Member of the Day: Parsons State Hospital

Long before it was Parsons State Hospital, it was a bold experiment: in 1903, it opened as a State Hospital for Epileptics, one of the earliest facilities of its kind in the region. More than a century later, spread across 43 buildings on 163 acres, PSH has grown into one of only two state-operated residential facilities in Kansas serving individuals with intellectual disabilities — a distinction that puts Parsons on the map in a field with national and international reach.

Today, PSH supports around 150 residents through person-centered planning, meaning care plans are built around what each individual wants their life to look like, not a one-size-fits-all model. The hospital has also embraced trauma-informed, restraint-free crisis intervention approaches, training staff in nationally recognized programs designed to keep both residents and caregivers safe without resorting to physical restraint. It's a level of specialized, compassionate care that few communities our size can claim.

As one of Parsons' largest employers and longest-standing institutions, PSH is more than a healthcare facility — it's a cornerstone of this community's identity and economy. We're proud to count them among our Chamber members.

Learn more: kdads.ks.gov/state-hospitals/parsons-state-hospital-psh