History of NMC Health

NMC Health has evolved over the last three decades from a tradition of excellence.

Newton Healthcare Corporate was founded in 1987 for the merging of two Newton hospitals. The newly merged Newton Medical Center opened its doors on Jan. 1, 1988.

Upon opening, Newton Medical Center (now NMC Health) brought with it a rich legacy of compassion and commitment to healing.

Two Hospitals Merge

During the spring of 1887, Dr. John T. and Lucena Axtell founded Newton’s first hospital, Axtell Hospital. For more than 40 years, the Axtells served the community until they passed on the hospital to the Kansas Christian Missionary Society. At that time, the name was changed to Axtell Christian Hospital, a Christian Church/Disciples of Christ organization.

In 1908, Reverend David Goerz and Sister Frieda Kaufman founded Bethel Deaconess Hospital as a mission of the Mennonite Church. Mennonite deaconesses remained involved with the hospital’s operations until 1983.

A Center for Health Fosters Growth

On August 23, 1996, Newton’s vision of bringing health care together in one place started coming true as the brand-new Newton Medical Center began serving patients at 600 Medical Center Drive. Over the next ten years, a Medical Plaza was added to the campus. It housed multiple private clinics with services ranging from family medicine and women’s health to renal care and cancer care. In addition, the Newton Medical Center was expanded to add inpatient rehab and senior mental health services.

By 2005, Newton Healthcare Corporation began expanding its services off-campus as well as on campus. Newton Surgery Center was acquired and moved to the Medical Center campus. The new three-story building would be home to NMC Health’s Orthopedics & Sports Specialists, Neurology Specialists, Urology Specialists, Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Center, and other of non-clinical offices. A primary care practice was added in Park City, KS, followed by clinics in Valley Center, Hesston, and on North Amidon in Wichita.

A two-story Medical Park was also built on the Medical Center campus. It now houses NMC Health’s Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, Home Care, and Private Duty services as well as other private clinics. In 2016 NMC Health’s Immediate Care clinic opened new downtown Newton at 118 East 12^th Street.

After it’s many years of growth, Newton Healthcare Corporation changed its public name on January 1, 2021 to NMC Health. This new name better shows that the Newton Medical Center has become much more than a hospital. It is an award-winning health care system with its original Medical Center as well as 10 family medicine and specialty clinics serving Harvey, Sedgwick and other area counties.

Attitude Of Innovation

NMC Health has an attitude of innovation and is dedicated to serving on the frontlines with the best in medical technology. With state-of-the-art equipment such as the MAKO Robotic Arm for total hip replacements and the da Vinci Surgical System, NMC Health is just the fifth hospital in the Kansas to offer this type of robotic technology.

We were also the first place in the nation to offer an Automated Blood Bank Analyzer which removes the risk of more than 170 potential human errors.

Our Mission: To excel in providing healthcare by understanding and responding to the individual needs of those we serve.

Our Vision: To improve health.

Our Values: Respect. Excellence. Service. Trust. Transparency.

NMC Health is your home for healthcare. 

Your health is our focus.

Committed To Community & Quality

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion