NEWTON, Kan., (April 15, 2026) – NMC Health hosted its annual donor appreciation event on Friday, April 10. The event showcased the future labor and delivery simulation (SIM) training center and recognized those whose generosity fuels the hospital’s non-profit mission.
The evening served as a heartfelt “thank you” to area businesses, families, and foundations who help sustain NMC Health and its mission to improve health. The event looked back at over 100 years of history and thirty years of growth at NMC Health’s current location. This included recently added services like inpatient dialysis, inpatient pediatric hospitalist care, and a new cardiology clinic. Guests got the chance to experience state-of-the-art simulation manikins for use in the upcoming training center.
Labor and Delivery SIM Training Center
Thanks to strong support from donors and grant partners, the Maternal-Child SIM Training Center is in development, scheduled to open in November. The lab will use SIM technology to provide hands-on learning for clinical staff, healthcare students, and regional providers. Training will focus on a range of maternal and newborn scenarios. This helps care teams strengthen skills, improve coordination, and deliver safe, high-quality care.
“As a not-for-profit and independently governed hospital, your philanthropic support has allowed us to continue to provide our community with healthcare innovations enabling high-quality and high-touch care close to home,” said Val Gleason, president and CEO at NMC Health. “Tonight, we aren’t just looking back at our history; we are looking at the future of health needs. We are growing with you to provide healthier futures for our community.”
2026 Honorees
The highlight of the evening was recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in their support of local healthcare, including:
Business Partners – The Citizens State Bank, Conrade Insurance Group, Hinkle Law, Intrust Bank, Pankratz & Hodge, Commerce Bank, Icon Structures, Full Vision, GAF, Eby Construction, HFG Architecture, Peoples Bank and Trust, Union State Bank
Corporate Champion of the Year – Conrade Insurance Group
Foundation Champion of the Year – Asbury Park Foundation
Philanthropists of the Year – Harold and Evelyn Gregg
Philanthropist of the Year – Karen Monroe
Lifetime Service Award – Tom Adrian
Lifetime Service
Tom Adrian received the inaugural Lifetime Service Award, honoring his decades of steadfast dedication, leadership, and advocacy for NMC Health. Adrian was the first Board chair when Axtell Christian Hospital and Bethel Deaconess Hospital merged in 1987. He was not only instrumental in the merger, but he has also been vital in the hospital’s growth and its ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the Newton community.
