Girard Medical Center (GMC) is proud to announce its membership in The University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative, a statewide network dedicated to strengthening healthcare quality, patient safety, and access to evidence-based care in rural Kansas communities.

Founded in 2014, the Care Collaborative is an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-accredited Patient Safety Organization that connects healthcare providers and care teams across Kansas. Through collaboration, education, and evidence-based treatment models, the program helps rural healthcare organizations implement best practices and improve outcomes while allowing patients to receive high-quality care closer to home.

For Girard Medical Center, joining the Care Collaborative offers valuable opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals and resources statewide while continuing to strengthen local care. Membership provides access to comprehensive training, ongoing educational opportunities, implementation support, standardized care protocols, and resources designed to improve quality and patient safety.

The Care Collaborative also provides participating organizations with opportunities to evaluate quality and safety events in a confidential environment, learn from de-identified data and the experiences of peer organizations, and receive expert guidance on improving patient care.

“Joining the Care Collaborative is an exciting opportunity for Girard Medical Center and reflects our continued commitment to providing the highest quality care possible for the communities we serve,” said Travis Battagler, CEO of Girard Medical Center. “This partnership gives our team access to additional education, expertise, resources, and best practices while allowing us to collaborate with healthcare professionals across the state. Most importantly, it helps us continue providing exceptional care right here at home, so our patients can receive the care they need close to their families and their community.”

Care Collaborative programs support evidence-based care for time-critical diagnoses and chronic conditions, including stroke, heart attack, sepsis, heart failure, and diabetes. The network also offers on-site education, webinars, implementation tools, and other resources to help rural healthcare teams stay current with evolving research and best practices.

The partnership aligns closely with Girard Medical Center’s commitment to continually improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of healthcare in Southeast Kansas. By working alongside The University of Kansas Health System and other Care Collaborative members, GMC will have more opportunities to learn, share best practices, and strengthen its ability to meet the region's changing healthcare needs.

“At Girard Medical Center, we believe strong rural healthcare is built through collaboration,” Battagler added. “By learning from one another and bringing additional resources and expertise back to our organization, we can continue building a stronger healthcare system for our patients and our community.”

Girard Medical Center looks forward to its participation in the Care Collaborative and the opportunities the partnership will create for employees, providers, patients, and the communities GMC serves.

About Girard Medical Center

Girard Medical Center is committed to providing quality, compassionate healthcare to Girard and the surrounding Southeast Kansas communities. Through a broad range of hospital, clinic, specialty, and outpatient services, GMC strives to provide accessible healthcare close to home while continually investing in the people, technology, and partnerships that strengthen rural healthcare.

About the Care Collaborative

The University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative is a Patient Safety Organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality and outcomes in rural Kansas. The collaborative connects healthcare organizations and care teams with evidence-based treatment models, education, quality-improvement resources, and expertise designed to strengthen patient care and help Kansans receive high-quality healthcare close to home.