SALINA -Salina Regional Health Center and Cloud County Health Center, Concordia, have announced the two hospitals are working towards a clinical and operational affiliation to better serve their patients and communities, according to a media release.

SRHC and CCHC are the primary providers of health care for Concordia and the surrounding area. With the affiliation of the two organizations, better services can be provided to those communities.

“The goal in this agreement is to improve patient care in the region by better coordinating services between our two hospitals. It also helps both organizations meet the challenges of modern health care, which includes increased federal regulations and lower reimbursements to health care providers and facilities,” said Mike Terry, Chief Executive Officer for SRHC.

Phil Gilliland, chair of the CCHC Board of Trustees, and Executive Vice President of The Citizens National Bank, Concordia, said:”The landscape of health care, especially for rural critical access hospitals, has change dramatically over the last five to seven years. Our board expects that change, and the associated challenges, to continue in the years to come. We think affillation with a strong regional health provider like SRHC gives us the best chance to provide a broad range of health care services to Concordia and North Central Kansas. We have had long ties to SRHC, and it was only natural to look at a more formal relationship with them. We have been impressed with their vision and commitment to quality health care throughout the region, and look forward to this next chapter in our relationship>”