Communications

(Aug. 18, 2023) – I am pleased to announce this year's winner of the Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award for 2023 is Brian Williams, president and chief executive officer of Labette Health, Parsons.

The Kansas Hospital Association established this award to recognize individuals who have made an outstanding, innovative contribution to health care delivery, health care financing or other initiatives that improve the health and clinical outcomes of their community. The Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award provides KHA members the opportunity to recognize individuals who have truly been an agent for change in their community and in the hospital industry.

Brian joined Labette Health in 2015. He has more than 20 years of experience leading physician and hospital organizations, as well as ten years of prior experience leading financial services organizations. 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 county.

Throughout his tenure at Labette Health, Brian has brought together community stakeholders and leaders to evaluate the health care needs of the community. Most recently, a strategic emphasis was placed on addressing the needs of the population with chronic diabetes. Promoting health equity by ensuring more people have access to comprehensive care is at the core of this work. With the opening of Labette Health's Endocrinology Clinic in 2022, Southeast Kansans now have access to a certified diabetes specialist, a certified diabetes educator and a nutritionist, as well as access to Labette Health's medical-based fitness and aquatics center.

Besides bringing new and healthy programs to Southeast Kansas, Brian has been a steady fiscal steward who has significantly improved the financial standing of the hospital with new service lines and affiliations. He also has led the teams at Labette Health to improve patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction and quality ratings.

One of Brian's most satisfying accomplishments involves the development and financing of a 17,000-square-foot, off-campus emergency department, observation unit and rural health clinic in Independence. This endeavor, which ensured access to local emergency room care, could be described as the precursor for the Rural Emergency Hospital model being considered by many rural communities around the country.

Brian is a General George C. Marshall Award recipient, a fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives, a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (retired).

Congratulations Brian. We look forward to officially presenting this honor during the KHA Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Wichita. I invite you all to attend and join us in honoring Brian and other health care leaders who will be recognized.
--Chad Austin