KHA
TOPEKA — The Kansas Hospital Association Leadership Institute graduated its 22nd class of 30 students on Sept. 5 at the KHA annual Convention and Trade Show in Overland Park, Kansas. Students were nominated by their hospital's CEO to be part of this select group. They represent the future leaders of Kansas hospitals.
Helping to build future health care leaders is important to the Kansas Hospital Association. “We are committed to strengthening and promoting the leadership capacity of hospital employees in Kansas,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.
The KHA Leadership Institute was established to help hospitals provide professional development opportunities that accentuate the personal skills and abilities needed to facilitate positive change and innovation in Kansas hospitals.
The 2024 Leadership Institute class was diverse. They represented a wide geographic distribution of hospitals from St. Francis to Satanta and Parsons to Lawrence – there was representation from all parts of the state.
Students had been working in health care for as little as a year to more than 20 years. Several students have been in management positions while others were new managers. Some students also supervise other staff, from a few to more than 50 employees.
It is important to note that the students nominated to participate in this program were not selected because they needed to learn "management skills." They were nominated because their CEO recognized their potential to be future leaders and wanted to help cultivate that development. Each one of these students made a personal and professional commitment to expand their skills by attending all six courses of the Leadership Institute.
The curriculum was structured to enhance each student's leadership abilities.
Course #1 focused on explaining the difference between leadership and management, identifying organizational values and creating a positive organizational climate. Course #2 focused on enhancing communication skills and grassroots advocacy. Course #3 focused on team building - including how to lead a team and how to be part of a team and Course # 4 examined conflict management. Courses #5 was at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show. Students learned about the challenges facing health care.
KHA Leadership Institute Class of 2024
Wade Babcock, The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend Campus, Great Bend
Brooke Bacon, LMH Health, Lawrence
Cindy Bass, Labette Health, Parsons
Tori Bowers, Memorial Health System, Abilene
Tanya Brabender, Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc., Manhattan
Niki Buesing, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca
Teresa Ellis, Hospital District #1 of Rice County, Lyons
Carol Fickes, McPherson Hospital, Inc., McPherson
Brian Forinash, HaysMed, Hays
Gerald Fulton, Coffey County Hospital, Burlington
Cassandra Gilbert, NMC Health, Newton
Stacey Hardy, Osborne County Memorial Hospital, Osborne
Veronica Heredia, Satanta District Hospital, Clinics & LTCU, Satanta
Danelle Holzwarth, Wilson Medical Center, Neodesha
Jason Johnson, Cheyenne County Hospital, Saint Francis
Michelle Johnson, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, Greensburg
Kirstin Keller, Logan County Health Services, Oakley
Roy Kirk, Wichita County Health Center, Leoti
Ashley Lambert, Citizens Health, Colby
Marla McElderry, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina
Jodie Miller, Lindsborg Community Hospital, Lindsborg
Mellissa Mixon, Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge
Sarah Mohr, Norton County Hospital, Norton
Lindsey Osterhaus, Decatur Health, Oberlin
Tonya Powell, Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt
Cody Ray, Greenwood County Hospital, Eureka
Julie Robben, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned
Kim Smith, Fredonia Regional Hospital, Fredonia
Michael Thomas, Clara Barton Medical Center, Hoisington
Yadira Torres, Minneola Healthcare, Minneola
Jordan Trujillo, Greeley County Health Services, Tribune
Lee Wolf, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina
The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 237 member facilities, of which 121 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is: “Optimal Health for Kansans.”