WMMC's 14th Annual Ladies' Night Out celebrates survivors and promotes early detection. Warrensburg, MO (October 26, 2026) - Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) welcomed the community to its 14th Annual Ladies' Night Out on Wednesday, October 14, at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center. The annual event brought together women from across the community to celebrate breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about breast health and encourage regular mammograms. For 14 years, Ladies' Night Out has connected women with breast health resources while providing opportunities for education, encouragement and community support. Since the event began, thousands of women have scheduled mammograms as a result of Ladies' Night Out, helping increase the number of mammograms performed at WMMC to more than double what it was previously. This year's event welcomed 739 attendees, with 809 tickets sold and 71 mammograms scheduled during the event. These results demonstrate the continued impact of bringing the community together to encourage early detection and help women take an active role in their health. "Fourteen years ago, Ladies' Night Out began with a simple mission: encourage early detection, provide education and bring our community together," said Tara Carlyle, WMMC Strategy & Development Executive and creator of Ladies' Night Out. "Today, we've seen thousands of women take steps toward better breast health because of this event. That impact is something our entire community can be proud of. Every woman deserves the opportunity to prioritize her health, and we want to make sure she knows WMMC is here to support her." A highlight of the evening was featured speaker Meryl Lin McKean, a breast cancer survivor, former FOX 4 Health Reporter, longtime WMMC volunteer and advocate for women's health. Known to many attendees as a longtime emcee of Ladies' Night Out, McKean returned to the stage this year to share her personal experience with breast cancer. McKean was diagnosed more than 22 years ago after a routine mammogram detected an abnormality hidden within dense breast tissue. Now approximately 20 years cancer-free, she continues to encourage women to stay current with their mammograms and understand the importance of early detection. Her story served as a powerful reminder that regular screening matters, even when there are no noticeable symptoms. The evening also featured remarks from Carlyle and Darinda Dick, WMMC President/CEO, along with special recognition of breast cancer survivors in attendance. Survivors were invited to stand and be celebrated by the crowd, honoring their journeys and recognizing the community's support surrounding them. "Ladies' Night Out is a great example of what can happen when a community comes together for an important cause," said Dick. "As someone who is currently going through my own cancer journey, I know firsthand how much a diagnosis can impact you and your family. While my cancer is not breast cancer, I understand how important it is to have support, access to care and people in your corner. This event reminds women to prioritize their health, highlights the importance of early detection and brings our community together to support one another. I'm thankful for everyone who makes this event possible and for the difference it continues to make in our community." Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed vendor booths, activities, special offers and opportunities to win prizes. The event featured general raffles, exclusive raffles for breast cancer survivors, vendor-hosted giveaways and pink-themed celebrations. Ladies' Night Out also encouraged attendees to schedule their mammograms through a $2,000 cash prize drawing. Individuals who scheduled a mammogram at WMMC between August 1 and October 14, 2026, and attended the event were eligible to win one of four prizes: $1,000, $500 or one of two $250 prizes. Two handmade quilts were raffled separately, with all proceeds benefiting the WMMC Foundation Cancer Care Fund. One quilt was handmade by Brenda and Kenneth Watson. Brenda is a WMMC volunteer and Auxiliary member. The second quilt was created and donated by Mary Bahner, a breast cancer survivor and mother of Maria Embry, who works in WMMC Human Resources. Both quilts were displayed at the event, and winners were drawn that evening. The event was made possible through the generosity of sponsors, volunteers, vendors, WMMC employees and community partners. WMMC extends special thanks to Gold Sponsors F&C Bank and Gallagher, as well as all additional sponsors who helped make the event possible. Breast cancer affects approximately one in eight women during their lifetime. WMMC encourages women to prioritize their breast health and stay current with recommended screenings. A mammogram at WMMC does not require a provider order. To schedule an appointment, call WMMC's Centralized Scheduling Department at (660) 262-7370. About Western Missouri Medical Center Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully accredited, county-owned healthcare system based in Warrensburg, Missouri, proudly serving Johnson County and surrounding communities. As an independent, not-for-profit medical center, WMMC is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care. WMMC provides a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services, including emergency and time-critical care, obstetrics, surgical services, primary and specialty care, rehabilitation, and diagnostic imaging. With a strong focus on patient experience, clinical excellence, and community health, WMMC continues to invest in advanced technology, dedicated providers, and innovative services to meet the evolving needs of the region. Learn more at wmmc.com and follow Western Missouri Medical Center on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Western Missouri Medical Center to celebrate new breast imaging technology october 29. Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) will celebrate the completion of its Empower Through Early Detection project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in partnership with the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony will take place in WMMC's Diagnostic Imaging Department, accessible through the WMMC Outpatient Entrance. The $880,000 project represents a significant investment in the future of women's health care in the region. WMMC invested $25,000 in facility upgrades, while the WMMC Foundation raised $855,000 through generous contributions from donors, businesses and community partners to fund advanced breast imaging technology. The completed project expands WMMC's breast imaging capabilities with advanced technology, including the Fujifilm ASPIRE Cristalle 3D Mammography System, Samsung RS85 Prestige Ultrasound System and a second Fujifilm 3D Mammography System with stereotactic biopsy capabilities. Together, these technologies support earlier detection, more accurate diagnoses, improved patient comfort and expanded access to breast cancer diagnostic services for patients throughout the region. The project was made possible through the generosity and dedication of community members, donors, volunteers, businesses and advocates who recognize the importance of early detection and access to quality women's health care. Get its free mobile app WMMC invites Chamber members, community partners and the public to join the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and WMMC at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the project's completion and recognize the community support that helped bring this vision to life. The Empower Through Early Detection project reflects WMMC's continued commitment to providing advanced breast imaging services and improving access to women's health care close to home.

Western Missouri Medical Center and Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center announce OB care partnership. Western Missouri Medical Center and Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center have announced a new partnership ensuring continued obstetric services for expectant mothers around Marshall after local inpatient labor services end this fall. The plan enables local prenatal appointments with Dr. James Kerns before transferring patients near term for deliveries at Warrensburg. 2 days ago Friday, Oct 16 By Show-Me State Times Expectant mothers in the Marshall area will continue to have access to obstetric care through a new partnership between Western Missouri Medical Center and Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center, announced on Oct. 16. The two organizations are creating a coordinated care plan that allows patients to receive prenatal care in Marshall, transition to Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg for delivery, and return to Marshall for women's and pediatric care. As part of this partnership, James Kerns, MD, will join the Obstetrics and Gynecology team at Western Missouri Medical Center. Dr. Kerns has provided OB/GYN care in Marshall since 2020 through Fitzgibbon Hospital and Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center and will continue caring for his established patients. "Access to maternity care is a growing concern for rural communities, and families deserve a clear, supported path to care," said Darinda J. Dick, President/CEO of Western Missouri Medical Center. "By working together, we can create a coordinated path for families to continue prenatal care in Marshall and receive delivery care at WMMC. That kind of regional partnership is essential to sustaining maternal care in rural communities." The announcement follows the discontinuation of inpatient labor and delivery services at Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center effective Sept. 30. Patients currently receiving prenatal services from Dr. Kerns can continue seeing him in Marshall until approximately 34 weeks of pregnancy before transitioning their remaining pregnancy and delivery care to Warrensburg. After delivery, patients will return to Marshall for postpartum and pediatric follow-up. "We are pleased to partner with WMMC to continue supporting the obstetric needs of families in our community," said Abdullah Arshad, MD, President of Acute/Post-Acute Care for Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center. "This partnership allows us to work together to provide continuity for patients during this transition. Patients can continue seeing Dr. Kerns through most of their pregnancy in Marshall before transitioning to WMMC for delivery." Missouri Valley Regional Medical Center's clinic will remain open, providing gynecological and reproductive health services as well as prenatal and postpartum support locally while deliveries take place at Western Missouri Medical Center.