Communications

(June 26, 2026) – Since 1969, the Kansas Hospital Association's foundation, Healthworks, has played a key role in advancing KHA's mission and vision. While Healthworks shares KHA's vision, Optimal Health for Kansans and Kansas Hospitals, its specific mission is to foster collaboration and innovation to improve health. Healthworks strives to accomplish this in various ways. This year, Healthworks focuses on three priority areas: 1. Health Care Delivery and Redesign, 2. Workforce Supply and Capacity, and 3. Funding and Stability.

The Healthworks brand is likely familiar to you, but you may not be aware of the breadth of resources it provides to support Kansas hospitals. As part of its portfolio, Healthworks has been the lead organization supporting QHi, a multi-state, web-based benchmarking tool designed by small rural hospitals and clinics to provide executives with insight into clinical quality, finance and operations, workforce and patient satisfaction. At present, QHi is used by 205 hospitals in nine states. Other Healthworks efforts include the Kansas Health-e Broadband project and multiple projects with Kansas Rural Hospitals Optimizing Performance, known as KRHOP.

A few Healthworks projects I would like to spotlight include its role in helping Kansas hospitals build a sustainable workforce and its work on new models of care. Developing a sustainable, knowledgeable workforce pipeline remains a primary focus for Healthworks. Its work on this goal includes the Healthworks long-standing health care scholarships program, now in its 24th year, and newer initiatives, such as funding for HOSA-Future Health Professional student chapters in Kansas and the Kansas Healthcare Apprenticeship Program. These workforce initiatives are advancing career exploration and helping hospitals develop their own talent. In addition to these existing projects, Healthworks has been asked to assist with a number of workforce projects included as part of the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, including the creation of a rural nurse residency program, the expansion of clinical faculty/rotation sites and the expansion of high school programs focused on health care careers.

Another important project that Healthworks has been leading for several years, is the exploration of new health care delivery models. Years ago, initial ideas and concepts from Kansas hospitals exploring new ways to address care in rural communities gained traction and were largely incorporated into what is now the Rural Emergency Hospital model. Kansas is now home to three Rural Emergency Hospitals. Recently, Healthworks helped the four KHA members selected for a new mandatory payment model, TEAMS, with education and planning as they prepare for these new value-based payments. Healthworks also assists communities interested in conversations about ways to preserve access to care while helping rural towns thrive.

While it takes a talented and dedicated Healthworks team to carry out projects and initiatives, it also requires visionary leadership from the Healthworks Board of Directors. I want to express my appreciation for the board's leadership and commitment to Healthworks' vision and mission. The 2026 Healthworks Board is led by Dee Dee Dewell, Pioneer Health Network, Inc., Garden City (chair); Janell Goodno, Kiowa District Healthcare, Kiowa (vice chair); and current board members including Stephanie Bjornstad, Rooks County Health Center, Plainville; Sandy Dickerson, Greenwood County Hospital, Eureka; Robin Durrett, DO, Kansas Health Science University, Wichita; Claudio Ferraro, Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., Wichita; John Fitzthum, Community HealthCare System, Inc., Onaga; Aaron Herbel, Mercy Hospital, Inc., Moundridge; Eddie Hermann, HaysMed, Hays; Chad Koster, AmberMed-Sheridan County Hospital, Hoxie; Sarah Ragsdale, Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center; Chuck Welch, Scott County Hospital, Scott City; and Brian Williams, Labette Health, Parsons. Thank you again for your dedication to serving Healthworks..

For more information about Healthworks and its projects,visit www.healthworkskha.org.
--Chad Austin