The Sweet Springs Ambulance District hosted an open house and appointments in the HCC Mobile Medical Unit on March 17, 2022 at the location of the proposed Midwest Regional Medical Center Hospital District dba Midwest Regional Hospital – the former I-70 Hospital.

According to a news release, Dennis Dohrman, Ambulance Board President welcomed the large crowd of attendees with a packed seated audience and standing room only outside the room to hear as he explained the proposed creation of a hospital district within Saline, Lafayette, Pettis and Johnson Counties.

Attendees were invited to tour the facility, visit the HCC Mobile Medical Unit, get an up close view of LifeFlight Eagle Air Medical Helicopter, attend the ribbon cutting for the diner and Physical Therapy Center, and sign the Petition so that voters residing with the limits of the proposed hospital district can decide whether they will establish a hospital district under the Hospital District Act –  Chapter 206 RSMo.

Sweet Springs Mayor “Frany” Vaught, Representative Terry Thompson, Representative Kurtis Gregory, Ray Bozarth from Senator Josh Hawley’s Office, and Kyle Wilkens from USDA, as well as County Commissioners and employees were all in attendance and made statements during the event.  Also speaking was CEO for HCC Network, ToniAnn Granzow Richards.  Sweet Springs FFA, under the leadership of Kristen Fenner, presented a Forum on “Rural Healthcare Crisis” to the attendees.

Officials say the Sweet Springs Ambulance Board Members and Gloria Peters, Healthcare Consultant are scheduled to be speaking to local communities explaining the petition and the benefits of a “hospital district” to the citizens.

The first meeting is scheduled to be at City Hall in Alma at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. The second meeting is scheduled at the Blackburn Civic Center in Blackburn at 7 p.m. Monday, April 4. Another meeting is scheduled at the Concordia Community Center in room 207 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend these informational meetings. Other communities within the proposed district are invited to request the board to come and present the information to their city or community group. Dennis Dohrman, Board President may be reached at (660) 641-2110 or Gloria Peters, Healthcare Consultant at (660)641-1969.

The next meeting of the Sweet Springs Ambulance Board is scheduled for 7 p.m.  April 20 in the hospital at Sherri Lynn’s Diner at 105 Hospital Drive in Sweet Springs..