Ray County Hospital and Healthcare

03/07/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

There are at least 64 million adults in the United States who report having sustained a traumatic brain injury in their lifetimes. That's a staggering number and a reminder of how important it is to protect the people we love.

Brain injuries can happen in an instant. A fall. A car accident. A hit during a game. And the effects can last a lifetime.

If you or someone you love is living with a brain injury, you're not alone. The Brain Injury Association of America has resources, support groups, and guidance available at biausa.org.

03/05/2026

Ray County Hospital and Healthcare is actively hiring for multiple nursing positions across our facility. Whether you're looking for full-time, part-time, or PRN work, we have opportunities for you to make a difference in your community.

We're hiring RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and House Supervisors with day, night, and midshift options available in our Emergency Room, Medical/Surgical Unit, and other departments.

Join a team of compassionate professionals dedicated to providing exceptional care to our neighbors. We offer flexible scheduling options and a supportive work environment where your skills and dedication truly matter.

Ready to serve your community close to home? Apply today at rayhealthcare.org/careers

03/05/2026

Meet Cathie Vanover, our Employee of the Month! 🌟

Cathie is a CNA in our Medical Surgical Unit, and her compassionate care and positive attitude make a real difference for patients at Ray County Hospital and Healthcare.

A recent patient shared: "She took such good care of me and went above and beyond to make sure I had what I needed – always pleasant with a smile. She never makes me feel bad for asking for something. Very professional but also very encouraging!"

Thank you, Cathie, for the exceptional care you provide to our community every day!

03/02/2026

Thank you to Lisa DeKezel for joining us today! We enjoyed hearing about her vision for Ray County Hospital and Healthcare. With over 30 years of healthcare leadership experience and a deep passion for rural healthcare, Lisa is committed to ensuring our community has access to exceptional care close to home. We're grateful to have her leadership in Ray County and look forward to seeing the hospital thrive under her guidance!

03/01/2026

We know MRIs can feel a little intimidating, especially if tight spaces make you nervous. That's why we chose the Siemens MAGNETOM Espree — it has the widest opening available at 73cm (nearly 30 inches), so you have significantly more room and comfort during your scan. For many procedures, your head stays completely outside the machine.

And our licensed MRI technologists? They're some of the best at putting nervous patients at ease. They'll walk you through everything before your scan starts, stay in communication with you the whole time, and do everything they can to make sure you're comfortable.

You shouldn't have to drive 30 minutes to Kansas City for advanced imaging, and you shouldn't have to dread it either. We're right here, close to home, making sure you get high-quality images and a comfortable experience.

Have questions about scheduling an MRI? Give us a call at

02/27/2026

Patty has been working for the community she was born and raised in since 1972—that's over 50 years of dedication! She's trained at both Independence San and NKC Hospital in Nuclear Medicine, bringing specialized expertise to our hospital.

"What motivates me is Ray County Hospital," Patty shares simply. "Working for the community I was born and raised in, I have been a rad tech since 1972 and have been employed at Ray County Memorial Hospital ever since."

Patty has enjoyed doing x-rays and CT scans as part of our tight-knit team serving the people of our area. Thank you for your incredible legacy of service, Patty! 💙

02/26/2026

Calling all rehabilitation patients! 💪

If you're enrolled in pulmonary rehabilitation or regular physical therapy, especially for chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions, Pulmonary Function Tests are an important tool for tracking your progress.

PFTs help your care team:
✓ Monitor how your lungs are responding to treatment
✓ Adjust your rehabilitation plan for better results
✓ Measure improvements in your breathing capacity
✓ Guide your ongoing care decisions.

We reintroduced Pulmonary Function Testing in October to better serve patients throughout their healthcare journey, from diagnosis through recovery and ongoing management.

Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or working to improve your physical fitness, we're here to support your progress every step of the way.

Questions about PFT testing? Call 816-470-5432 to speak with our team.

02/24/2026

Did you know that more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen outside of a hospital every year in the United States? And right now, only about 40% of people nearby step in to help.

You don't need a medical degree to save a life. You need knowledge, courage, and the willingness to act. For adults and teens, Hands-Only CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. It's two simple steps: call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

This American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is calling on all of us to join the Nation of Lifesavers. In a cardiac emergency, you are the first responder until help arrives — whether you're at home, at the store, or at your kid's game.

Learn CPR today at heart.org/nation. It could be the most important thing you ever learn.

02/21/2026

Need an MRI? You don't have to travel to Kansas City for advanced imaging technology.

Ray County Hospital and Healthcare's Siemens MAGNETOM Espree MRI features:
• The widest bore opening on the market (73cm)
• 60% of exams with your head outside the machine
• Shorter exam times
• Superior image quality
• The same technology used in major medical centers

Our experienced technologists prioritize your comfort while capturing the detailed images your physician needs for an accurate diagnosis.

Questions about MRI imaging? Call 816-470-5432.

If your physician has recommended an MRI, you may have questions or concerns. It's completely normal to feel a little apprehensive about a medical procedure

02/19/2026

February is American Heart Month, and it's a topic close to home for all of us. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, but so much of it is preventable.

At Ray County Hospital and Healthcare, we're committed to helping our community stay heart-healthy. From our Cardiac Rehabilitation program to the care you receive from our providers every day, we're here to make sure you have access to the resources you need close to home.

This month, take a moment to know your numbers. Talk to your doctor about your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. Small steps today can make a big difference for your heart tomorrow.

02/18/2026

Struggling to breathe or constantly feeling exhausted affects more than just your body; it impacts your work, your relationships, and your ability to enjoy the things that matter most.

That's why diagnostic testing is so important. Our Pulmonary Function Tests and Home Sleep Tests provide answers that lead to treatment, helping you get back to living fully.

Whether you're a farmer who needs to keep up with demanding physical work, a teacher who needs energy for the classroom, or a grandparent who wants to play with the grandkids without getting winded, we're here to help you feel like yourself again.

At Ray County Hospital and Healthcare, we don't just run tests. We partner with you to improve your quality of life. Because you're not just a patient to us, you're our neighbor, our friend, and part of our community.

Call 816-470-5432 to schedule your Pulmonary Function Test or Home Sleep Test today.

02/17/2026

February is Heart Month, and we're celebrating by spotlighting one of the dedicated professionals behind our cardiac care services.

Meet Sami Kane, our cardiac sonographer. Sami has been passionate about science her entire life. She earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology and found her calling while job shadowing an echo tech. That was over 20 years ago.

Today, Sami provides cardiac imaging that helps our doctors make critical decisions about patient care. What she values most about working at Ray County Hospital and Healthcare is the team environment.

"The team here allows me to connect with my patients so I won't miss critical details to pass along to our cardiac physicians. The trust they have in me makes me proud and drives me to provide the very best ultrasounds."

This Heart Month, we're grateful for team members like Sami who work every day to keep our community's hearts healthy