(June 27, 2025) - The Heart of Health Care Award recognizes and honors the excellence of health care workers statewide. We are excited that 29 hospitals nominated individuals for this recognition. This year’s nominees serve their hospitals and communities in a variety of ways from clinical care to IT security to ensuring the safe and smooth running of daily operations. Learn more about the accomplishments of these nominees online. We tip our hat to these individuals and their outstanding contributions. Congratulations to the following nominees:
- Kristin Baker, Ultrasound Technologist, Coffey County Hospital, Burlington
- Ashley Behymer, Physical Therapist/Rehab Services Manager, Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center
- Brenda Blankenship, Family Birth Suites Manager, Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt
- Michelle Bohannon, Director of Quality/Risk/Compliance and Interim Director of Nursing, Wilson Medical Center, Neodesha
- Stacia Brown, Manager Physician Practice Operations, Wamego Health Center, Wamego
- Jennifer Carney, Manager of Patient Access for Via Christi Outpatient Therapy Centers, Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, Wichita
- Loree Cordova, MD, Medical Director, AdventHealth Medical Group, Lawrence
- Cassie Crocker, Laboratory Manager, SCK Health, Arkansas City
- Brittney Engel, Charge Nurse, Stormont Vail Flint Hills Campus, Junction City
- Tammy Field, Director of Radiology, McPherson Center for Health, McPherson
- Rebecca Finke, Nurse Program Manager-Forensic Nursing, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Shawnee Mission
- Amanda Gaines, Perioperative Nurse Liaison, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City
- Janelle Gasper, Insurance/Collections Clerk, Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Beloit
- Dwight Hawkins, Environmental Services Manager, AdventHealth South Overland Park, Overland Park
- Susan Newell, Clinic Manager/Risk Manager, Jewell County Hospital, Mankato
- Nathan Norman, Information Systems Specialist, Greenwood County Hospital, Eureka
- Kevin Oehme, Pharmacy Manager, Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Manhattan
- Alicia Oien, Interim CNO, Clinical Informatics, Decatur Health, Oberlin
- Jamie Phipps, Outreach Clinic Director, Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, Medicine Lodge
- Jose Renteria, APRN, ER Provider, Phillips County Health Systems, Phillipsburg
- Cheryl Rickers, Patient Financial Services, Artesian Valley Health System, Meade
- Joilene Sandoval, A/R Denial Management Specialist, Newman Regional Health, Emporia
- Janie Schmidt, Hospital Director of Nursing, Greeley County Health Services, Tribune
- William Scott, Maintenance Supervisor, NMC Health, Newton
- Mike Stallbaumer, Facility Manager, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca
- Robin Stapleton, Trauma Coordinator, Surgery RN, Sabetha Community Hospital, Sabetha
- Angela Taylor, Nurse Manager, Infection Preventionist and Nurse Educator, Rice Community Health, Lyons
- Jolene Wessel, Registered Nurse, Community HealthCare System, Onaga
- Christi Zimmerman, Director of Patient Care Services, Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park
Be sure to offer your kudos to the nominees as we highlight their impact and accomplishments on our Facebook and LinkedIn channels over the summer. On Friday. Sept. 5, 2025, all nominees will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Wichita, Kansas.