News

Labette Health is pleased to announce that they are one of 79 hospitals in Kansas that have pledged to examine their current food and beverage practices. Labette Health will consider new policies that provide healthier food options in the hospital cafeteria and throughout the facility. This enhanced access to healthy food aims to positively impact hospital employees, patients and visitors, while also helping to establish norms for healthier living for the community.

As the primary source of healthcare in the Labette, Neosho and Montgomery counties area, Labette Health has the opportunity to influence the health decisions of the community by the food and beverage choices offered. Recommendations to food and beverage policies include increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables, eliminating all fried foods, adding healthier items to vending machines and adding nutrition labeling for meals in the cafeteria.

"It is important that Labette Health is active in setting the example for Labette, Neosho and Montgomery county residents by providing the healthiest choices possible," said Elaine Hudson, registered dietician at Labette Health.

More than 550 healthcare professionals who are employed by Labette Health who seek dining options on the hospital campus will benefit from these changes.

"Not only is offering more healthy foods a better service to patients, it also represents better health for the community," said Brian Williams, President and CEO at Labette Health. "It is our hope that these changes will have a long-term positive impact on the health of those who seek medical care in southeast Kansas."

Labette Health is a 99 bed licensed hospital that provides acute, intensive and inpatient rehabilitation services. Serving a six-county area since 1961, Labette Health has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center renowned for its comprehensive healthcare services, state-of-the-art technology and skilled medical staff.

The Healthy Kansas Hospitals initiative is a project of the Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation. Established in 1969, by the Kansas Hospital Association, KHERF's mission is to facilitate collaboration and innovation to improve health delivery for Kansas communities. KHERF leverages grants and other funding to support projects, serving in a leadership role, as a partner in developing projects or simply serves as an administrator for grants and sub-contracts that are consistent with KHERF's vision and values.

The Kansas Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association of healthcare provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. KHA membership includes 217 member facilities, of which 128 are full-service community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA maintains its vision of "an organization of hospitals working together to improve access, quality and the affordability of healthcare for all Kansans." For more information, visit HealthyKansasHospitals.org.