WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Citizens Health has officially completed construction of its new hospital facility in Colby, marking a significant milestone for rural health care access in western Kansas.
Hospital officials confirmed that services have begun transitioning from the former hospital building next door into the newly constructed facility. The relocation process is expected to take approximately three weeks, with departments moving in phases to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
Two Citizens Health leaders told KSN News that the new building was designed to create additional space for family practice providers, visiting specialists, and expanded maternal and surgical services—areas that have been in growing demand across the region.
“We want to make it so that people don’t have to drive to big cities to get care,” said Jenny Niblock, chief strategy officer of Citizens Health. “That’s time away from their community. Their family members have to go and accompany them. We want them to get care at home.”
David McCorkle, CEO of Citizens Health, said the new hospital will also allow the organization to deliver care more efficiently while preparing for long-term growth.
“The efficiencies that we’ve been able to create as an organization through this building project will be really transformational into the future,” he said.
Construction of the new hospital took approximately two years to complete.
The opening of the new Citizens Health hospital comes as rural hospitals across Kansas face mounting challenges, including staffing shortages, aging infrastructure and increased demand for specialized care closer to home. Hospital leaders say the modernized facility positions Citizens Health to better serve patients without requiring long-distance travel to urban medical centers.
The new building includes updated oncology, laboratory and diagnostic spaces, improved patient flow, and a redesigned main entrance aimed at improving accessibility for patients and families. Officials say these upgrades will support expanded clinical offerings while improving comfort and safety for both patients and staff.
The transition to the new hospital also aligns with broader statewide investments in rural health care. Kansas is set to receive $222 million in funding aimed at strengthening rural hospitals, expanding access to services and improving health outcomes in underserved communities.
Once the full move is completed, Citizens Health plans to evaluate opportunities to further expand specialty care, recruit additional providers and enhance surgical capacity, reinforcing its role as a regional health care hub for northwest Kansas.
Originally reported by Ryan Newton in Yahoo News.
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