Belton Regional Medical Center — part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider — was recently the surprise recipient of a stone monument that recognizes the hospital’s healthcare workers’ heroic efforts and dedicated service to the community during the pandemic. The monument is permanently installed in the hospital’s memory garden, located outside the visitor’s entrance.
Belton Downtown Main Street, Inc. and Gary Mallory, former Belton mayor, collaborated on the project, which included separate monuments given to Belton Regional Medical Center, the Belton Police Department and the Belton Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.
“The very thoughtful gesture was a wonderful surprise from members of the Belton Downtown Main Street nonprofit organization and Gary,” says Belton Regional Medical Center CEO Todd Krass. “They wanted a special way to commemorate the extraordinary efforts of healthcare workers and first responders during the pandemic, and the resulting monuments are certainly powerful visual reminders and a heartfelt expression of their gratitude.”
The Belton Regional Medical Center monument is inscribed with the HCA Healthcare mission: “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.”
“Obviously these are words each member of our Belton Regional Medical Center family live by every day,” Krass says of the inscription, shown on the monument above hands cradling a heart. “But now those 14 words are a permanent and meaningful reminder for patients, visitors and community members of our why — the reason we show up every day, no matter the challenge, and do what we do. On behalf of the healthcare professionals at Belton Regional Medical Center who embody that mission and are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to communities we serve, I thank Belton Downtown Main Street and Gary.”
“I was mayor of the City of Belton when Belton Regional Medical Center was built in 1984,” Mallory says. “The hospital continues to expand its campus and services as the community grows, providing high-quality healthcare to residents. The pandemic showed the hospital’s employees’ unwavering dedication and compassion, even while working under stress. They are angels of mercy, and we should be thankful for them every day, not just in times of emergencies. We are truly blessed to have their expertise.”
On Monday, Nov. 7, Belton Regional Medical Center hosted a dedication ceremony of the Above All Else monument. Krass welcomed Mallory, Belton Regional Medical Center board of trustee member Dave Reimnitz and the hospital’s colleagues for the ceremony.