HaysMed proudly congratulates Sara Schulte from the HaysMed Foundation and Jana Zeller, Manager of Professional Development, on their graduation from the 2025 Leadership Hays program! We’re grateful for your dedication to personal growth and your continued commitment to advancing HaysMed and our community. Thank you for all that you do!

Leadership Hays is a 6-month program managed by the Hays Chamber of Commerce. According to their website, they are “a grassroots effort to provide community members with the skills and tools to provide civic engagement and civic leadership in Hays and Ellis County. We work with the Kansas Leadership Center and area organizations to provide a focused and engaging training program that will mobilize our community members to lead.”

Left to right: Jeff Brull, Executive Director of the HaysMed Foundation, Sara Schulte from the HaysMed Foundation, Jana Zeller, Manager of Professional Development, and Joben Rieth, Chief Nursing Officer

Improve and strengthen individuals and the Hays community by identifying, inspiring and involving those persons who have displayed a capacity for leadership.

Identify and motivate individuals who are committed to leadership and community trusteeship
Acquaint such individuals with the community’s continuing needs, challenges and resources
Offer opportunities for participants to explore and strengthen their personal leadership competencies
Develop a format for ongoing communication among emerging and established leaders

Each year, the Leadership Hays class creates a project that benefits children in the Hays community or surrounding area. Leadership Hays is a program of the Chamber in Hays, Kansas and is affiliated with the Kansas Leadership Center. It guides participants through the capacities needed in 21st century leaders. Contact the Chamber at (785) 628-8201 to find out how to register for an upcoming Leadership Hays session.

HaysMed is proud to recognize Sydni Herdt, a registered nurse in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU), as our newest HealthCare Champion. Sydni was honored after a grateful patient’s family shared a touching story of the exceptional compassion and care she provided. One family member offered the following heartfelt words:

“Sydni on the PCU Floor was very patient and compassionate with our father while he was having a difficult time after a stroke. She also took the time to call my sister and me and keep us updated regarding his progress. She was so kind and understanding. We couldn’t have asked for better care.”

In the photo, Sydni is joined by her fellow Associates at HaysMed: Batool, Sydni, Jade, Kaylee, and Ashley (front row), Brian, Mackenzie, Danelle, Karen, Eddie, and Jana (back row).

The HealthCare Champion program at HaysMed allows patients and their families to recognize those who made a special impact during their stay. There is no higher compliment than being acknowledged by a patient or family for exceptional care.

Do you have a HealthCare Champion at HaysMed who touched your life? Visit the HaysMed Foundation HealthCare Champion website to share your story and help us celebrate the heroes among us.

In the photo, Sydni is joined by her fellow Associates at HaysMed: Batool, Sydni, Jade, Kaylee, and Ashley (front row), Brian, Mackenzie, Danelle, Karen, Eddie, and Jana (back row).

HaysMed is proud to announce it has achieved Gold Level Recognition for its efforts in the Fourth Trimester Initiative, a maternal health quality improvement program led by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in collaboration with the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC).

The Fourth Trimester Initiative focuses on enhancing maternal health outcomes by prioritizing continuity of care, mental health support, breastfeeding assistance, and individualized follow-up during the critical months following childbirth. This Gold Level recognition highlights HaysMed’s leadership in advancing postpartum care through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach for its patients in Hays and western Kansas.

“It was an honor to receive this award on behalf of our Birth Center” said Jessica Seib, HaysMed Staff Development Coordinator. “It reflects our commitment to supporting mothers and families during one of the most important transitions in their lives. We are proud to implement practices that place maternal well-being at the forefront.”

Through ongoing education, community engagement, and strong clinical partnerships, HaysMed continues to enhance the quality and accessibility of prenatal and postpartum services for families across the region.

To learn more about HaysMed’s Birth Center services, please call 785-623-5000 or visit HaysMed Birth Center.

Related articles: HaysMed Birth Center Enhances Maternal Healthcare in Western Kansas

Jessica Seib, HaysMed Staff Development Coordinator (left) and KPQC Advisory Committee Chairperson Dr. Parul Nguyen (right)

HaysMed receives KPQC Gold Level recognition certificate

HaysMed proudly announces the successful completion of its first Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) procedure, performed on May 14, 2025, by Dr. Jacob Morgan, Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist, in collaboration with the HaysMed Catheterization Laboratory team.

This milestone marks a significant advancement in cardiac care for the region, as HaysMed becomes one of the first facilities in western Kansas to utilize the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System- a newly FDA-approved technology for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

PFA represents a next-generation approach to cardiac ablation. Unlike traditional thermal ablation methods that use extreme heat or cold to destroy problematic heart tissue, the FARAPULSE system employs non-thermal, tissue-selective electric fields. This innovation minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding structures while maintaining high efficacy in treating AFib.

“Patients are increasingly aware of new treatment options like PFA,” said Dr. Morgan. “We are pleased to offer this cutting-edge technology to our community. The incidence of atrial fibrillation continues to rise, and having access to safer, faster, and more effective therapies allows us to improve outcomes and expand care to more patients.”

According to Boston Scientific, the FARAPULSE PFA System has demonstrated comparable effectiveness to traditional radiofrequency ablation, with added benefits of reduced procedure time and enhanced safety. The system has been used successfully worldwide and is now available in the U.S. following regulatory approval.

“Introducing this technology at HaysMed is a major step forward for cardiac care in our region,” Dr. Morgan added. “We are excited to bring this innovation to patients in Hays and across western Kansas.”

To learn more about how the FARAPULSE PFA System works, including a visual overview of the procedure, please watch the video provided by Boston Scientific: Deep Dive into FARAPULSE™: PFA System Workflow Animation.

Photo includes front row from left to right: Carmen Keller, HaysMed CVOR/Cath Lab Manager, Dr. Jacob Morgan HaysMed Electrophysiology Cardiologist, and Autumn Robbins, RN HaysMed Cath Lab. Back row left to right: Neal Hanson Afib Solutions Territory Manager Boston Scientific Corporation, Justin Baalmann Cardiac Rhythm Management Territory Manager Boston Scientific Corporation, Daniel Cooper Afib Solutions Mapping Specialist Boston Scientific Corporation, and Carly Leiker HaysMed CV Lab Technologist.

Photo includes front row from left to right: Carmen Keller, HaysMed CVOR/Cath Lab Manager, Dr. Jacob Morgan HaysMed Electrophysiology Cardiologist, and Autumn Robbins, RN HaysMed Cath Lab. Back row left to right: Neal Hanson Afib Solutions Territory Manager Boston Scientific Corporation, Justin Baalmann Cardiac Rhythm Management Territory Manager Boston Scientific Corporation, Daniel Cooper Afib Solutions Mapping Specialist Boston Scientific Corporation, and Carly Leiker HaysMed CV Lab Technologist.