At a time when rural hospitals are shutting down nationwide, Excelsior Springs Hospital (ESH) is pushing forward with expanded behavioral health care, increased meal access, new partnerships and a culture rooted in resilience.

“Giving up here is never an option,” said ESH CEO Kristen DeHart, during her annual update to the Excelsior Springs City Council. “Our team is a basic part of healing in our community. Our community relies on us.”

DeHart noted the hospital remains stable but under immense pressure as national challenges for critical access hospitals intensify.

“There’s a heavy reliance on Medicare and Medicaid, which often are not covering,” stated Dehart. “As you all are aware, we are operating with very thin margins.”

DeHart highlighted the work of third-party consulting group Stroudwater, which specializes in helping rural and critical access hospitals.

“They’re really focused right now, hyper- focused, on critical access hospitals and helping rural health by doing free in-services…