Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute became the sixth healthcare organization to join the newly formed Southeast Kansas Health Cooperative (SEK Health).
“Our priority has always been the health of our community. Working alongside other regional providers through this cooperative allows us to share resources, improve coordination, and ensure patients continue to receive high quality care close to home,” Wendy Brazil, NMRMC CEO said.
Collaborations like SEK Health are becoming more common in healthcare, especially in rural areas. Across the country, health providers are partnering to address common challenges, and changes in healthcare regulations, while keeping care available close to home.
A Cooperative is a type of collaboration where member organizations agree to work together in specific areas while remaining separate and independent. Each organization keeps its own leadership, budget, and board. The goal is to improve access to care, share knowledge, and operate more efficiently—without merging or giving up local control.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, our newest charter member, to Southeast Kansas Health,” Kathi McKinney, SEK Health President said.
“Working together allows us to combine our strengths and patient-centered care to tackle the complex healthcare challenges and barriers that rural hospitals and healthcare organizations face. This is about moving beyond competition to focus on what matters most – sustaining exceptional, high-quality healthcare within our communities,” she added.
Federal and State Policy Encouraging Collaboration
The formation of SEK Health aligns with recent federal and state efforts to encourage regional healthcare partnerships. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which promotes collaboration among healthcare providers to strengthen rural health systems and improve long-term sustainability.
Kansas’ Rural Health Transformation Plan was awarded $221 million from the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program for the first of five years of funding. The state’s 2026 plan includes regional partnerships as being one of seven grant-funded priority areas.
“Welcoming Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center reinforces the strength of regional collaboration,” said Doug Wright, Interim CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.
“Together, we are building a more stable and sustainable healthcare system for southeast Kansas communities,” he added.
SEK Health’s board includes representatives of each member organization which include Four County Mental Health Center, Labette Center for Mental Health Services, Inc., Labette Health, Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Wilson Medical Center, and SEK Mental Health Center.
About Southeast Kansas Health
Southeast Kansas Health is a locally directed and governed strategic cooperation of healthcare organizations with similar leadership cultures and values. Its purpose is to work in collaboration with each other to achieve a sustainable healthcare model for southeast Kansas and its surrounding communities.