HaysMed is excited to welcome Jennifer McDowell, APRN, to its team at the Convenient Care Clinic and HaysMed Family Medicine.

McDowell earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University before completing her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. With almost a decade of nursing experience in family healthcare and dermatology, she will be a valuable addition to the team.

In her hybrid role, McDowell will provide care at both the Convenient Care Walk-In Clinic and HaysMed Family Medicine. These clinics offer quick, high-quality, and affordable care for patients of all ages, addressing non-life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention.

“I am excited to join HaysMed and serve the Hays community. I am passionate about providing quality healthcare to patients across the lifespan, from children to older adults. Building meaningful relationships and ensuring every patient feels heard, supported, and cared for is at the heart of my practice. I look forward to making a positive impact at HaysMed.” said McDowell.

Her addition reflects HaysMed’s commitment to expanding and enhancing healthcare services to meet the growing needs of Hays and the western Kansas region.

At HaysMed, we’re dedicated to continually improving your patient experience through enhanced communication and service options. We are pleased to introduce a new billing notification system, launching this month, designed to streamline how you receive and manage your billing information.

This system features an innovative call service that automatically contacts patients to notify them of new bills and provides essential payment details. Our goal is to offer timely, convenient access to your billing information, ensuring you’re always up to date.

Recognizing our patients’ diverse preferences, we’ve also expanded the methods through which you can receive these statement notifications. Beyond the traditional paper notices, you now have the option to get notifications via email or text messages. This digital approach not only speeds up the process but is also eco-friendly and enhances accessibility. You can update your preferences for receiving these notifications through your online payment webpage- haysmed.com/payment .

This change allows you the flexibility to choose your preferred notification method, ensuring you receive your billing information in the way that works best for you. Initially, you will receive an email and text notification; if unopened after a few days, we will send a paper version. Upon receiving the first email, you will also have the option to opt out of digital communications if desired.

Please note that final statements are only issued through postal mail.

We believe these new features will significantly enhance your interaction with HaysMed, making it easier to manage your billing needs. Thank you for trusting HaysMed with your healthcare and stay tuned for further updates.

For assistance please contact our support team at 785-623-5100. HaysMed is here to help!

Relevant articles: HaysMed Launches Streamlined Bill Pay Services to Enhance Patient Experience

HaysMed is pleased to announce the appointment of Joben Rieth as the permanent Chief Nursing Officer, effective March 10, 2025, following a national search and comprehensive interview process. Since joining HaysMed in an interim capacity in October 2024, Rieth has exemplified a leadership style rooted in transparency, direct engagement, and a profound commitment to patient care.

Throughout his tenure at HaysMed, Rieth has actively worked to understand the hospital’s systems and processes deeply, forging meaningful connections with both Associates and patients. His approach has positioned him to effectively lead and implement strategic initiatives, leveraging a solid grasp of operational strengths and areas for growth.

During recent discussions about his journey in healthcare and his vision for the future, Rieth shared insights into the challenges he has faced and his strategic responses:

“One of the main challenges has been navigating the complexities of healthcare regulations while striving to improve patient care efficiency,” Rieth said. “We’ve addressed these challenges by fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. I’ve initiated regular feedback sessions and have been working closely with the Associates to implement innovative solutions that enhance our service delivery without compromising care quality.”

Rieth also unveiled an exciting initiative for the upcoming year: “I’m thrilled to announce that we are implementing the ‘BEE Award.’ Similar to the Daisy Award, this recognition program will honor the invaluable contributions of our non-nursing staff members, such as our environmental services, administrative personnel, and support staff,” he explained. “These team members are crucial to our operations and significantly contribute to a positive environment for both patients and healthcare providers. The BEE Award aims to spotlight their dedication and the compassionate care they provide daily, which are vital to our success and patient satisfaction.”

Furthermore, Rieth discussed his ongoing efforts to enhance the work environment for HaysMed’s nursing staff: “My goal is to maintain an environment where our nurses feel valued, respected, and motivated,” he remarked. “We are enhancing our professional development programs to provide more growth opportunities for our nursing staff. Additionally, we’re improving our work-life balance initiatives to ensure that our nurses can manage their professional responsibilities while enjoying personal fulfillment and well-being.”

Eddie Herrman, President and CEO of HaysMed, warmly welcomed Rieth’s permanent role, stating, “We are thrilled to have Joben step into the role of Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. Joben’s unique blend of compassion, leadership, and expertise in nursing aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional care. His proactive approach and commitment to excellence are exactly what we need to continue advancing our services and supporting our community. Welcome aboard, Joben!”

HaysMed is enthusiastic about the positive changes Rieth’s leadership will bring and is proud to welcome him to his new role.