A Vital Investment: Help William Newton Hospital Reach its Emergency Department Goal

Nov 26, 2025

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As the holiday season approaches, communities across the nation prepare for Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to generosity. This year, the focus for our community is vital: supporting the William Newton Hospital (WNH) Emergency Department (ED) Expansion.

WNH is a cornerstone of our community. The hospital team provides high-quality care with unwavering compassion, drawing patients from Winfield and surrounding counties. This exceptional care has led to increasing demand, with ER visits reaching a record high in 2024 of 10,790.

Why an Expanded ER is Essential

While WNH’s emergency care is excellent, the current facility — last significantly renovated in 1981 — is outdated and crowded. The limitations of the ER’s infrastructure challenge our skilled team to provide the high-level care patients expect and deserve.

The expansion and renovation plan, developed with input from WNH staff and a national advisory board, will ensure WNH remains a leader in rural healthcare. The plans address critical needs such as safety, privacy, efficiency, accessibility, and enhanced parking.

“All of these enhancements streamline the entire process,” says WNH Emergency Room Medical Director Rodrick Heger, DO. ”We’ll see improvements in the time spent to bring a patient in and get them the care they need.”

Your Year-End Gift Matters Now More Than Ever

The total capital and non-capital costs for the renovation and expansion are approximately $8 million. Given the financial challenges facing rural healthcare, this project relies fully on community support championed by the William Newton Healthcare Foundation (WNHF), the philanthropic arm of WNH.

Our Second Century Campaign Phase 2 goal is within reach! As of November 24, 2025, the community has raised $6.7 million of the $8 million goal, leaving just $1.3 million to go.

Crucially, your gift now has the power to double its impact through a generous $500,000 dollar-for-dollar match opportunity from an anonymous WNHF donor. So far, $161,832 has been raised towards this match, meaning $338,168 is still needed to maximize this funding. The deadline for this match is December 20, 2025.

Furthermore, federal tax laws are changing on January 1, 2026. For those who itemize, accelerating your charitable contributions into 2025 may offer greater tax efficiency before new limits on itemized charitable deductions take effect.

Supporting this expansion is an investment in our local community's quality of life and well-being for generations to come. Help your community hospital meet its match deadline and attain the modern facility it needs.

To donate, visit WNHFoundation.org or call William Newton Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Annika Morris at 620-222-6276.