HaysMed Earns 2025 “To the Stars” Kansas Business Award

HaysMed has been honored with the Healthcare/Nonprofit Award of Merit for the Northwest Region in the 2025 To the Stars: Kansas Business Awards. The recognition, formally signed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Lt. Governor & Secretary of Commerce David Toland, celebrates HaysMed’s outstanding contributions to the community, the state economy, and the people of Kansas.

In the award letter, state leaders commended HaysMed for creating job opportunities, innovating in care delivery, diversifying the local marketplace, and building community identity. They praised the organization’s tenacity and determination noting that these values are “at the heart of what it means to be a Kansan,” and underscored that thanks to businesses like HaysMed, Kansas continues to “reach the stars.”

This recognition highlights HaysMed’s commitment to ensuring world‑class care close to home for residents across western Kansas and neighboring states. Central to HaysMed’s nomination was the Hybrid Operating Room (OR) with advanced integrated imaging within the DeBakey Heart Institute at HaysMed.

“The Hybrid OR combines the capabilities of a traditional surgical suite with advanced imaging technology, allowing us to perform complex cardiac and vascular procedures with greater precision and safety. This includes treatments such as TAVR, CABG, stenting, and minimally invasive valve replacements, all in one state-of-the-art environment.” said Dr. Travis Haneke, Interventional Cardiologist, HaysMed

“This award is a testament to our caregivers, physicians, and community partners who believe that rural communities deserve the very best in advanced medicine,” said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO of HaysMed. “Our Hybrid OR is transforming cardiac care in western Kansas, reducing the need for travel and improving outcomes for patients and families.”

By the Numbers: Impact & Innovation

As of April 2025 HaysMed opened Kansas’s first Hybrid Operating Room with advanced integrated imaging and surgical capabilities including the installation of Philips Azurion imaging technology.
4,400+ square feet renovated within the DeBakey Heart Institute to house the Hybrid OR.
In 2024, HaysMed performed 1,600+ Cath Lab procedures and 167 cardiovascular open‑heart surgeries, delivering a direct and lasting regional impact. In 2025, HaysMed performed a record-breaking 2,000+ Cath Lab procedures.
Approximately $4.2 million in philanthropic support secured from regional donors; project completed despite pandemic‑related delays and rising construction costs.
Recruitment of top‑tier cardiology talent, including cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology, further advancing heart care in the region.

Powered by Community Partnership

The Hybrid OR was made possible through generous support from regional partners, including the HaysMed Foundation, Bickle Family Foundation, Hadley Foundation, and many others, reflecting a shared vision for advancing health services in western Kansas. At the ribbon cutting and open house, HaysMed honored the legacy of Dr. Paul McRae with a $250,000 endowed gift dedicated to future cardiac care.

For patients and families across rural Kansas and neighboring states, access to advanced healthcare is a lifeline, especially in time‑sensitive cardiac emergencies where minutes matter. HaysMed’s investments in innovation and talent ensure that patients receive cutting‑edge treatment close to home, while also fostering education and training for medical professionals and students.

HaysMed’s Award of Merit certificate accompanies the recognition and will be proudly displayed on campus as a symbol of the community’s resilience and the organization’s dedication to patient-centered care.

HaysMed Hybrid Operating Room, Opened in April 2025

HaysMed cardiologists Travis Haneke, MD, and Jacob Morgan, MD, standing inside the brand-new Hybrid Operating Room.

HaysMed Hybrid Operating Room, Opened in April 2025

HaysMed Earns 2025 “To the Stars” Kansas Business Award

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