will be a perpetual subsidy for the taxpayers of Bourbon County?
Nichols:
Federal designation as a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) is being pursued. REH would pay $2-3 million a year as a facility fee. This would support an ER and a limited number of 24-hour observation beds. REH would provide long-term stability to our situation and probably eliminate the need for subsidy. Without REH, the need for an ongoing subsidy will be our responsibility.
Motley:
Will the rural health care system be fixed?
Nichols:
To fix rural health care our legislators must understand how it is broken. Please communicate with them your needs and concerns. In our immediate situation, we need help with waivers of the current rules limiting our ability to have an ER. First is a law dictating that the sponsoring hospital must be within 35 miles. The other is a waiver related to the timing of the closure of our hospital as it relates to qualifying for REH. Please continue to ask our representatives for their help.
If you are an employee being affected by the upcoming Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department closing in Fort Scott, KS and would like assistance finding new employment, please contact Southeast KANSASWORKS at (620) 231-4250. We offer a wide range of services, including job placement assistance, training opportunities, and career counseling all at no-cost!
We operate a satellite office in Fort Scott in the HBCAT Building located at 104 N. National Ave. We are open M – F, 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed for lunch 1pm to 2pm). Stop by and see us or call (620) 951-3565.
~Check out the Job Seek Resource flyer below! For Career Searching in the Fort Scott Area, this is a GREAT way to see what is available in the community!~
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg, Ks. Submitted photo.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg earns Leapfrog ‘A’ for safety
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2023, a national distinction that recognizes hospitals’ achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error.
“Receiving this recognition is truly a testament to the professionalism, dedication to safe patient care and the skills of our nurses, techs, medical staff and associates in our support staff,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated annually in the fall and spring.
“I appreciate every single one of our associates and medical staff and am thankful for the collaboration and teamwork that led us to achieve such an impactful recognition,” says Talbott.
To see details of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg’s grade and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states. Visit www.ascension.org.
Ascension Via Christi currently operates the emergency department at the former Mercy Hospital building in Fort Scott but is closing operations on Dec. 20.
Ascension Via Christi of Pittsburg has been providing emergency services in Fort Scott since February 2019, following the closure of Mercy Hospital in 2018.
Yesterday it was announced they will be closing operations at the site, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., Fort Scott, on Dec. 20.
“This department has seen a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census,” according to the AVC press release: Ascension Via Christi to close Emergency Department in Fort Scott on Dec. 20. “These factors, coupled with other economic challenges, have limited the emergency department’s ability to continue operations.”
Drew Talbott. Submitted photo.
“There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities,” Drew Talbot, president of Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg, said in the press release. “These providers will help us ensure continuity of care for our patients as we approach closure.”
Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells is thankful to Ascension Via Christi (AVC) for providing an emergency department in Bourbon County, he said.
Matthew Wells. Submitted photo.
“It is very unfortunate that Ascension is departing Fort Scott, and even more so that an emergency room operator loses over $1.5M annually to remain in a rural community,” Wells said.
“While it might seem that all hope is lost…the City (0f Fort Scott) and (the Bourbon) County (Commission) have identified a capable operator and have also agreed to provide financial support to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare in Fort Scott,” Wells said.
“The parties involved have been working tirelessly to affect a smooth transition to the new operations,” Wells said. “However, there are some regulatory challenges at the state and federal level which we are actively working to navigate. These regulations have made it exceedingly difficult for rural communities to access quality healthcare, and this is a problem that extends beyond just Fort Scott.”
Amberwell Health is ready to begin providing an emergency department in Bourbon County, once the regulatory hurdles are accomplished, Wells said.
“It is a national issue that requires urgent attention and immediate action from our legislators,” Wells said. “Over 13 million children under 18 reside in rural areas throughout the United States, and they, along with our seniors and all members of society, require access to emergency services. We need the legislatures to do what is necessary to change these regulations, this issue is a matter of life and death to my community.”
“With the cooperation of all parties, there is a clear path to not only maintaining an emergency room in Fort Scott but also expanding primary care services to benefit this growing community and its future aspirations, with not only an ER but a Rural Emergency Hospital,” Wells said.
