Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) and the Foundation of NMRMC are pleased to announce the award of nearly $1.9 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressional Community Project Funding to support critical healthcare improvements that will expand rehabilitation services and modernize diagnostic imaging capabilities for Southeast Kansas residents.
Congressman Derek Schmidt secured $688,000 in federal funding for essential medical imaging equipment, including a TIMS 2000 SP Mobile Cart Package, Emergency Department Digital X-Ray System, two LOGIQ E10 Ultrasound Units, and a Portable C-Arm imaging system. Senator Jerry Moran secured an additional $1.22 million to support construction of a shelled space that will be developed into a state-of-the-art Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center on the NMRMC campus.
Together, these investments will strengthen access to advanced healthcare services for patients across Southeast Kansas and neighboring communities while supporting NMRMC’s commitment to delivering high-quality care close to home.
“These federal investments represent a tremendous commitment to the health and well-being of the patients and communities we serve,” said Wendy Brazil, Chief Executive Officer of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. “Healthcare technology continues to evolve rapidly, and these investments will allow us to enhance our diagnostic capabilities, improve workflow efficiencies, and expand access to specialized rehabilitation services. Most importantly, they help ensure patients throughout Southeast Kansas can continue receiving high-quality care close to home.”
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to be among the nation’s leading causes of death. NMRMC’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides essential services to patients throughout a 40-mile radius, helping individuals recover from cardiac events and manage chronic pulmonary conditions through supervised exercise, education, and ongoing support.
Research consistently demonstrates the life-changing benefits of rehabilitation services. Studies show that cardiac rehabilitation patients who attend as few as five sessions reduce their hospital readmission risk by 10 percent, while patients who complete all 36 sessions reduce readmissions by 50 percent and experience a 45 percent reduction in mortality over the following decade.
NMRMC’s program continues to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients. In 2024, participants experienced:
- 143% improvement in six-minute walk test performance
- 65% improvement in emotional health scores (PHQ-9)
- 40% improvement in quality-of-life measures
- 25% improvement in shortness-of-breath symptoms
- 49% improvement in physical fitness levels
- 22% improvement in healthy nutrition scores
- 98% patient satisfaction rate
“The demand for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services continues to grow throughout Southeast Kansas,” said Amanda Hamilton, Director of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. “This expansion will allow us to serve more patients, provide additional resources for recovery, and continue delivering the exceptional outcomes our program is known for. Access to rehabilitation services can improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and help patients return to the activities they enjoy most.”
The new rehabilitation center will provide dedicated space designed specifically to meet the growing needs of the program and the patients it serves. The expansion will support increased participation and enhance the patient experience while ensuring the program remains accessible to communities throughout the region.
In addition to expanding rehabilitation services, the funding will modernize critical imaging technology used throughout the hospital. New equipment will enhance emergency care, surgical imaging, women’s health services, and diagnostic capabilities across multiple departments.
NMRMC remains one of the few hospitals in Southeast Kansas offering obstetrical services and continues to serve as a regional healthcare destination for families throughout the area. The addition of advanced ultrasound technology will provide enhanced imaging capabilities that support physicians and expectant mothers with high-quality diagnostic information close to home.
“This funding reflects what can happen when community leaders, healthcare advocates, and elected officials work toward a shared goal of improving healthcare access,” said Kelli Olson, Imaging Services Director. “These projects will have a lasting impact on healthcare in Southeast Kansas and help ensure patients have access to advanced services without leaving the communities they call home.”
“The Foundation is proud to support projects that create lasting benefits for our patients and communities,” said Anna Methvin, Director of the Foundation of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. “These federal investments will strengthen healthcare services for generations to come by providing the resources needed to expand rehabilitation programs and enhance diagnostic technology. We are grateful to Congressman Schmidt and Senator Moran for recognizing the importance of investing in rural healthcare and helping make these projects possible.”
Construction planning and equipment acquisition efforts will begin following final federal appropriations and project implementation processes.
