Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC) and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) announced Wednesday they are working together to explore options to preserve access to local healthcare services for communities across southeast Kansas.
In the wake of last week’s suspension of SEKMHC Chief Executive Officer Nathan Fawson and announcement to employees that SEKMHC will transition away from primary care and dental services and refocus on behavioral health care, SEKMHC entered collaborative discussions with Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.
Healthcare leaders from both organizations emphasized that these discussions reflect a shared commitment to thoughtful planning, collaboration, and community stability as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve.
SEKMHC Interim CEO Doug Wright said in a joint statement “The strength of healthcare in southeast Kansas comes from commitment. Even as healthcare—particularly rural healthcare—faces ongoing challenges, we continue to adapt. These discussions reflect our continued focus on serving our clients and patients with excellent care.”
NMRMC CEO Wendy Brazil added “For 75 years, NMRMC has been dedicated to our mission of promoting, improving, and restoring health, and we are committed to preserving local access to care. This is an opportunity to strengthen coordination between hospital and clinic providers, improve continuity of care, and enhance the overall patient experience for the communities we serve,” Wendy Brazil, NMRMC CEO added.
At this time, no immediate changes are being made to services. Patients should continue to access care as they normally would, and details regarding any potential transitions are still under evaluation. Behavioral health services provided by SEKMHC will continue without interruption and will remain central to the organization’s mission.
The statement said both SEKMHC and NMRMC are committed to transparency and will share additional information with patients, staff, and the community when decisions are finalized. Community members are encouraged to continue utilizing their current providers and services during the exploratory period.
The statement closed by saying “Guided by a shared value system and long-standing working relationships, these organizations have worked side by side with a common goal: providing the highest quality care to patients while supporting the communities and families they serve.”
