A central Kansas native is focusing on patient care today and into the future in her new position as administrator of the physician groups at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. Stephanie Waggoner was born in Hutchinson and grew up in Lyons.
“My responsibility is to ensure that the St. Rose physician groups are operating efficiently and have all the resources they need,” Waggoner said. “All of us are working together to provide high-quality health care.”
Specifically, Waggoner oversees the administrative operations of St. Rose Family Medicine & Urgent Care Clinic, Great Bend Internists and St. Rose Surgical Clinic.
“There is so much happening in health care today,” Waggoner noted. “There are new systems to be implemented, such as electronic medical records and an enhanced focus on wellness and preventive care. We must move in these directions to provide the best care for our patients and their families.”
Centura Health Physician Group employs Waggoner; Centura is St. Rose’s umbrella organization. In her new role, she also is administrator for several groups at St. Rose’s sister facility, St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.
“St. Rose’s association with Centura means more local resources – whether they be financial, or in equipment and personnel,” Waggoner said. “St. Rose will have access to a multitude of services that otherwise wouldn’t be available.
“We are aiming for efficiency and quality, which is what our communities need and deserve,” she added. “Centura is learning from St. Rose and vice versa. It really is the best of both worlds.”
Waggoner lives at Garden City but visits St. Rose at least once a week. Zena Jacobs is her right-hand woman for the local day-to-day operations.
“Zena is doing a great job and central Kansans should feel fortunate to have the caliber of personnel and services provided by St. Rose,” Waggoner said. “This is a beautiful facility with very professional, friendly people who are a joy to work with.”
Waggoner graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s in psychology and in 2002 with a master’s in lifespan human development; both degrees are from Kansas State University.
She worked in long-term health-care administration in El Paso, Texas, and also has experience in assisted living.
Most recently, Waggoner was chief executive officer of United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries. She served its clinics in Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal and Ulysses, which care for the uninsured and the under-insured.
“United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries provides clinical services to patients, with payment based on their income,” Waggoner said. “It provides medical and dental care, along with social services and education.
“All this experience is guiding me each day as I carry out my responsibilities,” she added. “I am thrilled to be part of this new era at St. Rose.”
Centura Health connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, home care and hospice services.