The Hadley Foundation Art Collection includes over 408 works of art created by Kansas artists. The Art Collection of original work began in 1974 at the Hadley Regional Medical Center and continued with the merger of St. Anthony Hospital in 1991, when the two hospitals became Hays Medical Center. The Art Collection has been funded primarily by the Hadley Foundation but also includes the Hays Medical Center Volunteers-funded Meditation Garden and the Ross Foundation-funded mobile in the Miller Medical Pavilion lobby. Additional funds have been provided in the purchase of art work from other resources. Several works of art have been given as memorials with the approval of the Visual Arts Committee. The Art Collection is on the permanent loan to Hays Medical Center.

The Visual Arts Committee follows established guidelines to select the art. Only well established professional Kansas artists qualify for consideration. Included in the Art Collection are paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and fabrics. Currently, twenty-two Governor’s Artists Award winners are represented.

The Hadley Foundation Art Collection received the Governor’s Award for Art Patron in 1994. The Hays Arts Council recommendation noted the overall commitment of the Hadley Foundation to the support and purchase of art. The Governor’s Award acknowledges the importance of the Art Collection within Hays Medical Center and also that Hays Medical Center has become a major repository of work by Kansas artists.

National health organizations encourage and support the integration of the arts into the healing process. Indeed the Hadley Foundation Art Collection pioneered the concept of utilizing original art in a health care institution. collection recognizes the therapeutic value as well as the aesthetic enrichment of the visual arts for Hays Medical Center. Because health incorporates physical and mental well being, creating an atmosphere which enhances that spirit is an essential aspect of Hays Medical Center's approach to patient care.