KIMBALL -- Nearly two years in the making the Kimball community celebrated the opening of its new hospital February 26.

The celebration brought together residents, hospital staff and officials including Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. Gov. Pillen commended the community for the new hospital, noting that health services are best in a person's home town.

"My words are just really simple: congratulations. This is a big, big deal for rural Nebraska, for Kimball, for your community.," Pillen said.

He quoted a saying that "all healthcare is local," that everyone wants to be taken care of where we live. 

Kimball County Commissioner Carl Stander said the new facility is a  vast improvement over the  previous hospital of more than 50 years.

"We moved from a 20,000 square foot one hallway to a 60,000 square foot four-hallway hospital. It's fantastic. It's really fantastic. I also believe, and I said this 18 months ago: it is the responsibility of an elected official to maintain and improve the quality of life for its citizens," Stander said.

Kimball Health Services CEO Cassie Gasseling thanked the community for attending the ribbon cutting.

"This is a very exciting time for Kimball Health Services. We're glad that you guys took the time out of your busy schedules to help us celebrate this day," Gasseling said.

Kimball Mayor John Morrison said today is a notable day.

"This is a special day for Kimball. This new hospital is a major improvement for Kimball. Without this hospital, Kimball would have probably eventually lost a hospital, and it would have been an impediment to the growth of Kimball. There have been many people who have worked on this for a very long time to make this facility a reality," Mayor Morrison said.

Tours were given of much of the facility. Former CEO Ken Hunter talked about the numerous physicians and specialists working for or associated with Kimball Health Services.

Kimball Health Services' Kerry Ferguson joined Hunter Arterburn on The Big Boy Tuesday morning to discuss the grand opening celebration of Kimball's new hospital. Listen to their conversation by pushing play in the video above.