Sunflower Bank and Hays Medical Center announce the creation of the Sunflower Bank Endowment of Hope, a permanent endowed fund providing much-needed funding for indigent care.

Sunflower Bank's gift to the Hays Medical Center Foundation totals $25,000, and the creation of the endowed fund provides an enduring legacy and consistent revenue to support Hays Medical Center departments, programs, and future endeavors.

"We are pleased to work with such an important organization to bolster health care in the Hays, Ellis County, and Western Kansas communities," said Sandy Jacobs, Executive Vice President of Sunflower Bank. "We pride ourselves on leadership in community development initiatives, and our support of quality health care. It's in that spirit we eagerly work with the HMC to establish this fund."

As with any endowed fund, the principal gift is never accessed, remaining in perpetuity with earnings providing consistent revenue streams for necessary HMC departments and programs, consistent with the purpose specified by the donor.

"This generous gift for an endowed fund will help provide financial stability for indigent care," stated Dr. John Jeter, president and CEO of Hays Medical Center. "We appreciate Sunflower Bank's commitment to quality healthcare for everyone."

The Hays Medical Center Foundation will administer the Endowment of Hope, with earnings earmarked for indigent care. Future contributions to the Sunflower Bank Endowment of Hope are added to the fund's principal balance.

The Hays Medical Center Foundation will administer the Endowment of Hope, with earnings earmarked for indigent care. Future contributions to the Sunflower Bank Endowment of Hope are added to the fund?s principal balance.

Sunflower Bank was founded in 1892 and is owned by the Hale family, with 34 locations throughout Kansas and Colorado.

A full-service financial provider, Sunflower Bank features personal banking solutions, mortgage loans, commercial and corporate services, and trust and wealth management services.

Sunflower Bank now counts more than $1.4 billion in assets. Its home office is located in Salina, Kansas, with other offices located in Colby, Dodge City, Ellinwood, Great Bend, Hays, Junction City, Lawrence, Liberal, Manhattan, McPherson, Osborne, Russell, Topeka, Victoria and Wichita, Kansas, and Cañon City, Monte Vista, Pueblo, Salida and South Fork, Colorado.

The Hays Medical Center Foundation formed in 1995 and is a charitable, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support the Hays Medical Center. The Foundation, in partnership with donors, seeks to meet both immediate and long- range health care needs. A 17-member volunteer board guides the efforts of the Foundation.

The Hays Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital formed by the 1991 merger of two religiously-affiliated facilities, and becoming the only major level service in the region.

HMC Launches RN Residency Program

Thanks to a donor's generosity, Hays Medical Center will launch a nurse residency program that will provide extensive trainng to newly hired nurses and recent graduates.

A $50,000 gift from Lillian Schumahcer, Victoria, assisted the Medical Center in purchasing the program.

"This gift is really an investment in Hays Medical Center that will help attract nurses to our area and benefit everyone in northwest Kansas," stated Schumacher.

"We're starting the RN residency program to help the new graduate registered nurse transition from the academic environment to become leaders at the bedside," said Bevra Brinkman, clinical nurse specialist.

The first class will begin in February for four newly recruited future graduates, and the hospital is hoping to add more, she said.

The training, which will last about 20 weeks, will focus on guided clinical experience, instructor-led core curriculum, a mentoring program, structured debriefing sessions and program evaluations. Residents do not hold primary responsibility for direct patient care; instead, they work under close supervision of an RN.

Approximately 20 percent of the nurses' time will be spent training with professional in various departments, including respiratory and cardiac care, pharmacy and radiology, Brinkman said.

RN residency programs are a growing trend in the medical field, and recent graduates seek such training experiences.

"New graduates are looking for these program," Brinkman said. "Historically, for the program, they're seeing an increase of individuals wanting to come to your organization to be a part of that program. So we're hoping that will have an incentive as well."

Curriculum for the HMC program will be provided by Versant, an evidence-based RN Residency program based in Los Angels. HMC is the first hospital in Kansas to use this program, said Chief Nursing Officer Terry Siek.

"It's part of our strategy to increase nurse recruitment and retention," Siek said. "If they have a better beginning experience, research proves that will lead them to want to stay."