SMITH CENTER, Kan. – The administration and board of trustees at Smith County Memorial Hospital honored Dr. Joe Barnes on Tuesday, Oct. 26 during their regular monthly meeting. Barnes was nominated by staff at the hospital for the Kansas Hospital Association’s Trustee of the Year award.
“We’re pleased we have a strong group of leaders on our board of trustees,” said Allen Van Driel, CEO of the hospital. “Dr. Barnes, in particular, provides great insight into how our building functions for the best possible patient care. He was instrumental in communicating the needs of our staff when making decisions about building a new facility.”
The KHA award recognizes and honors hospital board members who are leaders, give back to the community and routinely go beyond the call of duty. Nominees should demonstrate leadership, commitment of both time and talent, advocacy and impact.
KHA honored nine nominees for the award at their annual convention on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Barnes was nominated for the award by Tammy Windscheffel and has served on the board for six years. He was a physician at Smith County Family practice from 1985 until he transitioned to the role of medical director for hospice in 2014.
In her nomination, Windscheffel praises Barnes’ leadership as a provider at the clinic for 29 years.
“Within a year [of arriving at SCFP] he found himself the only primary care provider for this county of 4,000,” said Windscheffel. “He recruited another primary care provider a year later and was active in recruiting other physicians, specialists, surgeons and mid-levels to practice. By doing so, he developed stability and a reputation for quality care in this county.”
Barnes can also be applauded for establishing the clinic’s quick care model to improve access to healthcare. As a board member, he spoke to numerous community organizations about the necessity of upgrading Smith County’s healthcare facilities.
“As a member of the hospital board of trustees, the physician of a 14-county hospice/palliative care service with an extensive history in primary care and a resident and active member of Smith County, he is able to bind each of these entities together for the improvement of all,” said Windscheffel.