WEDNESDAY, September 9, 2026|
Photo – MHCC – Bigfoot99 file photo
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County administrators reported continued improvements.
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has spent the past two years working to recover from a significant financial deficit resulting from low reimbursement rates, staffing shortages, and inconsistent patient volume. In January 2025, the hospital had just 3 days of cash on hand. As a result, the medical center owed more than $9 million to vendors and partners. In addition, a proposed taxpayer‑funded hospital district intended to cover maintenance costs failed in 2024.
Last April, Kerry Ashment was selected as chief executive officer for Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Soon after, Ashment brought chief financial officer Joy Coulston on board to improve the hospital’s financial position. Since then, administrators have worked to reduce debt, strengthen patient billing, and build cash reserves.
During the September 1st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Memorial Hospital representatives provided the Board with an update on the status of the Rawlins medical center. CFO Joy Coulston reported that the hospital generated $119,000 in July, further strengthening its financial position.
Coulston said the increased revenue came from a higher patient census, rising from 3.87 patients per day in June to 6.9 in July. She also said cost‑cutting efforts are working.
CFO Coulston said Memorial Hospital’s new billing management company, TruBridge, has enabled the facility to receive more patient payments, improving revenue. After switching from the previous billing company, Cerner, in April, Coulston said staff uncovered multiple issues that should have been addressed years earlier. She said nearly all of those problems have been resolved, resulting in increased billing speed and accuracy.
Coulston said she expects the hospital to receive $2.5 million in outstanding payments in August.
Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle said TruBridge has helped the medical center identify and correct billing issues.
Chief Operating Officer Hinkle continued, announcing that Memorial Hospital has secured a new family medicine practitioner, Jacque George. George is the wife of Medicine Bow Mayor Justin George. Hinkle said the new provider is enthusiastic about joining the organization.
Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has also partnered with Psychiatric Medical Care, out of Nashville, Tennessee, to offer Senior Life Solutions. Hinkle said the program provides hospital‑based outpatient mental health care for older adults.
Hinkle said Memorial Hospital staff and Senior Life Solutions representatives will conduct a public outreach effort in early 2027 to inform community members and local medical providers about the new service. She added that Rawlins is only the third community in Wyoming to offer Senior Life Solutions, alongside Thermopolis and Buffalo. Despite being based in Rawlins, Hinkle said the program will be available to all Carbon County residents.
