(June 28, 2024) – The Kansas Hospital Association's Heart of Health Care Worker Award highlights hospital employees who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of their hospital. These individuals are nominated for this award because they routinely go above and beyond the call of duty.
Doug Rich is interwoven in everything that happens at the AdventHealth Ottawa campus. As the chief operating officer, Rich is a true leader in heart and spirit. He's never too busy to stop what he's doing to roll up his sleeves and help someone, whether carrying a heavy load or escorting a patient or visitor where they need to go.
During some setbacks impacting the hospital and Ottawa community, Rich seized the opportunity to significantly improve employee engagement. He had productive conversations with staff members who provided feedback on what was working and what needed to change. He then incorporated the feedback into plans for short- and long-term improvements.
Rich is an active member and advisor of both the Ransom Memorial Hospital and AdventHealth Ottawa Boards of Trustees and frequently represents the hospital in government relations, most recently advocating for Kansas rural health initiatives during Advocacy Day at the state capitol in Topeka. He has also hosted tours of the Ottawa hospital campus to members of Congress, sharing the importance of Medicare programs to the Ottawa community, such as the Low-Volume Adjustment program and telehealth.
Rich has helped increase services, including leading construction efforts around the new AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park, which brought additional outpatient services, including a new and expanded behavioral health service line, to the rural Franklin County population. In 2017, then named Ransom Memorial Hospital, Rich was the project lead on expanding the emergency department, opening doors to a modern facility for the community.
Rich, and other Heart of Health Care Worker Award nominees, will be recognized during the KHA Awards Luncheon at the 2024 KHA Annual Convention on Sept. 5, 2024, at Sheraton Overland Park/Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park.
--Shelby Stacy