FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2025
GANADO, Ariz. – Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 1575, the SMH Dialysis Center Bill, has been approved by the Arizona State Senate and is now advancing to the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Senator Theresa Hatathlie, will appropriate $3 million in funding for the completion of a dialysis center at SMH, providing care for Ganado and neighboring communities.
“Passage of this bill is an important step towards better health outcomes for our community,” said Melinda White CEO of Sage Memorial Hospital. “We are grateful for the support of Senator Hatathlie and the State Senate in recognizing the importance of this bill.”
“This project is essential for improving rural healthcare and addressing diabetes in underserved Native American communities,” White added. “The dialysis center would reduce long travel distances for care, improve access to treatment, and directly benefit the Navajo people.”
Last Fall, SMH fully funded and completed a $177 million hospital which was designed to include a dialysis center. However, requirements from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traffic Impact Study required the hospital to redirect funds to cover two new traffic light intersections, or risk delaying the opening of the hospital. This diverted funding has delayed construction on the much-needed dialysis center.
The planned dialysis center currently sits as an unfinished shell, with the necessary infrastructure in place, making it ready for build-out. Once completed, it will offer much needed outpatient dialysis treatments closer to home, easing travel burdens for patients and their families.
SMH encourages individuals to support the SMH Dialysis Center Bill by contacting their State House Representative and urging them to vote in favor of the bill.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Christian Bigwater
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
christian.bigwater@sagememorial.com
Office – (928) 755-4532
Cell – (928) 221-4205