Wells encourages the community to take an active role in supporting the endeavor.
“I encourage the community to take an active role by contacting their local government officials for support,” Wells said. “There are those who are actively moving this forward, but we can help push the state and federal legislature to make this happen faster.”
Your Elected Representatives
Following is a list of the elected representatives for Bourbon County at both the state and federal levels, according to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce website:
In a press release yesterday, Kansas Governor Kelly stated:
“I am incredibly saddened by the news that Ascension Via Christi’s Emergency Department in Fort Scott is closing. Bourbon County residents have already had to drive 30 miles to Pittsburg – or, in some cases, 90 miles to Kansas City – for most care since Mercy Hospital closed five years ago. Now, even in emergencies, they’ll have one less place to turn, threatening their health and safety.
“I’ve been touring the state rallying for Medicaid Expansion for six weeks, and in that time, we’ve seen a rural hospital and now an emergency room close. How much more evidence do we need that rural communities need our support to keep health care affordable and accessible? Enough is enough. It’s time to act.”
The Kansas Department of Commerce Rapid Response Team is reaching out to Ascension Via Christi leadership and will be sharing resources with employees who are now looking for work, according to the press release.
According to the Governor’s press release:
Rural hospitals in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion are six times more likely to close than rural hospitals in states with expansion.
Researchers have found that hospitals in expansion states, particularly those in rural areas, are better off financially and are less likely to close.
58% of rural Kansas hospitals are at risk of closing, and 28% are at immediate risk of closing.
Urologist Mark Frogge, MD, FACS, has joined Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Dr. Frogge will see patients at Ascension Via Christi’s new Urology Clinic in Pittsburg, located at 2701 S. Rouse St., starting Nov. 1.
As an Oklahoma City native, Dr. Frogge knows the importance of close-to-home, community-based care and is excited to care for the Pittsburg community.
Dr. Frogge earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas and then did his residency through the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA. In addition to being a urologist, he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Prior to joining Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Dr. Frogge spent over two decades caring for patients in California to Missouri and Kansas. He has been board-certified since 2000.
“We are excited to have Dr. Frogge at our new Urology Clinic to further improve access to care for our community,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “Dr. Frogge’s values, passion and patient-first mindset will make him a great fit for our Ascension Via Christi team.”
Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Frogge by calling 620-235-7529. For more information, visit ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg has received its 2023 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines, Stroke award for demonstrating its commitment to up-to-date, research-based guidelines in treating stroke.
Ascension Via Christi received the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus, the highest recognition available. It also met the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines criteria for inclusion on its Target: Type 2 Diabetes honor roll.
“This recognition is a testament to the high-quality care our team provides every day,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts in providing life-saving stroke treatments to our community.”
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure that patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. This ultimately leads to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital as studies show that patients recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.
According to the American Heart Association, improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates represent a win for healthcare systems, families and communities.
“Community is very important to us,” says Naomi Powers, who leads the stroke team at Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg. “Receiving this award calls attention to the dedication and hard work from our team in providing the highest standard of care for our stroke patients.”
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. To learn more about care at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Colu
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in Fort Scott has recently signed an agreement with Legacy Health LLC for the center to move into the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills.
The building was recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas who moved to another Fort Scott building.
The former Mercy Clinic Suites C and D, at 401 Woodland Hills, will be renovated by the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Clinic and move in will be thereafter.
“We don’t have an official date for the move as we need to secure a contractor for some renovations but are hoping this summer,” said Holly Jerome, SEKMHC’s director of marketing and human resources said. “Once a move date has been set, we will be notifying clients and the community.”
“We are certainly not new to Fort Scott,” said Jerome. “We were established in 1961! But due to our growth after becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic ( in 2022) we are outgrowing our current building which is located at 212 State Street.”
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.
“We will continue offering our current and expanded services,” Jerome said. “This new space will allow us to continue adding to our team!”
“SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification,” CEO Nathan Fawson said in a press release https://fortscott.biz/news/legacy-health-partners-with-southeast-kansas-mental-health-to-expand-services. “The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when youtreat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”–
According to its website https://www.sekmhc.org/ the services they provide to the community are:
Substance use and addictions counseling
Clinical therapy and counseling
Community support and groups
Crisis intervention
Psychiatric and medication management
They have locations in:
Allen County
Anderson County
Bourbon County
Linn County
Neosho County
Woodson County
Last year they served over 4,000 clients, according to its website. The staff provide school based therapy and case management in 12 school districts. They have 15 team members in the crisis department and 10 in the psychiatry department.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is in transition to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), according to its website. A CCBHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services, while also focusing on physical health and whole person wellness.
What the transition means is, the following is added:
Patient navigation services
Comprehensive behavioral health screening at intake
Primary health screening including gathering health metrics (height, weight, and blood pressure)
Primary health resources and referral
What won’t change is:
Access to counseling and therapy
Access to crisis services
Access to medical services and psychiatry
Community-based services for adults and children
Services and programs previously provided, unless otherwise noted
Upcoming Community Self-Care Event:
A Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Self-Care Fair will be held on May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.
For questions about the self-care fair, contact: Dawne Burchett at 620-496-8702 or Vicki Wright at 620-212-9391.
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health has a mission to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches, according to the Legacy Health press release. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.
Legacy Health LLC was registered on June 7, 2022 as a Limited Liability Company – CA company type incorporated at 269 WEST BONITA CLAREMONT, CA 91711. according to /https://ca.ltddir.com/companies/legacy-health-llc/
Troy Schell is the Legacy HealthChairman of the Board, according to the press release.
Chief Clinical Officer is Jennifer Massey and she is the contact person at [email protected]
Chief Strategy Officer is Merrill Eisenhower.
Locally, Matthew Wells is Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations at the 401 Woodland Hills site. His duties are technical and equipment maintenance. Wells recently helped the building receive joint hospital accreditation, which is necessary because of the patient care given in the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department that is also housed in the facility, he said.
The Legacy Health Foundation received the building from the Bourbon County Commission in November 2022. In addition to the building, the commission gave Legacy Health Foundation $2 million dollars from funds received from Mercy Hospital and American Rescue Plan Act Funds to develop the property, according to a prior story.
OB/GYN Victoria Shirley, DO, has joined Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Dr. Shirley, who has been practicing since 2002, knows the importance of close-to-home, community-based care and is excited to care for women in all stages of life.
Dr. Shirley earned her undergraduate and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa and then did her OB/GYN residency through Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
Prior to joining Ascension Via Christi, Dr. Shirley spent nearly a decade caring for patients at Kings’ Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana. During that period, she served as their Chief of Surgery and additionally as Medical Director of Choice’s Pregnancy clinic.
“We are excited that Dr. Shirley chose Ascension Via Christi to practice, further improving access to care for women in Southeast Kansas,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “Dr. Shirley’s compassion, experience, courtesy and patient-first mindset makes her a great fit for our OB/GYN team.”
Dr. Shirley wants her future patients to know that they will be coming into a welcoming, non-judgemental environment and encourages them to feel open to ask questions. She looks forward to collaborating on every aspect of her patients’ care, from teens to seniors.
Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Shirley by calling 620-230-0044. For more information, visit ascension.org/PittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities
After having carpal tunnel surgery, Tawny Sandifer, who serves as vice president of Operations and Nursing at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, needed Occupational Therapy services to get back to normal life.
Sandifer says she confidently chose Ascension Via Christi Therapy Center for her ongoing care not because of her role, but based on all the positive feedback from friends and community members.
Occupational Therapy, which works to develop, recover or maintain function of everyday skills, treats a variety of upper extremity injuries, disabilities or impairments such as: amputations, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, surgery recovery and much more.
For 12 weeks, Sandifer worked with therapist Chrissy Naccarato, OT, to strengthen and improve function in her hand.
