Colby getting $108M grant for new hospital

COLBY, Kan. (KWCH) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday announced a nine-figure grant for the construction of a new hospital in Colby. The USDA’s Rural Development Kansas State director said the federal department is lending $108,249,000 “to help Citizens Medical Center in Colby expand critical healthcare services.”

Citizens Health serves Colby and Thomas County and northwest Kansas. CEO David McCorkle said the new facility that will have the capacity for newer technology to better serve patients and more convenience.

“It’s convenient for patients to receive care. Whether they’re going to see their family practice doctor, or they need to come in for surgery, or they need an inpatient stay, all those services are under one roof,” said McCorkle.

Hospital workers said they’ve outgrown the current facility because of all the additional services they offer. They said the new building will allow for even more expansion once the new center is finished in 2025.

“Better patient care. Safety for our patients. They have more space in the room to move around, and we can provide better hands-on care within the room,” said Ashley Lambert, the acute care nursing manager.

The announcement coincides with National Rural Health Day.

“There is no better way to celebrate National Rural Health Day than to invest in our state’s rural healthcare infrastructure,” Davis said. “USDA is committed to ensuring rural Americans have access to reliable quality health care, like that provided by Citizens Medical Center.”

You can learn more about USDA Rural Development and the grant opportunities that make plans like what’s in store for Colby possible here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-rural-development-invests-108-million-improve-health-care-colby-kansas.

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