Dennis Franks, who served as CEO of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute for nearly 19 years, retired this week.
A reception on Monday honored Franks’ dedication to the hospital and the community. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran attended the event.
Franks, the fourth hospital CEO in 73 years, said he has dozens of plans for retirement, including golfing, fishing and spending time with his seven grandchildren.
“They’re going to be taking up a lot of time,” Franks said.
The hospital has seen significant growth during his tenure. He said when he first arrived the hospital grossed $40 to $45 million. Now it’s about $160 million.
Wendy Brazil has taken the reins as the fifth hospital CEO effective Wednesday.
Brazil holds a juris doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law and is board-certified in health care compliance (CHC) and health care privacy compliance (CHPC). Before joining Neosho Memorial, Brazil practiced law in Topeka. With over 35 years of health care experience, Brazil has overseen significant improvements at NMRMC.
During her tenure, Brazil spearheaded the development of the medical center’s clinics, including women’s health, orthopedics, surgery and family medicine clinics in Chanute and Erie. Her leadership led to NMRMC staff earning the 2023 Guardian of Excellence Award for Medical Practices, a national award. It is the fifth year to receive the designation.
She introduced Moran at the reception. “I just wanted to express our thanks to him (Moran) because he has always been such a great supporter of our hospital and rural hospitals in general. He really works for his constituents here in Kansas and has done so much for us,” Brazil said of Moran.
Moran said Franks has been an important component of his relationship with the Chanute community. He said during his tenure he’s learned that the absence of a hospital and affordable health care diminishes the future of a community. And Chanute has recognized the importance of the hospital.
“None of this works without doctors and staff and the professionals that are in this room and that are working in the halls and rooms of the hospital this morning. But it also takes leadership, and Dennis has demonstrated that leadership, his care, compassion for the people who work here and for the community which you serve,” Moran said.
The senator said he’s been in every hospital in Kansas and has known many hospital administrators.
“But there is no finer example of health care leadership and commitment to community, commitment to the hospital, than Dennis,” Moran said.
He thanked Franks for his friendship and for his dedication to a cause that matters.
“Chanute and this region have a lot going for it, but that begins to disappear in the absence of this facility and this hospital and the health care it provides, and this place is always looking for one more way … (to) see how we do something better and different and to improve the circumstances of the people that we serve. So I appreciate you and I wish you the very best,” Moran said.
Franks gave a memento to Moran for his dedication to Neosho Memorial and rural hospitals.
In Franks’ tenure, Neosho Memorial saw growth. Some facts about this work at the hospital: — Fourth CEO in the hospital’s 73-year history.
— Continued the hospital’s Studer initiative, and its success has been highlighted by the media and in several Studer books.
— Helped the hospital receive over 150 awards, maintain accreditation and maintain OB services.
— Supported Medicaid expansion. In Neosho County, many rural residents are considered working poor, earning too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford health insurance. For that reason, Franks had worked on several initiatives, including KHA’s “Kansas Solution” to a “Bridge to a Healthy Kansas” to more recent advocacy efforts. He dedicated many hours to promoting the benefits of Medicaid expansion to the state of Kansas, Kansas hospitals and, most importantly, the Kansans who would have access to care if the program was expanded, the KHA release said.
— Served on advisory groups for Blue Cross, the University of Kansas Medical Center, American Hospital Association and Kansas Hospital Association.
— Opened the hospital’s five clinics and the SEK Impact Center. The Impact Center, which opened a year ago, houses a 300-person conference center, children’s therapy services and a new orthopedic clinic. More than $7 million was raised to fund the project through grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Kansas Department of Commerce, dozens of businesses, local donors and other sources.
— Actively served on the hospital foundation board.
In 2018, Franks and his minister personally bought over 100 bicycles to be used for a bicycle loan program. Later the program expanded to include a bike chair (like a rickshaw) funded by the NMRMC Foundation and other organizations.. Today, there are two bike chairs that operate as the Wings Like Eagles program that visits nursing homes in and around Chanute offering rides for residents.
In August 2024, Franks received the Charles S. Billings Award from the KHA. The award was created in 1971 to recognize distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the field of health care in Kansas. The award is for those who have shown their commitment, leadership and dedication to that pursuit. Franks, the 44th recipient of this award, had demonstrated these qualities during his 43-year health care career, according to a release from the KHA.
Modern Healthcare magazine has also named the hospital one of the best places to work in health care for 15 consecutive years. In addition to its 25 inpatient beds, during Franks’ tenure, NMRMC added two rural health clinics, an orthopedic clinic and an onsite corporate clinic and expanded women’s health services.
Dennis served as a member of the KHA Board of Directors from 2011-2020 and served as chair in 2019. He also served on the Healthworks (then KHERF) Board of Directors from 20102016 and was chair in 2014. He chaired the SE District from 2008-2009 and has served on numerous KHA committees, including the KHA Leadership and Governance Committee, the KHA Executive Committee, the KHA Political Action Committee, the Rural Health Visioning Technical Advisory Group and the Medicaid Provider Assessment Committee. Dennis served on AHA’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee for Rural Hospitals, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas’ Provider Advisory Committee and the KUMC Rural Health Advisory Board. He also is a Baldridge Fellow.
Franks came to Neosho Memorial in early 2006 from Pushmataha County Hospital in Antlers, Oklahoma. He replaced Murray Brown.