“Chrissy always greeted me with a smile,” says Sandifer. “She took time to explain the ‘why’ behind what I was doing with my treatment plan and ensured that I understood how it was helping me to reach my goals.”
Although Occupational Therapy can sometimes be challenging, Sandifer expressed what a positive experience it’s been: “I look forward to my therapy appointment and seeing Chrissy. I know it will be challenging but I also know that Chrissy’s approach makes it fun.”
Now, Sandifer says that she has met her goals and has seen significant improvement in the strength and functioning of her hand, crediting much of that to her therapist.
“I would refer Occupational Therapy at Ascension Via Christi Therapy Center to all of my friends and family,” says Sandifer. “Chrissy is so knowledgeable, compassionate, engaging, professional and caring!”
To learn more about Ascension Via Christi Therapy services, go to ascension.org/PhysicalTherapyKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
On Apr. 14, 1903, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg began its healing mission as Mt. Carmel Hospital,with just 20 rooms lit by oil lamps in which to provide care.
In the late 1800s, coal mining camps developed throughout Crawford County as Southeast Kansas experienced a period of rapid growth. Health conditions were poor and the city hospital in Pittsburg was unable to serve the influx of residents, so local doctors consulted the Rt. Rev. John J. Hennessy, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, for help in building a new hospital. The bishop called Mother Mary Bernard Sheridan, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wichita, for help.
In 1989, Charles J. Devlin, owner of the Mt. Carmel Coal Company, presented the Sisters with a monetary donation and 40-acre tract of land between Frontenac and Pittsburg upon which to build the hospital. As a gesture of appreciation, the new facility was named Mt. Carmel Hospital and was the first to be operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita.
“We are blessed to be part of a health organization that has provided care to our local community for 120 years,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “Our Mission began to provide care to the underserved and continues so today.”
In 1971 and after a highly successful community fundraising drive, the current hospital building was constructed to accommodate its ever-growing patient count.
Now, 120 years later with 110 rooms and a staff of more than 450, the hospital provides specialized orthopedic, cardiology, emergency, obstetric and gynecology, surgical, pediatric, cancer care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, sleep medicine and other health services.
It also features a Women’s Center with a Level II nursery and central fetal monitoring system; Heart Center with a $2.6 million Cardiac Stepdown Unit, catheterization lab and pediatric echocardiogram program; Emergency departments in both Pittsburg and Fort Scott recognized as Level III trauma Centers with Level 3 geriatric care accreditations; a 40,000-square-foot Surgery Center equipped with state-of-the-art robotic-assisted technology, 3D mammography capabilities and a recently-renovated Cancer Center equipped with a $1.5 million state-of-the-art TrueBeam linear accelerator.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the work of our incredible associates and medical staff,” says Talbott. “They make our Mission possible.”
Since 1903, Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg has been blessed to provide compassionate care, close to home and will continue to do so well into the future.
To learn more about Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Chris Stevens, Nuclear Medicine Lead Technologist. Submitted photo.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has recently added a PET/CT scanner, which can help detect the early onset of diseases before other imaging tests can.
The new scanner uses small amounts of radioactive materials, a special camera and a computer to evaluate organ and tissue functions. By identifying changes at the cellular level, the test helps detect cancer or make a diagnosis, determine if a cancer has spread, assess the effectiveness of treatment, evaluate prognosis, determine the effects of a heart attack, evaluate brain abnormalities and more.
“The installation of the PET/CT scanner at our hospital speaks to our continued commitment to provide the most technologically advanced quality care to our patients”, says Chris Stevens, Nuclear Medicine Lead Technologist.
An important test made possible by the PET/CT scanner is a PSMA prostate study. This test uses a diagnostic imaging agent together with PET/CT imaging to detect prostate cancer for both initial staging and suspected recurrence, typically sooner than other types of imaging scans.
“It’s a blessing to have the availability of PET/CT for our patients and physicians”, says Stevens. “Our list of available exams is now equivalent to those at the largest hospitals in the biggest towns.”
The new imaging technology allows the hospital to continue to provide advanced care close to home.
To learn more about services at Ascension Via Christi, visit ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
