The impact of a rural hospital on its community is often measured in the specifics of care that it provides. Oftentimes, a rural hospital is the sole provider of emergency, primary, and specialized care for a population that would otherwise have to travel long distances for medical treatment.
In 2025, the North Central Kansas Medical Center (NCKMC) had 3134 total emergency room visits and almost 17,000 total Family Care Center visits. The walk-in clinic saw almost 6,000 people.
But beyond healthcare, a rural hospital is a major economic driver, often ranking among the top three employers in its community. It provides high-paying jobs, stable job security, and contributes to the overall health of other local businesses.
NCKMC accounts for about 142 hospital sector jobs and about 75 additional non-healthcare jobs. The total income for direct and indirect jobs related to NCKMC is over $16 million. It is estimated that those employees spend almost $7 million within their communities, which generates $132,900 in local sales tax.
A hospital will treat anyone, regardless of insurance. NCKMC estimates it provided over $500,000 in charity care to patients in 2025.
NCKMC also provided 438 free sports physicals for local student/athletes, which equates to a donation back to the community of $15,000.
"Citizens of Cloud County have long trusted North Central Kansas Medical Center for their healthcare needs. What they may not always see is the significant economic impact the hospital brings to our community," said Dave Garnas, the Vice President of System Operations for Salina Regional Health Center. "As one of the county’s largest private employers, we contribute meaningfully to local sales tax revenue and overall economic stability. We also serve as a primary healthcare destination for patients traveling from outside the county, strengthening Cloud County’s retail pull factor."
NCKMC was awarded the Get With The Guidelines Rural Stroke Silver Award by the American Heart Association. The first new home was built on land NCKMC donated to the city of Concordia from the site of the former hospital.
Perhaps one of the strongest indicators of a medical facility's strength and viability is its turnover rate - the percentage of employees who leave a company voluntarily or involuntarily over a specific period of time and need to be replaced. Turnover rate is a key indicator of a company's culture and workforce stability, with low rates signaling strong management and high morale.
NCKCM has a remarkably low turnover rate of 6.34%, far below the national average of 22.7% for a hospital, and significantly lower than the Kansas average of 15.1%.
"We are proud to serve this community and remain committed to delivering high-quality care while continuing to grow our positive impact in the years ahead," said Garnas.
