Patterson Health Center Designed to Transform Rural Healthcare in Kansas, Focuses on Wellness
Named in memory of Neal Patterson, co-founder and former CEO of Cerner
KANSAS CITY, MO – July 16, 2019 – Nationally recognized design and planning firm Gould Evans, in partnership with Kahler Slater’s team of Medical Planning Consultants, has designed the newly completed Patterson Health Center in rural Harper County, Kansas. The 62,500-square-foot facility unites two formerly separate critical access hospitals under one distinctive roof that pays homage to neighboring communities coming together.
The design of Patterson Health Center responds to the county’s need for a new, cost-effective and resilient model of rural healthcare that promotes a community of wellness. Despite being deemed crucial to a community’s health and financial success, 20% of existing rural American hospitals have been identified as at-risk of closure due to the economic stresses of population decline, outdated facilities, and shrinking healthcare reimbursements. In response to these challenges, the design team led stakeholders through a hands-on, interactive virtual reality process to co-create a space that embodies efficiency, flexibility, and healing.