photo of: LMH Health
Karin Rexroad peeks through the bore of the PET-CT scanner acquired by LMH Health last summer.
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to look back on the moments that defined the last 12 months. Whether it’s the addition of new technologies, infrastructure improvements, or the addition of new providers, it’s been a busy year at LMH Health. Let’s look back at some of our achievements in 2024.
Renovations of the Cancer Center
The need for cancer care in our community continues to increase each year. The LMH Health Cancer Center has grown to offer more than 19,000 patient encounters per year, while continuing to operate in the same space where we cared for 2,400 patients in 2001.
In June, much-needed renovations began to improve the space and significantly expand the LMH Health Cancer Center. Improvements will include:
• More treatment and examination rooms.
• Larger waiting room with respite space for families.
• Two laboratory areas.
• Patient education and consultation rooms.
• Natural lighting for the comfort of the patient and their family.
LMH Health Foundation donors have provided more than $7.2 million in philanthropic support for the project. The new cancer center is expected to be completed in mid-2025, culminating with a community-wide grand opening to celebrate this remarkable achievement.
Recognition of expertise in arthroplasty
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas recognized LMH Health as a Blue+ Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement surgery in May. Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Knee and Hip Replacement Centers demonstrate expertise in total knee and hip replacements, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions.
“This designation is an extremely important milestone demonstrating LMH Health and OrthoKansas’ commitment to the highest quality, most cost-effective total joint care,” said Dr. Adam Goodyear, orthopedic surgeon at OrthoKansas and vice-president. chief of staff of LMH Health. “People in the community and surrounding areas can be confident that they will receive comprehensive shared care that rivals that provided anywhere in the country. »
Blue Distinction centers for knee and hip replacement include hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, or ASCs. All designated facilities must maintain national accreditation and ASCs must also hold advanced orthopedic certification. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20% more profitable for an episode of care than other establishments.
LMH Health obtains heart failure accreditation
In June, the American College of Cardiology ACC recognized LMH Health with accreditation for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with heart failure.
“This accreditation demonstrates the quality of care provided at LMH Santé. Heart failure patients often affect the entire continuum of care, including primary care, emergency department and hospital settings,” said Christina Salazar, cardiologist at Lawrence Cardiovascular Specialists and medical director of the ACC Heart Failure Accreditation. “The collaboration between these teams and their commitment to providing exceptional care makes this accreditation possible.
PET scanner unveiled
LMH Health introduced a permanent on-site positron emission tomography, or PET, scanner in July. As the only permanent PET/CT scanner performing cardiac studies outside of metropolitan Kansas City, the technology is available to provider-referred oncology and cardiology patients.
“PET can identify a metabolic disease rather than just an anatomical pathology as seen on CT or MRI,” said Dr. Thomas Grillot, director of the radiology department at LMH Health and radiologist of the professional radiology services. “This information has important diagnostic implications in several areas, including oncology, cardiology and neurology. »
The acquisition of the PET/CT scanner was made possible in part by donations from donors and corporate partners, including funds raised through the LMH Health Foundation’s biennial Hearts of Gold Gala and the Penny Jones Golf Tournament .
An innovative agreement leads to a sustainable option
Starting in August, LMH Health began using a safer, more sustainable option for medical waste disposal through a partnership with WasteMedX. LMH leads the nation in this commitment as the first community hospital in the United States and one of five hospitals nationally with this technology.
WasteMedX uses ozone treatment technology to provide healthcare organizations with safe, environmentally friendly and more affordable medical waste disposal. It sterilizes and destroys biohazards, including traces of chemotherapy and non-hazardous prescriptions, pathological waste, sharps and documents containing personal health information, reducing waste volume by up to 90%.
In addition to reducing the healthcare system’s carbon footprint, WasteMedX is financially sustainable. LMH Health estimates saving $78,000 over five years and $329,000 over the 10-year agreement with this green technology.
New doctors/APPs
People are at the heart of our healthcare system. LMH Health has hired or contracted nearly 40 physicians, advanced practice providers or APPs and other clinicians to join our medical staff in 2024, including:
• Gastroenterology: Alka Hudson, MD.
• Hospitalist: Ryan Hokesema, PA.
• Interventional Cardiology: Aaron Doonan, MD.
• Orthopedics: Cole McGregor, MD; Jordan Willis, MD; Ryan Xiao, MD.
• Primary care: Savannah Ericksen, DO; Desiree Gleason, DO; Alex Winkler, MD.
• Rheumatology: Joy-Ann Tabanor-Gayle, MD.
• Spine: Hemil Maniar, MD.
We also added three new members to the LMH Health leadership team.
• Jan Wiebe joined the organization in 2017 as director of the emergency department and assumed the role of chief nursing officer at the end of March. Prior to working at LMH, Wiebe worked for Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics for 28 years.
• Rob Chestnut is a familiar face at LMH Health. Before being named CFO in March, Chestnut served on the board for 12 years and chaired the finance committee for six years. In addition to his work as an administrator, Chestnut previously served on the Lawrence City Commission.
• Ron Baker joined LMH Health in August as senior vice president of operations and clinical enterprise, supporting more than 160 physicians, advanced practice providers and other clinicians across the health system. Baker has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare management and leadership. Prior to joining LMH, he served as vice president of medical services for Advent Health in Overland Park.
As we reflect on 2024, we are grateful for the progress we have made. Welcoming new medical staff has strengthened our ability to provide exceptional care. Renovations and advanced technologies have enhanced the patient experience and improved outcomes, and the new accreditations demonstrate our commitment to you, our patients. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey this year, and here’s to an even better future.
— Autumn Bishop is a marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health.