Bothwell Foundation to host forum on sustaining local health care

The Bothwell Foundation will host Bothwell & the Bottom Line: What It Takes to Keep Care Local, a free forum for community members to learn about the financial landscape at Bothwell Regional Health Center and what it takes to maintain access to local health care. The event will take place at 5:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Heckart Community Center in Community Rooms A and B.

Sponsored by the foundation’s Community Relations committee, the forum will offer a transparent discussion about current financial challenges, recent news and the path forward for sustaining health care services in Sedalia and the surrounding area.

Presenters include Lori Wightman, Bothwell CEO; Marvin Smoot, Bothwell Clinic Operations vice president; and Eric Jones with Ovation Healthcare, Bothwell’s consulting and financial services partner. Wightman will focus on the realities of health care finance and reimbursement, while Smoot will share how Bothwell’s clinics play a vital role in keeping care local. Jones will speak about the broader challenges facing rural health care systems. 

Diana Nichols, chair of the Community Relations committee, said the event is an opportunity to connect with the community and foster open dialogue.

“We know people have questions, and this forum is a chance to offer clear information and listen to concerns,” she said. “Keeping care local is a shared goal, and it starts with understanding the challenges and working together.”

Light refreshments will be provided. The forum is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. The Heckart Community Center is located at 1800 W. Third St. For more information, contact Lauren Thiel-Payne, Bothwell Foundation executive director at 660.829.7786 or lthiel@brhc.org.