(Jan. 9, 2025) – As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: the strength of Kansas' health care system depends on the people who choose to serve their communities every day. Across the state, Kansas Hospital Association members are navigating workforce challenges while continuing to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to Kansans. That commitment continues to shape several workforce initiatives underway, all of which benefit from strong engagement across the KHA membership.
First, I encourage members to consider participating in the fourth annual Virtual Health Care Career Day, hosted by KHA on Feb. 18 in partnership with the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas State Department of Education. This event offers hospitals a unique opportunity to connect with students of all ages, from those already interested in health care to those still exploring their futures.
During this virtual event, health care professionals from across the state will share insights into a wide range of career paths, including radiology and imaging, pediatrics, laboratory services, advanced practice providers, social services, dietary services, EMT and paramedicine, and orthopedics and sports medicine. Equally important, students will learn where to pursue education and training in Kansas and how many of these pathways can be completed with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
We encourage our members to partner with local schools at this event to spark interest, build awareness and strengthen local workforce pipelines. For many students, this may be their first meaningful exposure to the breadth of careers available in health care.
In addition to growing the future workforce, accurate, reliable data on our current workforce has never been more important.Earlier this month, KHA launched our 2026 workforce surveys, including the Vacancy and Turnover Survey, the Compensation and Benefits Survey and the KCMHC Turnover Survey.
Participation in these surveys is crucial. The vacancy and turnover data, in particular, will now play a central role in measuring progress on the workforce initiatives in the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program. Robust participation across our membership ensures the data is valid, reliable and truly reflective of conditions across Kansas. This information strengthens our advocacy efforts, informs workforce strategies and helps tell the story of where progress is being made and where additional support is needed.
To make participation easier, KHA worked with our data vendor, HIDI, to launch a new electronic portal for submitting vacancy, turnover and Kansas City Metropolitan Health Care data. Additionally, hospitals participating in the Gallagher Compensation and Benefits Survey will receive the results at no cost in mid-April, timed to support salary and benefit planning.
We recognize hospital teams are balancing many competing priorities. However, the value of these efforts increases significantly as participation grows. By contributing data and participating in workforce initiatives, members support their own organizations while strengthening the collective voice of Kansas hospitals.
Thank you for the time, effort and leadership you continue to provide in addressing workforce challenges. KHA looks forward to working alongside you in the coming year as we recruit, retain and support the health care workforce that Kansas communities depend on.
--Chad Austin