Strengthening Rural Communities Through Healthcare:
Prime’s Commitment to Access and Care
Rural America is the backbone of our nation’s agriculture, energy production, and industry. Rural communities thrive on resilience, hard work, and community, but the one thing they cannot afford to lose is access to healthcare. Rural hospitals serve as safe harbors to those communities, providing critical care, creating jobs, and supporting the overall well-being of the population.
However, the reality around rural healthcare in the U.S. is stark. With more than 700 rural hospitals in the U.S. at-risk of closure, a major reckoning looms. (Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform (CHQPR) 2024.)
In the face of this crisis, Prime Healthcare has emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicated to keeping these vital facilities open and thriving. In 2022, Prime saw a greater need to focus on the challenges of rural health care. Prime formed a new leadership role and hired Ken Park as the Vice President of Rural Strategy. Ken focuses on the development and management of rural health clinics throughout Prime, identifying sites for rural health clinics and overseeing the launch and operational activities while maintaining financial stewardship and profitability.
“Rural facilities are more than just buildings, they are lifelines for the communities they serve,” Park said. “Prime Healthcare’s mission is clear: to preserve rural healthcare facilities, ensuring that communities survive and thrive with access to high-quality, compassionate care. At the heart of this mission is the commitment to putting patients first—delivering care that is local, personal, and accessible.”
One such rural hospital is Saint John Hospital, nestled in the small town of Leavenworth, Kansas. For over 150 years, Saint John has stood as a pillar of the community, delivering compassionate care to local families, and earning awards in quality care and patient safety.
For Kay and Rob Ewert, lifelong residents and third-generation farmers, Saint John is more than just a hospital—it’s a second home.
“We’ve had great care at Saint John for over 60 years,” Kay Ewert said, her voice full of pride and gratitude. “As farmers, we face all kinds of risks every day. We work cattle, grow crops, and know that any moment something could go wrong.”
Her husband recalled a recent injury: “I broke my arm working cattle. The orthopedic doctor at Saint John was kind and quick to act. When you’re dealing with an unhappy cow, you want to be checked out right away because you never know the severity of the injury.”
For the Ewerts, the next nearest hospital to their home is located more than an hour away – a distance that could mean the difference between life and death.
“It would be devastating to lose Saint John,” Kay continues. “We would be lost without it.”
Their story is a testament to the importance of local healthcare, but it’s not the only one. In East Liverpool, Ohio, another rural community faces similar challenges. Darlene Kinsey, the Community Outreach Coordinator for the East Liverpool Health Department, has lived in the area her entire life. She is intimately familiar with the vital role that East Liverpool City Hospital plays in the town, not only as a healthcare provider but as a key employer.
“Over the years, nine of my family members have worked at East Liverpool City Hospital,” Darlene shares. “All of my children were born there; it’s been a huge part of our lives.”
Darlene’s connection to the hospital took on even greater significance in 2020 when she experienced a sudden heart attack and needed care immediately.
“I don’t know what would have happened if I had to drive over an hour to another hospital.”
While Darlene was later transferred to another facility for surgery, she credits East Liverpool City Hospital with saving her life.
“The care they provided was exceptional. They were professional, compassionate, and they knew me. That makes all the difference.”
Like Kay and Rob Ewert, Darlene understands the profound impact that rural hospitals have on their communities.
“Our population has shrunk, and families have been forced to move away because healthcare isn’t as accessible,” Darlene said. “If East Liverpool City Hospital were to close, it would be a major blow to the community. It would force even more people to leave, and it would hurt the quality of care for those who remain.”
The experiences of the Ewerts and Darlene Kinsey reflect the broader challenges facing rural healthcare in America. Prime Healthcare has recognized and reacted to these challenges. With 44 hospitals nationwide, Prime Healthcare is dedicated to preserving healthcare services in rural areas, where the need is greatest. It is Prime’s mission to save hospitals and ensure that rural and underserved communities across the country continue to have access to the care they need.
Ken Park underscores the importance of strengthening primary care services. “At Prime Healthcare, our strategy is driven by a focus on caring for our patients and meeting their diverse needs across both rural and urban regions. We are committed to expanding access to essential primary care services, investing in modernizing hospital infrastructure, improving access to specialty care, and expanding telemedicine services that connect patients with care they otherwise wouldn’t receive. By strengthening primary care, we can help patients avoid more serious health issues down the line and ensure that healthcare is more proactive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of individuals and families.”
He added, “Our goal is to make sure that these hospitals are not just here for today but are positioned to serve their communities for generations. We invest in infrastructure, bring in new technology like telemedicine, and ensure that these hospitals have the resources they need to provide high-quality care, whether that’s through emergency services, specialist care, or routine checkups.”
For Darlene, Prime Healthcare’s dedication is personal: “Prime keeps communities together by investing in rural hospitals. It’s life-changing.”