Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital

Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital (TCLMH) in Wakeeney, KS, is a county-owned 17-bed critical access hospital providing inpatient, emergency and outpatient services. Rural health clinics are located in WaKeeney and Ellis. An attached 37-bed Long Term Care unit, 16-bed Assisted Living complex, and Home Delivered Meals complete the package by providing all aspects of care under one roof.

The idea for a hospital in WaKeeney first originated back to the early 1920’s. However, this plan failed and was forgotten. The will of John Lemke was the impetus that resulted in the birth of Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. His will provided that proceeds from the sale of real estate be used for the building of the Lemke Memorial Hospital.

The hospital opened for business on January 12, 1951, with 6 nurses, 6 nurse aides, a lab technician, cook, housekeeper, maintenance man, office clerk and an administrator. 1965 found the hospital with a need for more space in the form of a Long-Term Care Facility. While the Government planned the advent of Medicare, work on the new facility began. The dedication was held in 1967, and National Accreditation was earned in 1968.

The hospital continued to prosper, and in 1982 a new Birthing Room, Surgical Suite, Emergency Area, Laboratory, and X-ray Department were added. Patient rooms were renovated and enlarged. The new hospital was dedicated in 1987.

A new Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Wellness Center and Patient Registration additions were completed in 2000, along with a kitchen renovation. Effective April 1, 2003, the facility became a Critical Access Hospital with 25 beds. In November 2004, the voters approved a $3.2 million dollar bond issue to remodel the existing 37-bed Long Term Care Facility, and to add a Physician Clinic and Six Bed Assisting Living. Dedication of the new improvements was held in March of 2006. In February 2006, a satellite Physicians Clinic was opened in Ellis.

TCLMH recently completed a major $13.6 million renovation and expansion project. The project held its official ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on February 26, 2025, with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly in attendance. Key Features of the expansion include; a) 11 new private patient rooms, b) a new, modernized emergency room, c) therapy upgrades such as expanded physical and occupational therapy suites, featuring three private treatment rooms and a new aqua therapy (hydrotherapy) pool, d) remodeled clinic space for new physicians, e) addition of four assisted living apartments, and f) an expanded laboratory designed to provide more privacy for patients.

Today, TCLMH has 115 FTEs, including a medical staff consisting of two physicians, two physician assistants, and two nurse practitioners (including one specializing in behavioral health), generating $17.5M in net patient revenues. Days cash on hand is 91 ($5M).

https://www.tclmh.org

Services include:

Inpatient: 17-bed critical access hospital.

Medical Clinics: Rural health clinics in Wakeeney and Ellis.

Long-Term Care & Assisted Living: 37-bed LTC and 16-bed Assisted Living.

Specialty Services:

  • General Surgery (two surgeons)
  • Pain Management
  • Telemedicine
    • Psychiatry
    • Neurology
    • Allergy/Immunology
    • Rheumatology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Pulmonology

Radiology:

  • MRI
  • 3-D Mammography
  • Digital X-Ray
  • CT
  • Ultrasound
  • DXA Bone Density
  • Nuclear Medicine

Rehab Services:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
  • Cardiac Rehab
  • Cancer Wellness
  • Wellness Center

Food and Nutrition Services: TCLMH offers Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. MNT is a nutrition-based treatment and focuses on assessing the individual nutrition status and providing an individualized nutrition plan for their conditions. Conditions may include the following: diabetes, obesity, GI disorders, weight loss, liver or kidney disease, food intolerances, metabolic disorders, eating disorders.

Senior Life Solutions: Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older, experiencing depression or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging.

Laboratory: The lab services include chemistry, coagulation, DOT & non-DOT drug screen collections, hematology, immunochemistry, direct access testing, serology, therapeutic drug monitoring, and urinalysis.

Respiratory Therapy: The Respiratory Therapy department offers full-service testing and therapy care to all ages on an inpatient, outpatient, and emergency basis. Services include diagnostic sleep studies, titration sleep studies, split night sleep studies, home sleep studies, EEG, pulmonary function testing, diffusion studies, plethysmography, overnight oximetry, 6-minute walk ambulatory/oximetry testing, pulmonary rehab, and RSV/bronchiolitis clinic.

Emergency Services: The TCLMH Emergency Department team provides highly skilled, up-to-date, professional care for all those coming to the hospital with an emergency condition. Emergency Care is provided by a Physician and Registered Nurses who are Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and ready to meet any emergency need 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Swing Bed Program: TCLMH offers a Medicare-sponsored swing bed program, providing transitional care for patients recovering from surgery, injury, or illness.

Position Overview

The CEO reports to the five-member TCLMH Board of Trustees (appointed by County Commissioners to three-year terms) and is responsible for general management and supervision of all aspects of the organization, including operations, finance, patient care, and service line development. Supervises the executive team of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Long-Term Care Director of Nursing, and Human Resources Director, as well as several department directors.

Essential Functions

  1. Provides visionary leadership that inspires the highest levels of performance in the delivery of health care, business and clinical operations to achieve TCLMH’s mission, vision and values.

