Newman Regional Health Named Kansas Anchor Hospital 

One of 10 total hospitals eligible to participate in Rural Health Transformation Program Initiative designed to Enhance Access to Specialty Care and Advanced Technology 

Newman Regional Health has officially joined the Kansas Anchor Hospital Advancement Program (AHAP), a key initiative within the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, designed to strengthen collaboration and expand resources across rural healthcare systems. 

Ten regional Anchor Hospitals, including Newman Regional Health, were selected to participate based on criteria approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), including their capacity to support surrounding communities within a 60-minute drive, as well as their service capabilities and regional reach. 

“We are honored to serve in this role as we work alongside hospitals and communities across the region to strengthen rural healthcare together,” said Cathy Pimple, CEO of Newman Regional Health. “At the heart of this effort is a respect for the unique needs, leadership, and priorities of each community. Our commitment is to build meaningful partnerships that support local hospitals, ensuring access to resources, collaboration, and opportunities that help them remain strong and sustainable for the people they serve. 

A Collaborative Approach to Rural Healthcare 

The Anchor Hospital Advancement Program is built on a model of partnership. Connecting anchor hospitals with surrounding community hospitals to provide practical, responsive support. Through ongoing collaboration and communication, AHAP aims to ensure that regional priorities, operational challenges, and community needs are directly informing statewide strategies. 

Participating hospitals will work closely together to identify opportunities for shared services, expanded specialty access, and coordinated technology deployment. 

Year 1 Strategic Priorities 

Under AHAP, participating hospitals will focus on four core priority areas during the first year: 

• Remote Patient Monitoring: Expanding the use of wearable technologies to enhance inpatient care, reduce length of stay, and support clinical teams 
• Artificial Intelligence & Electronic Health Record Optimization: Advancing technology solutions to improve efficiency, care coordination, and patient outcomes 
• Rural Residency Programs: Strengthening workforce pipelines in high-need specialties, including OB/GYN, behavioral health, family medicine, general surgery, and orthopedics 
• Consultative & On-Demand Support: Access to subject matter experts in areas such as cybersecurity, long-term planning, quality and safety, and managed care strategy 

These initiatives position anchor hospitals as central hubs for clinical advancement, workforce development, and technology modernization across rural Kansas. 

“These efforts allow us to strengthen the entire healthcare ecosystem by aligning resources and expertise where they are needed most.” said Diana Kuhlman, Board Member for Newman Regional Health.  

Implementation and Regional Impact 

As part of the program’s rollout, anchor hospitals like Newman Regional Health will help pilot and implement advanced technologies and care models that can be scaled across the region. This coordinated approach ensures that rural communities benefit from innovation while maintaining local access to care.  

Governance and Funding 

AHAP is governed by an independent board of directors, which includes representation from participating health systems. Cathy Pimple serves on the board, helping guide strategic priorities and funding recommendations for future phases of the program. 

In its first year, Kansas received $221.8 million in funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support its Rural Health Transformation Program, of which AHAP is a central component. 

Commitment to Rural Communities

Through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose, AHAP represents a significant step forward in strengthening rural healthcare across Kansas.  

“This is an opportunity to work together as a region,” Pimple said. “By aligning our efforts, we can create sustainable, meaningful impact for the patients, providers, and communities we serve.” 

About the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) 

The RHTP is a five-year, statewide initiative designed to strengthen rural health systems through five core initiatives: expanding prevention and population health programs, securing access to primary care, development of a sustainable rural health workforce, support for value‑based care models, and increasing use of data and technology.  Through these initiatives, there are over 24 programs that will break down this federal grant.  Kansas received $221 million from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support the first year of the program. 

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About Newman Regional Health: Newman Regional Health is a community-owned hospital serving Emporia and the surrounding counties in east central Kansas. Recognized as a Level IV Trauma Center, Newman provides award-winning, 24/7 care to patients of all ages through a comprehensive range of services including emergency medicine, surgery, orthopedics, cardiology with a PCI-accredited Cath Lab, obstetrics and gynecology, laboratory, and primary care. The hospital also features a respected inpatient acute and medical rehabilitation department. Guided by a mission to improve community health through high-quality care and a vision to be a trusted regional provider, Newman Regional Health is considered a top community hospital in Kansas.  

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For more information contact:

Kacie Hastings
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(620) 343-6800 x22614  
Email: Khastings@newmanrh.org www.newmanrh.org 
 
Julie Gilmor, MBA
Strategic Marketing Program Manager, The University of Kansas Health System
UKHS Care Collaborative / AHAP Media Relations
Phone: (816) 206-9926
Email: jgilmor@kumc.edu