By Kansan Staff
The Newton Kansan is undertaking a new initiative that puts the spotlight the community’s diverse voices and ideas. The “Community Conversation Initiative” is set to change the way we connect, discuss, and collaborate with our community in a new and meaningful way.
It starts with a series of video interviews, the second of which features Val Gleason of NMC Health, posted weekly at thekansan.com.
Gleason sat with Kansan Editor Chad Frey for the interview – fielding the standard five questions that will be asked in each interview in the series.
Many of the questions concern the role of, and future role of, local media in the community.
Prior to diving into the five questions, Gleason told the story of coming to Newton — and falling in love with the medical center. She also discussed a major expansion the medical center is undergoing this year.
The plan is to expand, adding three rooms to the E.R. designed for behavioral health patients that can be used for overflow during surges if they are not in use for behavioral health patients.
The numbers of behavioral health patients is growing, the most recent annual statistics showed more than 700 behavioral health patients served by NMC Health.
The plan is to parlay more than $1.1 million in Rural Hospital Innovation Grant funds into the expansion. A local match provided by NMC Health of $2,228,235.53 is required, for a total estimated project cost of $3,342,353.30.
The rooms will be added to an existing structure, what is currently used as an ambulance garage. A new ambulance garage will be added, along with a dedicated behavioral health nurse station and a reconfigured admission area.
The five questions she fielded include:
What are the most pressing challenges facing our community at the local level right now?
Considering the evolving media landscape, what role do you see local newspapers playing in the community five years from now.
In your opinion, what role should our newspaper play in promoting civic participation and community involvement?
What community events or activities do you believe do you believe we should cover to better connect with our residents?
Considering the current economic landscape, how can our publication support local businesses and contribute to economic growth in the community?
To find the interviews online simply look for the “Conversations” category on the front page of thekansan.com.
A community survey will be launched in the weeks ahead as well.