  1. Develops with the Board of Trustees and hospital leadership short and long-range strategic goals and objectives.

  1. Carries out policies established by the Board of Trustees and advises on the formation of those policies.

  1. Maintains regular communication with the board, physicians and staff of TCLMH.

  1. Oversees the adequacy and soundness of the organization’s financial standing and reporting.

  1. Establishes a culture of collaboration and open communication that enhances the provision of excellent patient care and high patient satisfaction. Provides an environment that is safe for employees and patients.

  1. Focuses on workforce development, recruitment, retention, and employee engagement.

  1. Protects TCLMH's assets, to include collection and expenditure of funds to best possible advantage, and maintenance of TCLMH's physical properties in safe and operational condition.

  1. Attends all meetings of the TCLMH Board of Trustees and presents regularly to the Board of Trustees, or its authorized committees, periodic reports reflecting the professional services and financial activities of TCLMH, and such special reports as may be required by the Board of Trustees.

  1. Attends appropriate meetings of TCLMH's Medical Staff and its committees. Collaborates with the Medical Staff and all those providing patient care to ensure the best possible care is given to all patients. Serves as a liaison and channel of communication between the Board of Trustees and its committees and the Medical Staff.

  1. Ensures TCLMH continually meets required standards of licensing and accrediting agencies and informs the Board of Trustees of all inspection and survey results from regulatory and review agencies that officially report on TCLMH's operations.

  1. Fosters strong community relations and develops collaborative partnerships that advance the interest of the organization and contribute to the health and well-being of the communities served.

  1. Participates in local, state and national professional and institutional associations to enhance and improve personal and Institutional competence, especially as it relates to the changing dynamics of healthcare delivery and reimbursement. Represents TCLMH and the health care industry to the various publics served by or related to TCLMH.

Candidate Experience and Competencies

TCLMH is seeking an energetic, strategic and visionary leader to guide TCLMH through the complex issues and reimbursement challenges currently facing rural healthcare organizations. The CEO will demonstrate excellent communication and relationship skills and can work with a diverse group of people, including the board, staff, physicians, donors, community partners and patients. TCLMH seeks individuals who will foster a culture of collaboration, be approachable, thoughtful, ethical and possess the business acumen to maintain and enhance the organization’s financial viability.

  • A master’s degree in healthcare or business administration or related field is required, with FACHE-designation preferred.

  • Experience in a critical access hospital is strongly preferred.

  • A minimum of five years’ senior leadership experience is required, and previous CEO experience preferred (but not required).

  • Candidates should have demonstrated leadership accomplishments in the overall improvement of strategic, financial and operational performance of an organization.

  • Candidates must present with excellent communication and listening skills.

  • The right candidate is a leader who is visible, engaging, has an open-door policy, does not micro-manage, and breaks down silos by encouraging teamwork.

  • The ability to build and maintain credibility with key constituents/stakeholders within the organization and the community.

  • Must be adept at developing and executing a plan that links strategy and finance.

  • Broad understanding of healthcare issues, including reimbursement trends, is essential.

  • Candidates must be cognizant of medical staff and caregivers’ perspectives.

  • Prior physician recruitment and integration experience, including contract negotiation, is strongly preferred.

  • Must be civic minded with the ability to build relationships with key community partners, as well as be accessible and visible to the communities TCLMH serves.

The Community

Trego County is a rural county located in west-central Kansas, along Interstate 70. Known for its wide-open prairies and limestone bluffs, it has a population of approximately 2,800 residents as of the 2020 census. The county seat and largest city is WaKeeney, which is famous for its elaborate Christmas displays, earning it the nickname "Christmas City of the High Plains".

Cedar Bluff State Park & Reservoir is a premier outdoor destination in Trego County, Kansas, known for its striking 150-foot-tall limestone bluffs. The park is split into two distinct areas: the highly developed Bluffton Area on the north shore and the more secluded Page Creek Area on the south shore. The Bluffton Area is the primary hub for activity, featuring 22 full-hookup RV sites, nearly 100 water/electric sites, and 100 primitive sites. Amenities include playgrounds, a BMX track, an archery range, and a designated swimming beach. The Page Creek Area offers a quieter atmosphere with 36 utility sites and 50 primitive sites. It provides access to the namesake bluffs and extensive hiking trails.

Cedar Bluff Reservoir is a 6,800-acre body of water popular for boating, jet skiing, and fishing. It is considered one of the state's premier walleye fisheries. Other activities include hiking (the Agave Ridge Nature Trail is a top-rated 4-mile moderate loop, and a shorter, 1-mile paved interpretive trail is also available for an easier walk) and wildlife viewing (visitors frequently spot mule and whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, and in winter, bald and golden eagles).

There is also Threshing Machine Canyon, located west of the park, which was a station on the Butterfield Overland Despatch trail. It contains historic limestone carvings dating back to the mid-1800s.

WaKeeney is a historic rural community, serving as the county seat of Trego County and situated along I-70, approximately halfway between Denver and Kansas City. Known as the "Christmas City of the High Plains," the town is famous for its massive holiday display, a tradition since 1950 that features a 35-foot Christmas tree and over 6,800 lights. With a population of approximately 1,800, Wakeeney offers a variety of shopping, restaurants (from national chains to local fare), and amenities. Additional options are available in Hays, a community of over 21,000 with a state university, located just 30 miles east on I-70.

Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Location
Wakeeney KS