The Rooks County Health Center (RCH) will hold its Annual Meeting and Board of Trustees election on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the hospital in Plainville. The Annual Meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., with Board Elections happening from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the hospital.

This year, just one of the five board positions will be on the ballot, and voters from the hospital’s taxing district are eligible to cast their votes.

The current RCH Board of Trustees members are Dr. Shelbe Darnell, Brad Plumer, Dr. Daniel Sanchez, Jay Casey, and Anna Muir.

The position up for election this year is Brad Plumer, who currently serves as President of the Board of Directors, and he is seeking another three-year term on the board. There were no other individuals seeking the position.

Everyone in the county is encouraged to “get out and vote.” The only areas excluded from the hospital taxing district are Bow Creek, Sugar Loaf, Alcona, Belmont, and those within the city limits of Palco and Damar.

The Board of Trustees plays a vital role in guiding the hospital’s direction and operations. Established in 1954, the board consists of five members who serve three-year terms. Trustees ensure the hospital is properly equipped, efficiently managed, and financially sound. They oversee the development of the annual budget and work to uphold the hospital’s mission of delivering quality healthcare to the community.

Board members are also accountable to donors, the public, and the district as a whole, ensuring that the hospital’s services remain strong and sustainable for generations to come.

See the Q & A below, including a brief biography and the responses to key questions, submitted by Brad Plumer.

Brad Plumer

Brad resides in Stockton and has been the owner of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Homes in Stockton and Plainville since 2011. Born in Manhattan, he was raised in Salina and graduated from Salina High School South in 1992, later earning his degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College of Mortuary Science in 1996.

Brad and his wife, Daphne, were married in 1995 and have three daughters: Malynn Beougher (25), married to Brady Beougher; Chloe Brummer (22), married to Ethan Brummer; and Claire (20). They also have two grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Throughout his career, Brad has been dedicated to serving families across central and western Kansas, working as a funeral director and embalmer in several communities before becoming an owner of funeral homes serving Stockton, Plainville, Hill City, Wilson, Hoxie, Oberlin, and Norton.

Since moving to western Kansas in 2006, he has remained actively involved in his community, including serving on the Trego County–Lemke Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees in WaKeeney from 2007 to 2011. He is also a member of the Lions Club, has served as a past member of the Kansas Funeral Director Association Board, and remains committed to supporting the communities he serves.

Q & A With Candidate 1 What special skills, talents, or knowledge do you possess that will be an asset to the hospital and the board?

I bring nearly a decade of combined hospital board experience, including five years of prior service before moving to Rooks County and four years currently serving on the Rooks County Health Center Board of Trustees. This continuity has given me a strong understanding of hospital governance, strategic planning, financial oversight, and the regulatory environment in which rural healthcare systems operate.

During my time on the board, I have developed a deep familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities facing Rooks County Health Center, including workforce recruitment, patient access, and long-term sustainability. I approach decisions with a focus on data, fiscal responsibility, and the organization’s long-term health.

I also value collaboration and clear communication. I work well with fellow trustees, the administration, and community stakeholders to ensure that decisions reflect sound governance and the needs of the community we serve. My experience allows me to contribute immediately and thoughtfully, while continuing to learn and adapt as healthcare evolves.

Why do you want to be a member of the hospital board?

I want to continue serving on the hospital board to support the high-quality healthcare provided in Rooks County and to help ensure its continued growth and stability. I am committed to strengthening our local healthcare system so it can meet the needs of our community now and in the future.

Are you willing to commit whatever time and support are required to meet the hospital’s needs?

Yes, I am fully committed to dedicating the time and support required to meet the hospital’s needs. As current Board President, I understand the responsibilities involved and remain committed to serving in a leadership role to support the hospital’s continued success.

Can you support and champion the board’s decisions, even if you cast a dissenting vote?

Yes, absolutely. I believe in unified leadership and the importance of presenting a cohesive front once decisions are made.

While thoughtful discussion and differing viewpoints are essential, the board ultimately functions as a team, and I am committed to supporting and championing its decisions.

What do you see as RCH’s greatest challenges?

RCH’s greatest challenges are workforce shortages, particularly physician recruitment and retention, and financial sustainability. As a rural hospital, we operate on thin margins and rely heavily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. In addition, a declining population will continue to affect patient volumes and revenue, while fixed costs remain high and increase.

How should the hospital best overcome those challenges?

The hospital can best address these challenges by continuing to expand outpatient services, strengthening workforce recruitment and retention efforts, and focusing on senior-centered care.

These strategies can help increase access, stabilize staffing, and better align services with our community’s needs while supporting long-term financial sustainability.