Citizens Health Celebrates Grand Opening of New South Campus in Colby
January 22, 2026
The lobby of the new South Campus at Citizens’ Medical Center was filled with anticipation Thursday morning as community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents gathered to celebrate a milestone years in the making. On January 22, 2026, Citizens Health officially marked the grand opening of its new South Campus in Colby, a facility that many speakers described as both a commitment to the present and an investment in the future of northwest Kansas.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere reflected the significance of the occasion. Coffee and water were available alongside a charcuterie table featuring cheeses, meats, and crackers, as several hundred attendees filled the lobby and surrounding spaces. Local business leaders, officials from Colby Community College, healthcare professionals, and elected representatives mingled ahead of the ceremony, underscoring the broad community support behind the project.
Although the ribbon cutting marked the public celebration, hospital leaders noted that the facility had already been operational for more than three weeks. That early transition allowed staff to begin caring for patients while the community prepared to formally recognize the achievement.
Board Chairman Bob Standage opened the ceremony by reflecting on the long journey that led to the new campus. He emphasized that the project was the result of more than a decade of planning, thousands of hours of work, and a deliberate focus on efficiency and functionality. Standage highlighted how medical staff were directly involved in the design process, ensuring that the building would truly serve the needs of both patients and providers. He also thanked past and present trustees, hospital leadership, and staff, noting that the building itself is a tool, but it is the people who deliver care.
Chief Executive Officer David McCorkle echoed that sentiment, elaborating that this moment was more than just ceremonial. He said the new campus secures long-term healthcare access for northwest Kansas and provides staff with the environment and resources needed to do their best work. McCorkle also recognized the partnerships that made the project possible, including support from state and federal agencies, and stressed that the facility is designed to carry Citizens Health and the region forward for generations.
Matt Godinez, Assistant Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Quality Places Division, spoke on behalf of Governor Laura Kelly’s administration, calling the facility a prime example of how local, state, and federal partners can collaborate to produce transformational results. Jimmie Jo Jansonius, State Director of Rural Development, emphasized that investments like this are about more than infrastructure, describing the hospital as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the region that will pay dividends for generations.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran added on the importance of rural healthcare access, noting that decisions like those made in Colby determine whether communities can thrive long into the future. He tied the new campus not only to patient care, but also to economic vitality, workforce recruitment, and the ability for families and seniors to remain in the communities they call home.
Following the remarks, the Colby Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau led the official ribbon cutting, formally opening the doors of the South Campus. Many attendees remained afterward to visit with friends and colleagues, turning the event into a social and networking opportunity for local leaders.
Speakers repeatedly returned to a common theme throughout the morning: at a time when many rural hospitals are scaling back services, Colby has chosen to expand. The new South Campus not only enhances current care, but positions Citizens Health to add services, attract talented professionals, and strengthen Colby’s role as a regional hub. As several noted, the impact will extend beyond healthcare, supporting local businesses, hotels, and the overall economy.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, the sense of pride was unmistakable. The elegance and scope of the new facility stood as a visible reminder that, in Colby, the future of rural healthcare is not something being waited on, but something actively being built.
