HaysMed Launches Donor Human Milk Program Through Mothers’ Milk Bank
A Full‑Circle Moment for First Recipient Family

HaysMed is proud to announce it now offers pasteurized donor human milk to newborn patients through a new partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank, making HaysMed one of the few locations in Kansas, and the only site in western Kansas, to both collect and dispense donor human milk. Although HaysMed has served as a donation and collection site since 2017, this expansion marks a major milestone in the level of support available to local families.

That milestone became even more meaningful when the very first babies to receive donor milk through the new partnership were twins Lyla and Carter Whisman, children of a mother who once donated milk herself.

Cammie and Geoffrey Whisman of Palco, Kansas, welcomed their fifth and sixth children, twins Lyla and Carter, in March. Delivered at 35 weeks by Dr. Timothy Hoskins, the twins were born preterm, and one required specialized care in the HaysMed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Cammie and Geoffrey Whisman welcomed their fifth and sixth children, twins Lyla and Carter.

As Lyla and Carter began their recovery, the twins needed specialized feeding support, an extremely common experience for preterm newborns. Because of the new partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank, the care team at HaysMed was able to provide safe, pasteurized donor human milk immediately to support the twins during those first crucial days.

What makes Cammie’s story remarkable is that in January 2020, after a previous birth, she donated over 230 ounces of her own milk through HaysMed’s donation center.

Now, in 2026, her twins became the first recipients of donor milk dispensed through HaysMed’s official partnership.

“It’s incredible that the twins are now the recipients of that same generosity,” said Jill Rozean, HaysMed Lactation Services. “It truly is full circle.”

Cammie says her experience only strengthened her belief in the Birth Center and NICU teams at HaysMed, “I would always recommend HaysMed for their Birth Center and OB-GYN services. The milk donor process is so smooth, super easy, and the nurses and staff are wonderful.”
 
Why Donor Human Milk Matters
According to Mothers’ Milk Bank, donor human milk is the first choice for infant feeding when a parent’s own milk is unavailable. Donor milk:

• supports fragile or premature infants
• reduces risk of early childhood diseases
• acts as a bridge until a parent’s milk supply is established
• preserves critical immune‑boosting and nutritional benefits

Every bottle of donor milk is carefully screened, pasteurized, and tested to meet rigorous safety standards before being distributed nationwide.

Bringing this service to HaysMed required extensive collaboration among several leaders within the organization. Jill Rozean from HaysMed Lactation Services, Jessica Seib, OB/NICU/PEDS Staff Development Coordinator, and Kristy Schlaefli, Director of Acute Care and Obstetrics, worked collectively to bring donor human milk directly to families in western Kansas. Together, they focused on strengthening HaysMed’s position as a comprehensive destination for high-quality maternity and infant care, ensuring that families have access to the advanced resources and support they need from pregnancy through postpartum.

How Families Can Access or Donate Milk
Families interested in receiving donor milk should speak with their HaysMed care team. To learn more about the milk donation process please visit Mothers’ Milk Bank or call 303‑869‑1888. To learn more about HaysMed’s Birth Center or to schedule a lactation consultation, call 785‑650‑2767 or visit the HaysMed Birth Center webpage.

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HaysMed’s Impact Through Milk Donation and Lactation Support

Empowering Mothers Through Breastfeeding Support at HaysMed

How to Donate Breast Milk

State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2025

HaysMed Birth Center Enhances Maternal Healthcare in Western Kansas

HaysMed Earns Gold Level Recognition for Excellence in Fourth Trimester Initiative

HaysMed and Gove County Medical Center (GCMC) are pleased to announce the launch of their strategic partnership formally began today, marking the next major milestone in the organizations’ shared commitment to strengthening rural healthcare in Gove County and the surrounding region.

This step follows the partnership agreement approved in late 2025 and builds on the longstanding relationship between the two hospitals. Under this affiliation, HaysMed will provide resource and operational support, while GCMC continues to maintain its name, identity, leadership and locally elected board.

“We’re excited to partner with HaysMed so we can continue doing all the great things we currently do at Gove County Medical Center, while also growing and expanding the care and resources we provide,” said Douglas J. Gruenbacher, M.D., GCMC Family Practice, Obstetrics. “Most importantly, nothing will change how we love and care for our patients. This is the future of healthcare, and we’re thankful to be part of it.”

