Newman Regional Health and Coffey Health System Announce Shared Services Agreement to Expand Specialty Care Access for Rural Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12-12-2025

(EMPORIA, KS & BURLINGTON, KS) — Newman Regional Health (NRH) and Coffey Health System (CHS) have entered into a shared services agreement designed to strengthen rural specialty care. The partnership will begin with general surgery services, with both organizations committed to expanding specialty offerings in line with community needs.

This agreement reflects a growing movement across rural America: hospitals working together to enhance access, strengthen clinical quality, and ensure the long-term sustainability of local health care. Evidence consistently shows that coordinated rural partnerships improve outcomes, reduce outmigration, and deliver higher-value care—keeping services close to home and strengthening communities.

“Shared services allow rural hospitals to remain strong, responsive, and deeply connected to the people we serve,” said Cathy Pimple, chief executive officer of Newman Regional Health. “This is about doing what is right for patients—leveraging each organization’s strengths, aligning resources, and making specialty care more accessible for families throughout our region.”

Stacy Augustyn, chief executive officer of Coffey Health System, echoed that commitment. “Shared services provide a sustainable framework for expanding access, stabilizing rural workforce needs, and improving financial viability—all while preserving the local identity and autonomy of each hospital. For our patients, this means general surgery at Coffey County Hospital with the people you know and trust.”

General Surgery Launch

The shared services partnership will initially focus on general surgery, with clinical expertise extended across both communities.

“As rural surgeons, we care deeply about keeping patients close to home,” said Dr. Landry, General Surgeon. “This model ensures patients in both Emporia and Burlington have expanded access to high-quality surgical care, delivered by a team that is aligned, coordinated, and committed to excellent outcomes.”

Orthopedics & Future Opportunities

As part of the agreement, specialty coverage—particularly in orthopedics—will grow through coordinated scheduling and shared clinical expertise. With the well-established strategic affiliation between Newman Regional Health and LMH Health OrthoKansas, this specialty coverage promises to ensure Coffey County residents have easy access to high-quality orthopedic care in the future.

“Orthopedic care is a major need across rural Kansas,” said Dr. Jordan Willis, orthopedic surgeon. “This partnership ensures patients won’t have to leave their community for comprehensive, skilled orthopedic care. It’s a win for both hospitals and, more importantly, for the people we serve.”

While services are already in place at Newman Regional Health, bringing orthopedic care back to Coffey County Hospital is still in the development stage.

Lindsay Baldwin, PA-C, Orthopedics, shared her enthusiasm for the collaborative model. “Working together helps us ensure seamless care between both systems. I’ve personally seen the benefits when OrthoKansas physicians treat patients in Emporia, and I’m looking forward to bringing that same level of care to Coffey County.”

Commitment to Rural Patients

Clinicians across both systems see this partnership as essential to strengthening the local healthcare safety net.

“This is exactly what rural healthcare should look like—providers working together sharing resources,” said CHS Chief Medical Officer John Shell, M.D. “This allows our patients to receive such services as colonoscopies, EGDs, gall bladder removals, appendectomies, hernia repairs, and other small procedures right here at their hometown hospital.”

A Model for Rural Collaboration

The landscape of rural healthcare is constantly changing, but collaborations like this benefit everyone.
“We are stronger together,” said Pimple. “Newman Regional Health and Coffey Health System share the same values, the same commitment to our communities, and the same dedication to rural healthcare.”
With rural hospitals across the nation closing or shuttering service lines, this arrangement offers positive news.
“As two independent community hospitals, we walk the fine line of being fiscally responsible and meeting our patients’ essential needs,” Augustyn said. “With this new agreement, both facilities continue to serve our patients—all while conserving resources that can ultimately go into additional services.”
Both health systems look forward to building a long, successful relationship that supports the health of patients and the vibrancy of the communities they serve.

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About Newman Regional Health: Newman Regional Health is a community hospital owned by the citizens of Lyon County, Kansas. Recognized as a Level IV Trauma Center, Newman Regional Health provides a full range of emergency, surgical, orthopedic, cardiac, PCI accredited Cath Lab, obstetrics, gynecology, laboratory, and primary care. There is a well-respected inpatient acute and medical rehabilitation services department with a simulated life-style training apartment. With a mission to improve health in the community by providing high quality care and a vision to be a valued, trusted partner and regional provider of exemplary services, Newman Regional Health is considered a top community hospital in Kansas.
For more information contact: Kacie Hastings Director of Marketing & Public Relations
(620) 343-6800 x22614