Atchison Hospital is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 hospital, that's community owned and locally governed by a volunteer board. We've been granted our not-for-profit status because we provide health care to the public - which the federal government considers an 'essential community service' - and we re-invest all of our net income into our hospital and the communities we serve, rather than distributing it to individual owners or shareholders.
Our greatest challenge in a small community is the difficulty of raising adequate money to fund infrastructure and keep pace with technological advancements. As our community's only hospital, we bear the cost of continually improving not only the quality of care for our patients, but also assuring that there is access to care for the elderly, the poor, and the uninsured. Atchison Hospital provides thousands of dollars in charity care and uncompensated care each year. And we work with individuals and families who have healthcare bills and need a payment plan that works for their family.
Our focus is long term, and your involvement is appreciated.
Because Atchison Hospital operates as a not-for-profit hospital, we are sensitive to our charitable mission, which is the long-term improvement of the quality of life in our community. This means that we focus on the prevention of disease as well as its treatment. We reach outside the walls of our hospital and provide clinics in rural areas, and access to visiting specialists, as well as support groups and classes. We continually strive to find new ways to keep people healthy and ways to return them to health more quickly after injury or illness.
With a ninety-four year history of community involvement, Atchison regularly supports programs and activities that improve the quality of life outside our hospital walls. Each year, we sponsor a community-wide Health Fair to bring free screening and health education to our town. We assist with the annual Earth Day Clean Up, and sponsor an annual production of Theatre Atchison, to assure our community has fine arts programming for children from all economic backgrounds.
We support our schools, our YMCA, our local historical festivals, and provide emergency medical services to numerous enjoyable events throughout the year. Our employees give generously each year to the Atchison United Way. Because of our proud heritage of caring for our community for nearly a century, we are equally sensitive to preparing for the future. Our stewardship obligation means we must look ahead, and leave a continued legacy for the children who play in our school yards today, and their grandchildren who will someday follow after. We are dedicated to making sure we're ready for the needs of tomorrow as well as today.