$1 Million Gift to Healthcare Project

A million dollar gift brings closer to a reality a new Salina Family Healthcare expanded facility which will enhance its integrated medical, dental, eye care, behavioral health, and pharmacy services.

According to the organization, the project has received a $1 million leadership gift from Salina Regional Health Center and the Salina Regional Health Foundation’s Community Health Investment Program (CHIP) to the Healthy Salina, Healthy Kansas campaign. The contribution supports the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility that will expand access to care for underserved populations in Salina and strengthen health services across rural Kansas.

CHIP provides grants to organizations that, like the hospital, are working to improve the health of people in north central Kansas. The Foundation established the program in 1995 and has since awarded more than $16 million in grants to area community organizations.

This major investment reflects a shared vision between two anchor healthcare institutions dedicated to improving the health and well-being of north central Kansas communities.

“Salina Family and Salina Regional are vital partners within the health ecosystem of north central Kansas. When one grows stronger, the entire region benefits,” said Joel Phelps, President and CEO of Salina Regional Health Center. “This investment represents our commitment to a more resilient, collaborative healthcare network.”

The new facility will dramatically increase SFHC’s capacity to deliver integrated services—including medical, dental, behavioral health, vision care, and pharmacy—and further deepen its collaboration with Salina Regional through the Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. This nationally recognized program provides physician training at SFHC, with clinical rotations at Salina Regional and other local sites. Many Smoky Hill graduates go on to serve in central and western Kansas, helping to address critical rural healthcare workforce shortages.

“The residency program is a win-win,” said Dr. Robert Kraft, CEO of SFHC. “It provides aspiring physicians with exceptional hands-on training and delivers immediate value to Salina Regional and other area healthcare providers. It’s one of the most sustainable solutions we have for growing our rural workforce.”

The Healthy Salina, Healthy Kansas campaign is part of a $55 million plan to build a modern, integrated healthcare center at 1001 Edison Place. Once completed, the facility will serve thousands more patients annually and enhance the region’s healthcare infrastructure for generations to come.

With nearly 40% of the campaign’s $10 million local fundraising goal already committed, early gifts and enthusiastic community support have built strong momentum.

Salina Family Healthcare Center welcomes individuals, businesses, and foundations to join Salina Regional in making this transformative investment in community health a reality.

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To learn more, schedule a tour, or get involved, please contact Maddie Chandler at [email protected].