Three founding members of the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees have retired, leaving a legacy of success for the past nine years, said Foundation Director Julie Bugner-Smith.
Suzan Haynes, Kyle Beckwith and Bill Barger served on the trustee board since its inception.
“Suzan, Kyle and Bill have helped with many projects, including the 3D mammography campaign, which was a huge success,” Bugner-Smith said. “They have volunteered countless hours to the board, our annual Gala and numerous other activities.
“These individuals were key to starting the Foundation,” she continued. “The trustees are the backbone of the Foundation, while serving as its representatives in the community.
“Current trustees are fortunate to have a solid base to build on in the coming years. They are instrumental in taking on tasks and continuing the Foundation’s mission, which is ‘Advancing Quality Healthcare in Pawnee County.’”
Suzan Haynes
The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus has “a very special place in my heart,” Haynes said. “Emergency room personnel saved my husband’s life a number of years ago.
“Also, I wanted to be a trustee because giving back to the community has always been important to me.”
The Foundation has tackled many projects during the retiring members’ tenure on the board. “I am proud of all these activities, including the MRI and the 3D mammography technology,” Haynes commented. “However, there have been quite a number of smaller projects that have made such a difference in the lives of patients and staff members.”
These include: scales for the clinic; balance assessment and conditioning equipment for physical therapy; VitalStim machine for speech therapy; portable x-ray; patient lift; trauma carts; and mower for the maintenance department.
“We know that newcomers to the board will keep up the good work and enjoy serving with a wonderful group of people,” Haynes said. “Julie is an amazing director and we have a hospital we can all be proud of.”
Kyle Beckwith
Beckwith joined the board in the beginning because “we need a hospital that can deliver the best in high-quality health care. Serving as a trustee is a way we can help make that happen, while giving back to our community.”
He is especially proud of securing the MRI and CT technology. “Most smaller hospitals do not provide this state-of-the-art equipment,” Beckwith said. “We are very fortunate.
“Also, we are grateful to all the Foundation supporters,” Beckwith added. “They have demonstrated what this hospital and quality health care mean to the Pawnee County area.”
He encouraged current trustees to have “open minds and trust in people.”
Bill Barger
While Barger said the trustees could be proud of all their accomplishments, he made special note of them being good stewards of the funds donated to the Foundation.
“The trustees are actively involved in fundraising to buy state-of-the-art equipment to give patients high-quality treatment,” Barger commented. “They spend this money wisely so the hospital can provide excellent health care close to home.”
Barger volunteered to serve as a trustee because “health care in a smaller town is very important. This community got behind this project and built this new, beautiful facility. In many cases, patients can receive treatment here, thus reducing travel time and stress.”
The retired trustee also noted that “Director Julie Bugner-Smith does a great job of coordinating our fundraising events. I cannot say enough about her. Julie is a hard worker and has good ideas.”
Barger suggested newcomers to the board should consider Bugner-Smith’s ideas and feel free to mention their own thoughts. I hope they enjoy serving on this necessary board like I did.”
Current trustees are Lewis Young, emeritus; President Laura Smith; Vice President Meribeth Busenbark; Secretary Jim Delaney; Treasurer Janis Yeager; and Jon Skelton, Melanie Urban and Vicki Spina.
