Labette Health Independence Healthcare Center opened on July 4, 2017, as what is essentially known today as a Rural Emergency Hospital. These visionaries and trailblazers did not realize it at the time, but they were building a new model for healthcare delivery in rural communities in America. Beginning January 1, 2023, Congress enacted legislation that allows for existing hospitals to be licensed as Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH). This new model gives hope to rural communities as many in the future will face the challenge of retaining access to healthcare within their communities.
Independence, Kansas and Labette Health were the recipients of a $6 million HRSA Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending Grant. This incredible grant has allowed us to move forward with our Independence Healthcare Center’s expansion and renovation project—securing healthcare for generations to come.
The expansion will add approximately 12,824 SF, including:
- 1,100 SF to the Cancer Infusion Center
- 10,000 SF to the Rural Health Clinic
- 1,724 SF expansion that includes:
- Lab—allowing more complex testing
- Storm shelter/Conference room
- Facilities management area
This project also includes 1,113 SF of renovation, including:
- Modification to the existing Emergency Department to increase and improve patient throughput
- The addition of outpatient Ultrasound (eliminating the need for patients to travel over 30 miles for testing)
- 17 additional patient exam rooms
- 2 additional procedure rooms to the rural health and specialty clinics
- 4 additional cancer infusion stations
Services Provided:
- Emergency care
- Express care
- Imaging
- Laboratory
- Outpatient therapy
- Primary care
- Specialty care
- Women's health
- Cancer treatment center
- Outpatient treatment center
- And more!