The pre-, post-operative care area of Ark City’s new hospital will be named for Dr. Gary S. Benton, a Cowley County native who died this summer.
A gift of $25,000 was made to the hospital by Benton’s parents, Charlie and Mary Benton, and a brother, Greg Benton, all of whom live in Ark City. Benton was found dead in his Hays home in July.
"We are pleased and honored that the family would choose to remember their wonderful son and brother in this manner," Steve Perkins, CEO of South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center, said. "Dr. Benton was an outstanding surgeon and wonderful human being and having this important patient care area named for him is ideal."
Most recently, Dr. Benton was chair and medical director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, DeBakey Heart Institute of Kansas in Hays.
Prior to his move to Hays in 2005, he was a longtime surgeon with Wichita Surgical Specialists.
Born and raised in Arkansas City, Dr. Benton attended local schools then received his bachelor’s degree from Washburn University in Topeka.
Over the years, Dr. Benton remained close to family, friends and physician colleagues in Arkansas City. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing and supported many outdoor related organizations.
This is the second major donation received by SCKMC for the Building a Future of Excellence campaign within the past month.
