Medica Insurance Company gifts $100,000 to expand access to orthopedic care

For Immediate Release

North Platte, Neb.– The Great Plains Health Care Foundation is pleased to announce a $100,000 gift from Medica Insurance Company to support expanded access to orthopedic care in Greater Nebraska. This investment directly advances the Great Plains Health Orthopedics expansion project, ensuring patients receive high-quality specialty care close to home without the burden of traveling long distances for treatment.

Amid continued economic growth and population increases in the North Platte region, Medica Insurance Company recognizes the importance of accessible specialty services and remains committed to advancing health equity through community-based partnerships that strengthen care access in rural and growing areas. Recent local developments, including Sustainable Beef, Amazon, and the Nebraska International Port of the Plains, have further increased the need for expanded healthcare services to support a growing workforce and community.

"Community growth brings opportunity and excitement, along with a responsibility to ensure healthcare access remains strong. This incredible gift allows us to expand critical orthopaedic services locally and remove barriers that can prevent patients from getting the care they need," said Laura Troshynski, board chair of the Great Plains Health Care Foundation.

Medica Insurance Company's support of the expansion project ensures access to modern technology and state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance healing, restore mobility, and support movement for patients of all ages and backgrounds. Key features include:

1. An increase from 14 to 32 exam rooms, allowing more patients to be seen quickly and improving overall clinic flow.

2. A C-arm imaging room, enabling more precise joint injections and procedures conveniently on site.

3. A second X-ray room, increasing imaging capacity and reducing wait times for diagnostic services.

4. A specialized hand care area, supporting focused evaluation and treatment for complex hand and wrist conditions.

5. A dedicated athletic trainer area, enhancing care for student-athletes and active individuals recovering from sports-related injuries.

6. A private scheduling room, offering a confidential and streamlined experience for patients coordinating appointments and follow-up care.

7. A total of 29,300 square feet, accommodating expanded services, improved workflows, and future growth.

8. Convenient access across the parking lot to Great Plains Homecare Equipment, providing easy connection to bracing, mobility aids, and supportive devices.

The project also accommodates a growing physician team, including new hand surgeon Anthony R. Martín, MD, who speaks English and Spanish. Recruitment is underway for more advanced practice providers and orthopedic specialists to join Dr. Martín and the robust team at Great Plains Health Orthopaedics:

1. Evan Correll, MD, general orthopaedic surgeon

2. J.D. Hannah, MD, joint specialist and general orthopaedic surgeon

3. Nathan A. Jacobson, MD, sports medicine and general orthopaedic surgeon

4. Michael S. Joyner, MD, hand surgeon

5. Aaron Morgenstein, MD, general orthopaedic surgeon

6. Mandip Singh, MD, total joint specialist, general orthopaedics and fracture care

"Our orthopaedic team is excited about the impact this project will have for our community," said J.D. Hannah, MD, joint specialist, general orthopaedic surgeon, and medical director of Great Plains Health Orthopaedics. "We see an average of 100 patients a day in the clinic, and sometimes more than 140 on our busiest days. This expanded space allows us to care for them in a more comfortable and efficient way."

Dr. Hannah highlighted the convenience of an expanded facility near resources like the Great Plains Health Sports & Therapy Center and Great Plains Homecare Equipment. More importantly, he stresses the value of timely care close to home.

"Being able to see patients quickly when they need us, whether that is a student-athlete with an injury or someone needing total joint care, makes a real difference. It is all part of delivering the outstanding patient experience our community expects," said Dr. Hannah.

In addition to expanding orthopaedic services, Medica Insurance Company is partnering with the non-profit organization Hope Esperanza through a $10,000 gift to strengthen translation and interpretation resources for patients who do not speak English as a first language. By reducing language barriers in healthcare settings, this partnership improves communication, builds patient trust, enhances safety, and supports better outcomes throughout the entire care journey.

"When interpretation is present, everything changes," said TinaMaria Fernandez, founder and executive director of Hope Esperanza. "Patients are no longer guessing or nodding along; they are asking questions, understanding their options, and engaging as true partners in their care."

Fernandez said interpretation fundamentally changes the patient's experience by transforming confusion into understanding and trust. "Medica's investment strengthens a community-based model that empowers non-native English speakers with the confidence, understanding, and support they need and deserve as they navigate their health and well-being," said Fernandez.

Medica Insurance Company's gifts help close healthcare gaps for underserved populations while ensuring specialty care grows alongside community needs.

"This investment reinforces our shared commitment to making sure no patient has to leave home or go without when orthopaedic needs arise," said Patrick Bourne, Nebraska Market President for Medica. "We value our relationship with Great Plains Health and the work we do together that puts the people we serve at the center of our focus."

Danelle Franzen, FACHE, MBA, MLS (ASCP), chief operating officer of Great Plains Health, noted that the project reflects a shared community commitment to growth by supporting economic development, attracting new talent to the region, and sustaining high-quality services that meet and exceed the needs of residents. The expansion was first identified in the 2019 master plan, which was carefully developed by local leadership and industry experts to ensure that Great Plains Health continues to serve the community effectively as it grows.

"Our providers will no longer be bound by walls that limit how many patients we can see or the type of care we can deliver. This larger and more advanced facility gives our teams the space and technology they need to care for a population experiencing both repetitive and new injuries. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to serve every member of our community," said Franzen.

The Great Plains Health expansion project will revitalize the current facility at 215 McNeel Lane, North Platte, and will be completed in early 2028.

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About Great Plains Health

Based in North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Health is a fully accredited, 116-bed acute-care regional medical center serving western and central Nebraska, northern Kansas and southern South Dakota. With 90 physicians representing nearly 30 medical specialties, the Great Plains Health system offers advanced health care, including heart and vascular, cancer, and orthopedic surgery services. Great Plains Health is a Level III trauma center, and all of its emergency department physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in emergency medicine. The system employs approximately 1,200 employees and serves a geographic area spanning more than 67,000 square miles. The hospital is accredited by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and is home to an American College of Surgeons-accredited cancer center and Level II bariatric surgery program. For more information, visit gphealth.org.

About Medica Insurance Company

Medica (www.medica.com) is a mission-driven, member-focused non-profit health plan headquartered in Minnesota. The company serves communities in the heart of America by providing health care coverage and related services in the employer, individual, Medicaid and Medicare markets. It operates in Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Medica's mission to better your life with care in the moments that matter is a testament to member-focused commitment to high-quality, affordable health care.