Early kickoff priorities include aligning electronic health record systems, expanding access to visiting specialists, and supporting staff through integrated clinical and operational processes. Both organizations emphasize that the partnership is designed to enhance local care, not replace it.

“This work reflects our joint commitment to keeping healthcare accessible, sustainable, and rooted in the communities we serve,” said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO at HaysMed. “We are proud to move into this next phase together.”

GCMC CEO Conner Fiscarelli added, “The extensive and thorough work by both teams to make this partnership happen will bring long-term benefits to our patients, providers, and neighbors across Gove County. I’ve grown to love this community and the incredible staff who make Gove County Medical Center so special. As we begin this new chapter with HaysMed, I’m excited to see our services grow and expand while continuing to care for our patients with the same heart that defines rural healthcare.”

Community members will receive regular updates as the partnership progresses. For more information, visit gcmc.org/rural-health-reimagined.

About HaysMed
Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the destination for rural health, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center.

Other services include rehabilitation, hospice, neonatal, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center and a Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Center. HaysMed is proud to be one of only 20 U.S. hospitals recognized by Vizient in 2023 as a Top Performer in the Complex Care Medical Center cohort. In 2024, HaysMed was named as one of the top 100 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association and earned the prestigious five-star designation in the 2024 CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. Learn more at haysmed.com.

About Gove County Medical Center
Gove County Medical Center (GCMC) has been serving the healthcare needs of northwest Kansas since 1925. As a critical access hospital in Quinter, Kansas, GCMC is dedicated to providing person-centered care to the residents of Gove County and surrounding areas. With a mission to enhance lives through the right care at the right time, close to home. GCMC offers services ranging from outpatient care to acute medical care services including 24/7 emergency care. Learn more at gcmc.org.

Related information:

HaysMed, Gove County Medical Center Announce New Partnership to Strengthen Healthcare in Quinter & Beyond

GCMC-HaysMed Partnership FAQs

Rural Health Reimagined – HaysMed-GCMC Intent to Partner

HaysMed has officially launched its new QLess Kiosk system, a significant enhancement to the patient registration process at Miller Pavilion, Entrance B. This virtual queuing technology represents another step forward in the hospital’s ongoing efforts to improve patient comfort, reduce bottlenecks, and streamline access to care.

The QLess system allows patients arriving for inpatient services, outpatient hospital services, imaging appointments, or billing inquiries to check in at a kiosk that guides them through the process at their own pace. After entering basic information, patients receive automated text message updates that alert them when it is time to begin registration with a Patient Access Representative.

This new system is designed to create a more relaxed and efficient arrival experience. Instead of standing in line, patients can wait comfortably in the lobby while receiving real-time updates about their place in the queue. This helps reduce congestion in waiting areas and supports smoother workflow for Associates, ultimately improving the overall registration process for both patients and Associates.

Patients visiting clinics or the DeBakey Heart Institute will continue to check in directly with their clinic teams and will not use the QLess system.

Patient privacy is a key component of the new technology. The QLess system does not store personal health information, and patients are called to registration using only the last four digits of their phone number.

HaysMed encourages patients visiting Miller Pavilion, Entrance B, to try the new kiosk during their next visit.

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Improving Patient Experience: QLess Kiosks Coming to HaysMed Registration

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy is pleased to announce that it is now open in its new, convenient location on the first floor of Entrance B (Miller Pavilion), directly behind the elevators. The updated space offers improved accessibility and a more comfortable experience for patients, visitors, and staff.

The pharmacy continues to provide its full range of services, including prescription support for patients and community members, acceptance of most insurance plans, mail‑out prescription services, and easy online refill requests through the Rx2Go app. Specialty products such as surgery preparation items and Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins are also available.

The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For assistance, patients may call 785‑650‑2789 or email mmc@haysmed.com.

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy looks forward to welcoming you and serving you in its new space.

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy is located on the first floor of Entrance B (Miller Pavilion)

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy conveniently located on the first floor of Entrance B (Miller Pavilion), directly behind the elevators

The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For assistance, patients may call 785‑650‑2789 or email mmc@haysmed.com.

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Medical Pavilion Pharmacy Relocating to New Space Within HaysMed