At HaysMed, our mission is to empower mothers and families by providing the resources, education, and compassionate care they need to thrive. A key part of that commitment is our role as a Mothers’ Milk Bank Donation and Outreach Center, where approved donors can safely contribute breast milk to help babies in need. Established in August 2017 through a collaboration with the Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition and supported by a grant from the HaysMed Foundation, this program connects local generosity to life-saving care for infants across the country.

Through our partnership with Mothers’ Milk Bank, approved donated milk is shipped to Colorado for processing and pasteurization before being distributed nationwide. Since its inception, generous donors from western Kansas have contributed:

• 47,611 ounces of breast milk
• 263 donations from mothers across western Kansas

“We are honored to walk alongside mothers in their feeding journey, and we strive to create a space where mothers feel valued and supported. Milk donation is an incredible act of generosity, every ounce donated makes an immeasurable impact to the lives of newborns and their families.”
–Jill Rozean, HaysMed Lactation Services

Recognizing IBCLC Day: Celebrating Expert Lactation Support
Each year, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Day is celebrated on March 4 (or the first Wednesday in March). This day honors the work of more than 37,000 IBCLCs worldwide, acknowledging their specialized expertise in lactation care and their critical role in improving public health, supporting breastfeeding families, and advancing health equity.

HaysMed is proud to have two board-certified lactation consultants, Jessica Seib and Jill Rozean, who lead our Lactation Services Team with exceptional clinical expertise and compassionate support. Their advanced training as IBCLCs ensures that mothers and families receive evidence-based, high-quality guidance at every stage of their feeding journey.

Why This Matters for Mothers
We understand that breastfeeding can be both rewarding and challenging. That’s why our Lactation Services Team, comprised of International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants and Registered Nurses, provides personalized support, whether you’re navigating your first feeding, seeking guidance after hospital discharge, or exploring milk donation. Our goal is to help mothers feel confident, informed, and supported in every decision they make for their baby.

“Every family’s feeding journey is unique and sometimes can be challenging. At HaysMed, we’re here to provide guidance and reassurance. Our goal is to make sure families feel supported and confident in the decisions that work best for them.”
–Jessica Seib, HaysMed Education Staff Development Coordinator

Our Commitment to Families
HaysMed’s Lactation Services Team offers inpatient, outpatient, and phone support to meet families wherever they are in their journey. As a Baby-Friendly Hospital and High 5 for Mom and Baby designated facility, we follow evidence-based practices that promote breastfeeding success, including:

• Immediate skin-to-skin contact
• Exclusive breast milk feeding
• 24-hour rooming-in

These efforts reflect our commitment to empowering mothers and supporting the healthiest start for every baby.

Celebrating Our Donors
Behind every donation is a story of generosity. Recently, one donor reached an extraordinary milestone, contributing over 11,433 ounces of milk in the past year, the largest single donation HaysMed has ever received. Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of this program and the profound impact it has on newborn lives.

Learn More
For more information about milk donation and how you can help, visit Mothers’ Milk Bank.
To learn more about HaysMed or to schedule a lactation consultation, call 785-650-2767 or visit HaysMed Birth Center.

Related articles: 
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

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy is pleased to announce its upcoming relocation to a newly designed, more accessible space within the HaysMed campus. The pharmacy will move to the first floor of Entrance B (Miller Pavilion), directly behind the elevators, offering patients, staff, and community members improved convenience and accessibility.

To complete the transition, the pharmacy will be closed starting at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, and the team anticipates reopening and being fully operational by Tuesday, March 17.

Prior to this temporary closure, the pharmacy staff encourage community members to plan ahead for any prescription or medication needs.

Upon reopening, Medical Pavilion Pharmacy will continue operating under its regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and closed on weekends.

As a full-service community pharmacy, Medical Pavilion Pharmacy will continue offering its complete range of services, including prescription support for HaysMed patients, Associates, and the general public. The pharmacy accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and worker’s compensation prescriptions, and can special-order items that are not regularly stocked.

