Honoring the Legacy of Cora Miller Hall 

Community invited to share memories, stories, and artifacts celebrating generations of nursing excellence   

(EMPORIA, KS) Community members traveling along 12th Avenue may have noticed activity around Cora Miller Hall, the historic former home of nursing education that has played a significant role in shaping healthcare in Emporia and throughout the region. 

As Newman Regional Health moves forward with its long-term campus transformation efforts, Cora Miller Hall will be retired from active service. Before that chapter closes, the organization is inviting alumni, former auxiliary members, nurses, healthcare professionals, and community members with a connection to the building to participate in a special gathering dedicated to preserving its history and honoring its legacy. 

For decades, Cora Miller Hall helped educate and inspire generations of nurses who went on to serve patients in Emporia, across Kansas, throughout the nation, and around the world. Many of those graduates chose to build their careers close to home, caring for friends, family, and neighbors throughout the Flint Hills. 

“Cora Miller Hall represents more than a building. It represents the dedication, compassion, and excellence of generations of nurses,” said Heather Alyward, Chief Nursing Officer of Newman Regional Health. “As we honor its history, we celebrate the lasting contributions of those whose lives and careers were shaped within its walls.” 

To help preserve that legacy, Newman Regional Health will host a Legacy Reflection and Memory Collection Event on September 18, 2026, at the Newman Regional Health Conference Center. 

The approximately 90-minute gathering will begin at 1:00pm, providing an opportunity for attendees to: 

• Reflect on the history and impact of Cora Miller Hall 

• Share personal stories and memories 

• View historical photographs and artifacts 

• Contribute memories and historical information for future preservation efforts 

Following the event, participants will be invited to visit Emporia State University during Family Day activities and tour the university’s current nursing facilities, connecting the proud history of nursing education in Emporia with the next generation of healthcare professionals. 

“One of the greatest legacies of Cora Miller Hall is not the building itself, but the people it helped prepare,” said Cathy Pimple. “This gathering gives us an opportunity to celebrate those stories, preserve those memories, and recognize the impact generations of nurses have had on our community.”  

Additional details, including event time and program schedule, will be announced soon. 

RSVP 

Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to register in advance. 

Register online:  Cora Miller Hall Legacy Reception – Fill out form 

Or call: 620-341-7783 

Newman Regional Health welcomes alumni, former faculty, former residents of Cora Miller Hall, auxiliary members, current and retired healthcare professionals, and anyone with a meaningful connection to the building’s history.