Hutchinson native Jessica Flax has been named Director for the Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation (HRMF), a multi-million-dollar fund established soon after the opening of the hospital in 1975.

With the arrival of Flax, the position will be transformed from a part-time position to one with full-time responsibilities. In her role, Flax will lead fundraising initiatives based on the hospital’s short- and long-range strategic goals. Flax, a 2005 graduate of Buhler High School, attended Fort Hays State University on a scholarship to play volleyball, and graduated with a degree in Business Management. For the past 13 years, she has been employed with business development and marketing firms, as well as the financial industry.

Funds within the foundation are the result of donations made to Hutchinson Regional of farmland, oil, gas leases, and cash contributions. During the past 35 years, the HRMF has made grants to assist in construction of the Chalmers Cancer Center, and in 2014, donated $6 million for an update to the hospital’s Emergency Department and $4 million for a new state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit.

Flax said she is pleased to join the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System family. “It is an honor to be leading this initiative for an organization that is a critical cornerstone to this community, and working with remarkable leadership so dedicated to improving the quality of life for both the patients and employees,” Flax said.

Ken Johnson, President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said there is a need to grow the foundation. “As inflation drives up the costs associated with medical equipment and capital improvements, the importance of the foundation grows as well,” Johnson said. “Jessica will bring new energy and enthusiasm to take the Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation to a new level of excellence.”