The community gave St. Rose Health Center a hearty welcome Wednesday evening at the facility’s grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, said Mark Mingenback, director of public relations and marketing.

          “We were overwhelmed with gratitude at this great turnout,” Mingenback said. “All of us hear words of support for St. Rose every day. But it was great to see this heartwarming level of interest in our new state-of-the-art facility.”

          St. Rose Site Manager Zena Jacobs greeted the crowd with a few opening remarks that were followed by comments from Scott Taylor, chief executive officer of Centura Kansas, and Dr. John Jeter, chief executive officer of Hays Medical Center.

          HaysMed and Centura co-own St. Rose.

          In addition, Tom Bell, president of the Kansas Hospital Association, spent a few minutes at the microphone congratulating St. Rose’s owners, employees and the community.

          “It would be an understatement to say that our speakers were impressed with the quality and quantity of services we provide,” Mingenback said. “While Mr. Taylor and Dr. Jeter have supported us through every phase of this journey, they emphasized that the results of our collaboration have exceeded expectations.

          “Mr. Bell’s comments about St. Rose being at the forefront of this new era in health care also were gratifying,” Mingenback added. “Our comprehensive services, new outpatient surgery suite, and focus on wellness and preventive medicine define this new world of health-care reform.”

          Mingenback also noted that St. Rose administrators, health-care providers and other staff members appreciate those who took the time for the guided tours of each department.

“The tours were a real eye-opener for the dozens and dozens of people who got an up-close look at our new facility,” Mingenback said. “It is safe to say they left here impressed.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, infusion clinic, WellnessWorks, one-day surgical procedures, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. St. Rose is co-owned by Hays Medical Center and Centura Health.