(Sept. 15, 2023) – The Kansas Hospital Association's Annual Convention and Trade Show is one of the most anticipated events of the year for health care leaders in Kansas. Last week's event brought together health care leaders from each corner of the state to Ignite Joy! I heard many positive comments about the KHA convention speakers and the trade show. I would like to reiterate my appreciation to the KHA Convention Planning Committee for their guidance, as well as KHA's Jennifer Findley for her outstanding leadership in ensuring the KHA Convention was a success. Thank you to all who attended, including our trade show exhibitors and sponsors.
One of the most rewarding and inspiring parts of the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show is the KHA Awards Banquet, where we recognize so many individuals who are making a positive difference in our state. This year's Charles S. Billings Award recipient was Allen Van Driel, CEO, of Smith County Memorial Hospital, in Smith Center. If you were not able to attend the awards luncheon, I encourage you to watch this video recognizing his distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the health care of Kansans. We also recognized Brian Williams, president and CEO of Labette Health in Parsons with the Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award. Brian has been a change agent in his leadership position and has inspired his team to achieve numerous accomplishments within Labette County, not to mention his vision for health care in the region, state and country.
The convention also was the perfect opportunity to express our appreciation to Ed Klumpp as the KHA Distinguished Health Care Advocate. Ed is the legislative liaison for several law enforcement associations and worked tirelessly, alongside the health care industry, to pass state legislation to protect frontline health care workers.
Last year, KHA established the KHA Workforce Strategies Award. The award recognizes a team of employees, providers and volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the well-being, retention or recruitment of health care workers at their facility. This year's recipient is NMC Health's Food and Nutritional Services Leadership Team from Newton. I am pleased to share with you a short video highlighting their teamwork on workforce retention and recruitment.
Throughout the past several months, we have been highlighting individuals who were nominated for the Health Care Workers of the Year. These candidates demonstrated excellence in health care and are making a difference every day. To be nominated is an honor. Congratulations to our three 2023 Health Care Worker of the Year Award recipients: Joni Deters, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca; Kristi Roush, Holton Community Hospital, Holton; and Whitney Winder, Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center.
We also had the privilege to recognize several hospital trustees for their dedication to Kansas hospitals and health care in Kansas. These individuals regularly go beyond the call of duty to serve their local hospital and community, thank you to Anthony Geiger, Memorial Health System, Abilene; Nancy George, Girard Medical Center, Girard; David Polifka, Gove County Medical Center, Quinter; and Sister Agnes Weber, Ascension Via Christi Health, Wichita. David Polifka was named the 2023 Trustee of the Year Award recipient, and a donation was made to his hospital in his honor.
In addition to the above awards, we recognized our Kansas Leadership Institute graduates, KHA members who are leaders in our grassroots advocacy and political action efforts, and many other KHA members serving on boards and in our allied organizations. On behalf of the KHA Board and staff, I would like to thank everyone who attended and made this year's event a tremendous success!
--Chad Austin