Monday, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 |
Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo
Recent revenue numbers indicate that Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is beginning to see a turnaround after years of financial hardship.
For years, rural hospitals across the country have struggled with low-to-slow reimbursements from insurance companies, limited patient volume, and challenges in recruiting new providers and specialists. Memorial Hospital in Rawlins has been no exception. The challenges have been real.
Hospital officials here attribute the positive shift at MHCC to a combination of strategic decision-making, a renewed focus on operational efficiency, and a series of leadership changes that have positioned the hospital for sustainable growth.
Last week, Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle at the hospital shared a social media post highlighting key improvements that the medical facility has achieved over the past year.
Hinkle said she wants to inform the public that Memorial Hospital is beginning to recover, despite the nationwide downturn.
Hinkle said that earlier this year, the Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees hired Kerry Ashment as Chief Executive Officer and Joy Coulston as Chief Financial Officer. Ashment, who brings 26 years of executive healthcare experience, joined the hospital in March, replacing Interim CEO Gerald Parton. Coulston, appointed in July, has 19 years of experience in healthcare finance. Hinkle said the medical facility is making strong progress under the new leadership.
The addition of a full-time CEO and CFO isn’t the only reason Memorial Hospital is improving. Hinkle emphasized that the hospital’s dedicated medical staff have spent years working to strengthen operations and deliver more consistent care.
Hinkle said Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has also seen an increase in inpatient admissions. In 2024, the 25-bed facility saw an average of 1.8 patients per day. This year, that number has risen to seven. Hinkle clarified that not all 25 beds are designated for inpatient care, with several reserved for emergency room visits and post-surgical recovery.
The Chief Operating Officer said the increased patient census is a sign that Memorial Hospital is improving.
Also in her social media release, Hinkle announced that Memorial Hospital has increased its cash on hand, or the number of days it can operate without new income. Hinkle said that figure has grown from two days to 17 over the past year, adding that administrators are working to maintain that momentum.
Memorial Hospital administrators have also created a reserve account, commonly referred to as a rainy-day fund, to ensure employees are always paid on time.
Additionally, Hinkle said Memorial Hospital has scored at or above the state average on its Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. The Chief Operating Officer said the high level of patient satisfaction confirms that recent improvements are having a positive impact.
With the growing challenges faced by rural hospitals, Hinkle emphasized the importance of providing the public with accurate information about the status of their local medical facility.
As part of its ongoing push for transparency, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is hosting its first community meeting next month. Hinkle said the public will receive updates on the facility’s progress and sustainability, with an opportunity to ask questions of hospital administrators. Hinkle said she hopes the meeting will provide the community with the facts needed to counter misinformation about the hospital.
The Memorial Hospital of Carbon County community town hall meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9th, in the hospital cafeteria. Light refreshments will be provided during the event.
Attendees are asked to register ahead of time so staff will be prepared for the estimated turnout. A QR code linking to the registration website is included on the event flyer.
Additionally, Memorial Hospital has launched a community survey, inviting residents and medical providers to share anonymous feedback on the medical center’s strategic priorities. A link to the online survey can be found on the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Facebook page.
