In the 1990s Gene Schmidt, then President of Hutchinson Hospital, realized that the emergency room was filled with non-emergent patients. The hospital applied for and received a grant and created Reno County Health Center (now PrairieStar Health Center) as part of Reno County Health Department. The need was greater than anticipated so the Health Center moved to the old KP&L building and quickly began to fill that space. Application was made to become a Federally Qualified Health Center and was granted in 2007 creating a new organization known as PrairieStar Health Center.
Continued growth necessitated a move to the Trade Center, allowing for 10,000 square feet of space to grow into. By 2010 it was evident that PrairieStar was rapidly growing out of this location too. Looking to the future, making an investment in the community was the next step. A five million dollar grant was applied for to build a new facility.
Nearly two years after beginning and working through the application process, PrairieStar received word that a grant had been awarded to build a new 32,000 square foot facility at the corner of 30th & K-61 highway. Construction began in 2014 and the new PrairieStar facility became operational in March of 2015.
Today, PrairieStar continues to grow and serve all those that come through our doors, regardless of ability to pay. Our philosophy has always been it doesnt matter if you are a homeless person or the President of the United States, you deserve quality healthcare and to be treated with respect and dignity.
PrairieStar Health Center is pleased to have received Level 3 Certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for demonstrating our ability to provide patient care services as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The NCQA certification recognizes PrairieStars ability to provide comprehensive care that addresses the patients physical and mental healthcare needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care and chronic care.
We partner with families while respecting each patients unique needs, culture, values and preferences. We bring together healthcare systems including specialty care, hospitals, home healthcare and community services and support for the patient. We provide easy access to services with shorter waiting times for urgent needs. By combining health information and evidence-based medicine, the clinician can monitor the improvements, quality and safety management of the plan of care.