Panel spotlights Coffeyville hospital in discussion of rural health and pediatric access

Members of the Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel on a mid‑August virtual meeting highlighted a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) rural hospital stabilization cohort that includes Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and discussed how rural hospital capacity and pediatric provider shortages intersect with early childhood needs.
The discussion centered on why stable local hospitals matter to families and to recruiting and retaining health and child‑care professionals. Melissa Schonberger, chair of the panel and early childhood system specialist at the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, said the HRSA program "is expected to take hospitals 18 to 24 months to complete" and described Coffeyville Regional Medical Center as "a 25 bed critical access hospital in Coffeyville, Kansas" in Montgomery County.
Why it matters: Panel members said access to local maternity and pediatric care affects families’ ability to live and work in rural communities and can influence whether physicians or other professionals with young children will accept jobs there. Christy Smith, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas, urged the panel to consider how early childhood services connect with broader community supports and recommended proactive outreach to health providers rather than waiting to be asked.
Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition representative Brenda Bandy added that Coffeyville had achieved the "high 5 for mom and baby premier designation" for maternity and breastfeeding support, noting that small hospitals can lead on maternal and infant care despite lower birth volumes.
Discussion vs. decisions: The panel’s remarks were discussion and outreach-oriented; no formal vote or policy action was taken. Panel members suggested inviting Coffeyville representatives to a future meeting so the panel can learn specifics about the hospital’s work and consider replication or partnership opportunities in other rural areas.
Context and clarifications: Panelists connected this news item to the panel’s strategic priorities for health access and family supports. The HRSA cohort reference and Coffeyville’s 25‑bed critical access status were made on the record during the Kansas in the News portion of the meeting. Members emphasized that the segment was meant to spark thinking and not to announce a cabinet or agency decision.
Next steps: Panel staff said they will share the HRSA and American Board of Pediatrics resources referenced in the discussion and consider inviting Coffeyville to present at a future panel meeting.