Communications

(June 26, 2026) – Since 1969, the Kansas Hospital Association's foundation Healthworks has played an important role in supporting the mission and vision of the Kansas Hospital Association. While Healthworks shares the same vision of KHA, Optimal Health for Kansans and Kansas Hospitals, its specific mission is to facilitate collaboration and innovation to improve health. Healthworks strives to accomplish this in a variety of ways. This year, the focus of Healthworks falls within three priority areas - 1. Health Care Delivery and Redesign, 2. Workforce Supply and Capacity and 3. Funding and Stability.

The Healthworks brand is likely recognizable to you, however, you may not know the breadth and scope of the resources it provides to support Kansas hospitals. As part of its portfolio, Healthworks has been the lead organization that has supported QHi, the multi-state, web-based benchmarking tool designed by small rural hospitals and clinics to give executives insight into clinical quality, finance and operations, workforce and patient satisfaction. At present, QHi is being used by 205 hospitals in 9 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 that I would like to spotlight include its role in helping Kansas hospitals build a sustainable workforce as well as its work in the area of new models of care. Developing a sustainable and knowledgeable workforce pipeline continues to be 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 types of workforce initiatives are furthering career exploration and helping hospitals grow 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, expansion of clinical faculty/rotation sites and expansion of high school programs focusing on health care careers.

Another important project that Healthworks has been leading for several years includes the exploration of new health care delivery models. Years ago, the initial ideas and concepts from Kansas hospitals looking at new ways to address care in rural communities gained traction and are largely incorporated into what is now the Rural Emergency Hospital model. Kansas is now home to three Rural Emergency Hospitals. Recently, Helathworks 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 assist communities interested in having 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 the projects and initiatives, it also requires visionary leadership from the Healthworks Board of Directors. I want to specifically express my appreciation for the Board’s leadership and commitment to the vision and mission of Healthworks. The 2026 Healthworks Board is led by Dee Dee Dewell, Pioneer Health Network, Garden City (Chair); Janell Goodno, Kiowa District Hospital, Kiowa (Vice Chair); and current Board members include 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; John Fitzthum, Community HealthCare System, Inc., Onaga; Aaron Herbel, Mercy Hospital, Inc., Moundridge; Eddie Hermann, Hays Medical Center, Hays; Chad Koster, Amber-Med Sheridan County Hospital, Hoxie; Sarah Ragsdale, Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center; Chuck Welch, Scott County Hospital, Scott City; Brian Williams, Labette Health, Parsons. Thank you again for your dedication in serving Healthworks.

For more information on Healthworks and their projects visit www.healthworkskha.org.
--Chad Austin