Additional services include mail-out prescription delivery and convenient prescription transfers via phone, fax, or email. Patients may also manage medication needs through the Rx2Go mobile app, which allows users to request refills and access their full medication profile once their account has been approved.

Medical Pavilion Pharmacy also offers several specialty products, such as surgery preparation items including the Ensure Pre Surgery clear carbohydrate drink. In addition, the pharmacy carries Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins, specifically formulated to support bariatric surgery patients through recovery and long-term nutritional health.

“We are excited for this move and the improvements it will bring to our patients,” said William Cadoret, HaysMed Director of Pharmacy. “Our goal is always to make pharmacy services as convenient and supportive as possible, and this new location helps us continue that mission.”

Patients and community members with questions or prescription needs may contact the pharmacy at 785-650-2789 or via email at mmc@haysmed.com.

The Center for Health Improvement (CHI) in Hays has once again earned facility recertification from the Medical Fitness Association (MFA), a distinguished recognition awarded only to medically integrated fitness centers that meet the highest national standards for safety, quality, programming, and clinical oversight. This five‑year recertification reaffirms CHI’s commitment to delivering evidence‑based, medically supervised fitness and wellness services to the region.

The MFA certification is the only credential of its kind in the medical fitness industry. Facilities undergo a rigorous on‑site review and must meet strict, nationally recognized standards for safety, clinical integration, staff training, and program quality. For the Center for Health Improvement, this recertification affirms its long‑standing commitment to promoting health, preventing disease, and supporting the well‑being of the Hays community.

“Receiving MFA recertification as we approach our 25th anniversary is incredibly meaningful,” said Stephanie Howie, Director of The Center for Health Improvement. “For 24 years, CHI has continued to innovate, grow, and build programs that make a real impact on community health. This certification affirms the high standards we hold ourselves to every day.”

Innovation, Growth & Community Impact
Throughout its history, CHI has expanded its role as a regional leader in health and wellness. Key initiatives and partnerships include:

• LiveWell- a twelve-week exercise program designed for individuals living with or at risk of developing diabetes, heart or vessel disease, cancer, and obesity. Entry into LiveWell requires a referral from your healthcare provider.

• A new partnership with the Hays Senior Center- offering free weekly wellness classes and the monthly “A Healthy Conversation” educational series.

• Fit‑X AI Fitness Technology Pilot Site- CHI became the first pilot location in the United States to introduce Fit‑X, an AI‑powered personal training system that uses real‑time data and adaptive training plans to enhance safety and effectiveness.

• Lifelong Vitality Initiative-  In partnership with The Grove, CHI is helping bring a nearly $1 million, 25,000‑square‑foot outdoor fitness space to life. Adjacent to CHI and the Bob & Pat Schmidt Community Center, this inclusive, multigenerational outdoor fitness area will be open to the public and designed to promote community-wide health.

“As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for medical fitness facilities to offer a high standard of programming for the communities they serve is more important than ever,” said David Flench, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association. “The Center for Health Improvement has taken an important step in providing this extraordinary level of care.”

Looking Toward 25 Years of Service
This five‑year recertification comes as CHI approaches its 25‑year anniversary, a milestone that reflects decades of innovation, community partnerships, and commitment to medically integrated fitness. From advancing new technologies to expanding accessible wellness programs, CHI remains dedicated to elevating health and wellness for the Hays community, now and for many years to come.

About the Medical Fitness Association
The Medical Fitness Association (MFA), a non-profit professional membership organization, was formed in 1991 to assist medically integrated health and fitness centers achieve their full potential. MFA provides industry standards, educational programs, certification opportunities, benchmark data, professional development, and networking opportunities for improving operational success and healthcare integration. MFA’s vision is to be the leading force in the healthcare and fitness industries dedicated to inspiring and empowering those who seek to deliver the medical fitness model through holistic wellness solutions.