(May 30, 2025) – The Kansas Hospital Association staff encourages hospitals to carve out a few minutes next week to nominate an individual for a KHA award. Nominate a health care employee or a board member who has made a significant contribution. Nominate a team that has impacted recruitment and/or retention. Nominate an individual who has provided a lifetime of service, or one who has made a visionary contribution or one who has advocated for the work we do every day. We need your nominations in our online awards portal by June 1.
Heart of Health Care Award – The award recognizes and honors the excellence of health care workers statewide. Previously, this award was called the Health Care Worker of the Year Award. All nominated employees (one employee from every hospital) will be recognized by KHA for making a significant contribution to the betterment of their hospital.
Trustee of the Year Award – The award recognizes and honors a hospital board member from each facility who is a leader, gives back to the community and routinely goes beyond the call of duty. KHA members are encouraged to recognize a trustee who has served with distinction and made significant contributions to the betterment of their hospital and community.
Workforce Strategies Award – The award recognizes a team of employees, providers or volunteers who worked collaboratively to make a significant contribution to the well-being, retention, or recruitment of health care workers at their facility(s) or in Kansas.
Charles S. Billings Award – The award recognizes a hospital leader for his or her lifetime of service and continuing contribution to the health care of Kansas. This is the top honor given by KHA. This award was established in 1971 to honor KHA’s first president, Charles. S. Billings' dedication and years of service to Kansans.
Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award – The award recognizes hospital-related individuals who have made outstanding, innovative contributions to health care delivery, health care financing or initiatives that improve the health and clinical outcomes of their community. This award was established in 2007 to honor long-time KHA president and CEO Donald A. Wilson's dedication and years of service to Kansans.
Distinguished Health Care Advocate Award – The award honors individuals, organizations or groups that have demonstrated their commitment to health care through participation in the public domain. This award gives members of KHA the opportunity to recognize those who work on our behalf from outside our ranks.
Nominations are due June 1 in our online awards portal. Learn more about KHA awards online.
--Cindy Samuelson