Ascension Via Christi

Ascension Via Christi. It is a prominent regional healthcare system within the Ascension network, primarily serving communities across Kansas with its flagship facilities located in Wichita. The system is a major academic partner for the University of Kansas School of Medicine and operates several hospitals and clinics, providing a comprehensive range of medical services. As part of the largest nonprofit health system in the United States, it integrates faith-based care with advanced clinical practices across its numerous locations.

History

The system's origins trace back to the late 19th century with the founding of its predecessor institutions by religious orders, including the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Key mergers in the 1990s, notably with the Via Christi Health System, consolidated several Wichita hospitals under a single banner. This entity later joined the national Ascension system, forming the present organization. Historical milestones include the establishment of the region's first cardiac catheterization lab and the development of a Level I Trauma Center at its main campus, which has been instrumental in serving victims of major incidents like the 2016 Wichita airport shooting.

Facilities and services

The network encompasses multiple hospital campuses in Wichita, including locations on Harry Street and St. Francis Street, as well as facilities in Pittsburg, Manhattan, and other communities. It offers a full spectrum of care, featuring renowned centers for cardiovascular health, cancer treatment through the Ascension Medical Group, neurosciences, and women's and infant services, including a high-level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The system also provides extensive behavioral health programs, rehabilitation services, and operates numerous primary and specialty care clinics throughout the state.

Medical staff and residency programs

As a core teaching site for the University of Kansas School of Medicine, it hosts numerous graduate medical education programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. These include residencies in fields such as internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, and psychiatry, attracting medical graduates from institutions like the Kansas City University. The medical staff comprises hundreds of physicians, many of whom are faculty for the University of Kansas and participate in clinical research initiatives, often presented at national forums like the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

Community involvement

The organization maintains a strong commitment to community health through outreach programs aligned with the Ascension mission. Key initiatives include community health needs assessments, free health screenings, and support for vulnerable populations through partnerships with local organizations such as the United Way of the Plains and the Kansas Food Bank. It also engages in wellness education, chronic disease management programs, and sponsors community events like the Wichita River Festival, emphasizing preventive care and overall well-being beyond hospital walls.

Awards and recognition

It has received numerous accolades for clinical quality and patient safety from national evaluators. These include repeated "A" Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, recognition as a High Performing Hospital in specific specialties by U.S. News & World Report, and awards for excellence in cardiac care and stroke treatment from the American Heart Association. The system's nursing teams have also been honored with the ANCC Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence, a prestigious designation held by only a select group of hospitals worldwide.

Category:Hospitals in Kansas Category:Teaching hospitals in the United States Category:Wichita, Kansas Category:Healthcare companies based in Kansas Category:Ascension (healthcare system)