A new position at Central Kansas Medical Center was designed as a vehicle to help spread the word about the wide variety of services it offers throughout Barton and nearby counties, said Keith Herl, who is filling this physician liaison role.

"CKMC is always evaluating new ways to make life easier for patients and their families, not only in Great Bend but all around central Kansas," Herl said. "This new position reflects our commitment to working personally with physicians, and other healthcare providers and facilities to do just that."

Herl is serving as the liaison between CKMC and facilities that can benefit from its services. These include hospitals, clinics, specialty clinics, and even local and area businesses.

"The goal is always to provide seamless, quality healthcare," Herl said. "CKMC has the advantage in this area of providing a one-stop avenue to compassionate, professional services."

Herl has personally visited with healthcare professionals in many counties, including Barton, Rice, Russell, Ellis, Rush, Ness, Stafford, Pawnee, Pratt, Ellsworth and Hodgeman.

"The purpose of this team effort is to get out into central Kansas communities promoting our healthcare options," Herl said. "It is just one more step in our renewed focus on community service."

One of Herl’s main topics when visiting with healthcare providers is doctors’ referrals.

"We inform patients and physicians about the quality choices CKMC offers in-house and through our many outreach programs," Herl continued. "It’s a win-win situation for everyone – the patient because of the good referral and the physician because the patient appreciates that good referral. It builds trust between patient and doctor."

The CKMC services discussed during Herl’s travels include the Biggs Family Imaging Center and its advanced technology, laboratory, 5 North Clinic and its specialists, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, Women’s Health Center, Central Kansas Orthopaedics, St. Joseph Family Medicine, Great Bend Internists, Central Kansas Surgical Care, Heartland Cancer Center, Sleep/Wake Disorders Center, Rehab Services and the Emergency Room that is staffed with emergency-medicine specialists.

"This list demonstrates CKMC’s commitment to fulfill its mission to serve the entire community," Herl said. "That mission is to provide quality healthcare to everyone as close to home as possible."

Herl may be reached by calling 620-282-0395 or 620-792-2511.