Hutchinson Regional Medical Center will begin using its new name for most purposes on January 1, 2012.
The system will be noted as Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, the Auxiliary as Hutchinson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, the foundation as Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation, and all affiliates will carry the tagline “A member of the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare Family.”
“Feedback on our name change has been very positive, and we hope support will continue with the unveiling of our new logo and blue color scheme,” said Bruce Buchanan, board chair.
Though the new look has been determined, the community will not see immediate changes beginning January 1st.
“Staff are looking forward to saying Hutchinson Regional Medical Center when they answer the phone that first week in January, but the more obvious physical changes will gradually occur throughout the first quarter of the year,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO. “Signage is a large piece of an organization’s identity. As a cost savings measure, we’re opting not to temporarily cover our signs with our new name and wait instead for each existing sign to be refurbished. By mid-February, the main exterior signage should be installed.”
When the hospital changed its name to Promise in 2008, all materials with the Hutchinson Hospital brand were discarded when the new name was announced.
“We want everyone to know the Promise brand is being retired, but community members may still see Promise Regional stationery, signage, linens, and other branded items as we phase things out during the first months of the year and replace with our new identity,” said Miller.
Most obvious in the new logo is the letter H in the center representing pride for Hutchinson and the hospital. The symbol is formed from a series of crosses that represent medicine and healthcare. The lighter and darker strokes within the logo cross each other to represent the transparency of the institution, while the technical look emphasizes the system’s commitment to leading edge technology in medicine, facilities, and equipment.
“We believe these elements reflect who we are: a strong, forward thinking regional healthcare system with a heritage proudly rooted in Hutchinson,” said Buchanan.
Area sign vendors have been solicited to bid on replacing the interior and exterior signs within the system. Bids will be sought by at least three vendors for each major component of the name change.
The hospital board voted in September to change the name and work has since been underway to make the necessary legal changes and determine the look for the organization. During the November meeting, board members selected a design from Gardner Design in Wichita, Kansas, as the official logo.