Leaders in Civic Development Keeping informed about the needs and concerns of the community is of utmost importance to the Chamber. Last January the Member Education and Health Care Committees hosted the annual state of Health Care Symposium.
Symposiums offer concerned individuals the opportunity to interact with local leaders.
Dick Vaught, William Newton Memorial Hospital Administrator, addressed the issues of how a locally owned hospital manages to provide top-quality affordable care by keeping abreast of the technology curve, changing the physical structure to accommodate new requirements, and being willing to maintain a focus on future needs. The new Cowley County Mental Health and Counseling Center was described by Pam Moore, Marketing and Development Director. The move from the Winfield and Arkansas City offices to the new facility at Strother Field heralds a new era in mental health for the county. Jim Hays, Superintendent of the Kansas Veterans Home updated those gathered on the status of the construction and scheduling of the changes taking place at the former State Hospital. Because health care is an issue for the whole county, the Health Care Committee meets on a quarterly basis with its counterpart at the Arkansas City Chamber.