Great Plains Health Completes Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
Great Plains Health is pleased to announce that it has issued its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), a report following a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the community’s health care use, practices and needs. The report includes a detailed implementation plan for 2026-2028.
The CHNA report includes health-related information from a wide range of local and regional sources and identifies the greatest health needs in our community.
“We studied our hospital’s service area, which spans more than 67,000 square miles across Greater Nebraska,” said Megan McGown, chief development officer, Great Plains Health.
McGown serves on the hospital leadership team to complete the study, alongside consulting partner, Community Hospital Consulting (CHC Consulting) of Plano, Texas.
“The analyses include a careful review of the most current health data available, local demographics and input from several representatives of our community,” added McGown. “The CHNA process is very thorough, and culminates in a blueprint CHNA report and implementation plan intended to address our area’s most significant needs over the next three years.”
Great Plains Health has identified the most significant areas of focus over the coming months and years:
Recruit and retain quality health care professionals
Improve access to medical and dental Care
Advance community health through prevention, education and services that reduce chronic disease, preventable conditions and early mortality
Increase access to safe and affordable housing
Increase access to mental and behavioral health care
As part of the Affordable Care Act, tax-exempt hospitals are required to complete a CHNA once every three years.
"Understanding and addressing community health needs is fundamental to our mission," said Ivan Mitchell, CEO. "This comprehensive analysis and our partnerships across the healthcare community will help us improve services, expand access, and create lasting positive health outcomes for everyone we serve."
Along with Great Plains Health leadership, CHC Consulting’s experienced Planning Team led the CHNA process and produced the final report. CHC Consulting has conducted more than 100 CHNA reports for hospitals and other health care organizations using proven processes that line up with IRS regulations.
Benefits derived from performing a CHNA include:
Improved relationships and communications with local civic organizations and state and local public health organizations
Accurate performance metrics and benchmarks for quantifying future progress • Increased understanding of local health and wellness needs
Great Plains Health invites all community members to provide feedback on its CHNA and Implementation Plan report. To view or download the full CHNA report, please visit our website here: https://www.gphealth.org/about-us/community-impact/. Information on how to provide feedback is included at the end of the report, as well as at the site of the report download.