Rural America is the backbone of our nation’s agriculture, energy production, and industry. Rural Communities thrive on resilience, hard work, and community, but the one thing they cannot afford to lose is access to healthcare. Rural hospitals serve as safe harbors to those communities, providing critical care, creating jobs, and supporting the overall well-being of the population.

In the face of this crisis, Prime Healthcare has emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicated to keeping these vital facilities open and thriving. In 2022, Prime saw a greater need to focus on the challenges of rural health care. Prime formed a new leadership role and hired Ken Park as the Vice President of Rural Strategy. Ken focuses on the development and management of rural health clinics throughout Prime, identifying sites for rural health clinics and overseeing the launch and operational activities while maintaining financial stewardship and profitability.

“Rural facilities are more than just buildings, they are lifelines for the communities they serve,” Park said. “Prime Healthcare’s mission is clear: to preserve rural healthcare facilities, ensuring that communities survive and thrive with access to high-quality, compassionate care. At the heart of this mission is the commitment to putting patients first—delivering care that is local, personal, and accessible.”

One such rural hospital is Saint John Hospital, nestled in the small town of Leavenworth, Kansas. For over 150 years, Saint John has stood as a pillar of the community, delivering compassionate care to local families, and earning awards in quality care and patient safety.