The new Orthopedic Unit at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) will move deeper into sports medicine as the result of an agreement the hospital reached with Hutchinson Community College (HCC). The agreement designates Hutch Regional as the provider of choice for the college’s athletic department. 

More than 350 student athletes who participate in HCC sports will benefit from  the partnership. 

Services the athletes will have access to include a dedicated 18 room Orthopedics wing with a recovery gym on the floor, a Mako Stryker Robotic Arm that allows surgeons to operate with great precision on knee replacements and the finest MRI in the region. 

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS), said the hospital and HCC already enjoy a long-term special relationship. “Many Hutch Regional employees are HCC graduates and we are benefactors of the excellent education through the college’s Nursing Program and Allied Health Professionals Program,” Johnson said. “Also, the Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation annually makes scholarship grants to the HCC Nursing Program.” 

“Hutchinson Regional Medical Center took a giant step forward this week to partner with one of Kansas’ oldest and finest community colleges,” Johnson continued. 

Josh Gooch, HCC Athletic Director, said the partnership has, to date, exceeded all expectations. Dr. Carter File, HCC President, said the college will now receive what he called world class support from the Hutch Regional Orthopedic Unit. 

Duke, the Blue Dragon mascot for HCC, attended to announcement and seemed pleased with the new partnership.