HaysMed is pleased to formally introduce its laborist team, a group of highly trained OB/GYN physicians committed to providing comprehensive labor and delivery coverage and gynecological care for our patients. This specialized team will oversee deliveries and inpatient obstetrical care during weekends and at times when Dr. Timothy Hoskins is unavailable, ensuring continuous, high‑quality maternity services.

The laborist team is composed of board‑certified OB/GYNs whom Dr. Hoskins knows personally and professionally, including a majority for more than 15 years. The physicians include Dr. Jordan Meyer, Dr. Mike Wolfe, Dr. Thalia Lopez, Dr. Deborah Taylor, and Dr. Dawne Jabben.

“This team exemplifies the values and standards that define obstetrical care at HaysMed,” said Dr. Hoskins. “I have complete confidence in this team and would send my own family members to each of these physicians without hesitation. They share our values, they’ve embraced Hays, and practice medicine the way we do in Western Kansas, with skill, heart, and integrity. With this incredible team of laborists on the floor, I know every patient’s birth experience is in the hands of experts whose entire focus is labor and delivery. This model strengthens care for our families and creates a better balance for physicians because when we work together, everyone benefits.”

This experienced team reflects HaysMed’s long‑standing commitment to providing exceptional, compassionate maternity care close to home. Their expertise and dedication will enhance the patient experience and further strengthen the high standards of our obstetrical and gynecological services, joining the skilled providers already serving our community, Dr. Hoskins, Paula Bitter, APRN, and Anne Marie Hager, APRN.

For more information, please visit the Center for Women’s Health or the Birth Center.

Relevant articles:
NICU Awareness Month: A Closer Look at HaysMed’s Neonatal Care Services
Advancing Women’s Health in Western Kansas – Dr. Hoskins and the Power of Robotic Surgery
Empowering Mothers Through Breastfeeding Support at HaysMed
HaysMed Earns Gold Level Recognition for Excellence in Fourth Trimester Initiative
HaysMed Birth Center Enhances Maternal Healthcare in Western Kansas

HaysMed and The Center for Health Improvement (CHI) are proud to partner with the Hays Senior Center at the new Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center to support the health and wellness of seniors in our community. Through this collaboration, seniors can enjoy free programs and resources designed to encourage active living, preventive care, and long-term well‑being.

Weekly Fitness Classes by CHI

As part of this partnership, CHI offers a variety of free, weekly fitness classes tailored to help seniors stay strong, mobile, and independent. Class schedules are available on the Hays Senior Center Facebook page. Current offerings include:

• Senior Strength – Build and maintain muscle for everyday activities
• Chair Yoga – Gentle movements to improve flexibility and relaxation
• Mobility & Stretch – Enhance balance, mobility, and range of motion

“HaysMed and The Center for Health Improvement are thrilled to support the new Hays Senior Center by providing educational resources and wellness programs. Our goal is to empower seniors with knowledge and tools that promote healthy, active living and improve overall quality of life,” said Stephanie Howie, Director of The Center for Health Improvement.

Heather Ver Woert, CHI group fitness instructor, health coach, and personal trainer, guides participants through the Senior Strength wellness class at the new Hays Senior Center.

Monthly “A Healthy Conversation” Presentations by HaysMed

Along with the weekly fitness classes, HaysMed is launching a series of 30‑minute monthly educational sessions at the Senior Center, each focused on a key health topic relevant to older adults. The series began in January with a presentation from the HaysMed Human Trafficking Committee member, Jaylea Black, which provided valuable information on recognizing the signs of human trafficking and understanding its impact within our community.

Upcoming topics include:

• February: Heart Health
• March: Colorectal Health
• April: Fall Prevention
• May: Signs & Symptoms of Stroke
• June: Benefits of Exercise
• July: Importance of Skin Care & Sun Protection
• August: Importance of Immunizations
• September: Sepsis Awareness
• October: Breast Cancer Awareness
• November: Diabetes Management
• December: Healthy Holiday Eating

A Commitment to Community
“Supporting the health and well-being of our community is at the heart of everything we do,” said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO of HaysMed. “Partnering with the Hays Senior Center allows us to bring valuable education and resources directly to seniors, helping them live healthier, more active lives.”

HaysMed is proud to support the senior community by providing education, resources, and opportunities to stay healthy and engaged. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for seniors in Hays!

   
Left photo: Stephanie Howie, Director of The Center for Health Improvement, kicks off the debut of the new education series, “A Healthy Conversation.”
Right photo: HaysMed’s Jaylea Black, LSCSW and Case Manager, presents on human trafficking awareness and warning signs.

At HaysMed, our story is one of strength, commitment, and forward momentum.

Like rural hospitals across the country, we are navigating real economic pressures. But what matters most is how we respond, and we are proud of that response.

We proudly invest in our Associates by paying competitive, market-based compensation that reflects their expertise and dedication to HaysMed. In the past two years alone, we’ve increased staff compensation by $8 million because caring for our people is essential to caring for Western Kansas.

That commitment shows. We are especially proud that our nursing turnover rate remains well below the national average. In an industry facing widespread staffing challenges, retaining skilled nurses speaks volumes about our workplace and our people.

Thanks to strong stewardship and responsible leadership, HaysMed is stable, open, and serving our region every day. Our financial performance has improved significantly year over year, and we have a clear plan to return fully to the black,  all while continuing to expand access to care.

We are not standing still. We are:

• Recruiting more providers
• Expanding service lines
• Increasing access to care close to home
• Advocating relentlessly for rural health care

HaysMed continues to fight for Medicare and Medicaid reform, in Kansas and in Washington, DC, because fair reimbursement is critical for rural hospitals and the patients who depend on them. We remain strong advocates for Medicaid expansion and policies that protect access to care for Western Kansas families.

Most importantly, we are deeply honored to serve this community. Every day, our teams show up with skill, compassion, and pride, and that is something no balance sheet can measure. And those team members are your neighbors, family, and friends.

Rural health care matters. Western Kansas matters. And HaysMed is here, today and for the future.