Central Kansas Medical Center earned distinction as "Business of the Year" during the 85th Annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Banquet held Saturday (Feb. 10) at the Highland Convention Center, Great Bend. The hospital, which has been in operation for nearly 104 years, is a major employer of the community with 520 employees and an annual payroll of $20 million dollars. Last year proved to be especially productive for CKMC as it brought in new doctors to the area, expanded medical departments and provided sizable donations to the community. As a not-for-profit, CKMC was also able to direct additional money to its mission by providing more than $9 million dollars in community benefits including more than $1 million of annual charity care.

"Business of the Year" is an annual award presented by the Chamber showcasing companies that demonstrate excellence in customer service, growth, and response in positive ways to adversity. Businesses must also show community involvement and demonstrate innovative business practices by improving products, services, and programs.

"I am extremely proud of the work that Central Kansas Medical Center accomplished this past year," said CKMC's President/CEO Chris Thomas. "We partnered with eight new physicians, expanded technology with digital radiology and made a $2 million dollar turnaround. But the most extraordinary feat, where our team excelled, was the significant increase in patient satisfaction ratings. We went from a 27th percentile ranking to the 50th percentile in national ranking in one year. This award validates the commitment of everyone, including our employees, physicians, volunteers and most importantly the patients who choose our services on a daily basis."

Central Kansas Medical Center is part of Catholic Health Initiatives and is comprised of two hospitals, CKMC in Great Bend and St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Larned. Services are also provided through the Heartland Cancer Center, Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, and Central Kansas Health Equipment. CKMC has three primary physician clinics, Great Bend Internists as well as St. Joseph Family Medicine in Great Bend and Larned. It also has two surgical practices with Central Kansas Surgical Care and Dr. Thomas Wilder.

In 2006, CKMC realized growth in its obstetrics and surgical departments in Great Bend and realized overall growth at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital. On average, its primary care clinics receive 50-to-60 new patients every month. Much of the expanded care is due to CKMC adding new physicians and service lines to the area in 2006. Drs. Amanda McSweeney, Marjorie Beebe and Thomas Wilder joined CKMC as surgeons. Dr. Bell Razafindrabe opened a new pain management clinic. Dr. Debra Barns joined CKMC as pathologist and Dr. Malaz Almasaddi came on board as medical director for CKMC's new Sleep Disorders Center, which is the only center in the area with a certified sleep disorder specialist. St. Joseph Family Medicine in Great Bend also expanded this year with the addition of Drs. Brad Smith and Amy Hogan, while Dr. Tariq Hameed joined Great Bend Internists.

CKMC advanced its medical technology further by installing computer Radiography (CR) and Picture Archiving and Communication Storage (PACS) to its radiology departments, which allows the elimination of traditional X-Ray film.

There are no days off for Central Kansas Medical Center. Since April 5, 1903 when the Dominican Sisters opened the first St. Rose hospital to now, the hospital has provided medical coverage to the community for 37,933 consecutive days. That's more than 54 million minutes and counting.

Chamber "Business of the Year" History

1993 Marmies

1994 Straub International

1995 Becker Tire

1996 Fuller Brush

1997 Office Products, Inc.

1998 Stickney Distributing

1999 Dillon's Stores

2000 Farmers Bank & Trust

2001 Doonan Corporation

2002 CPI Qualified Plan Consultants

2003 Great Bend Feeding

2004 Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball

2005 Venture Corporation

2006 Central Kansas Medical Center