President's Perspective – Les Lacy to Receive the Charles S. Billings Award

It is a pleasure to announce that Les Lacy, RN, vice president of regional operations at the Great Plains Health Alliance, has been selected to receive the Kansas Hospital Association's 2026 Charles S. Billings Award.

Convention Spotlight: Thank You to Our Sponsors

As excitement builds for the 2026 KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show, we want to express our appreciation for the organizations whose generous support helps make this event possible.

Strengthen Your Nurse License Monitoring Process

If you were unable to attend the Noon Briefing, Strengthening Nurse License Monitoring, the webinar recording and the Nursys e-Notify Hospital Toolkit are available to share with your hospital leadership team.

Help Shape the Future of Rural Health Care in Kansas

Healthworks is seeking motivated individuals to help bring Rural Hospital Transformation Program projects to life across Kansas. These independent contractor opportunities offer a chance to support meaningful work that strengthens rural health care, and relocation to Topeka is not required.

Cybersecurity and Retirement Plans: Protecting Yourself Against AI Threats – Aug. 13

Join KHSC's partner, OneDigital, at noon on Aug. 13 for a free webinar to help you prepare for cybersecurity threats specific to your retirement plans.

Blood Shortages Noted and Call to Action

The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism announced on July 24 that the U.S. blood supply is at significant risk of shortages because of a weeks-long decline in blood donations.

Cyclosporiasis Surveillance Data

KDHE has created the Cyclosporiasis Surveillance Data webpage to help track and manage the Cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee Conducting Public Survey

This survey aims to understand how Kansans view substance use and drug overdose, and it includes questions about awareness, community needs and resources, state priorities and policy considerations.

Health Observances and Recognition Days for August

Supporting KHA's vision, "Optimal Health for Kansans and Kansas Hospitals," KHA is sharing SHSMD's Health Observance Calendar as a tool for planning your health events, internal and external communications and social media campaigns.

Federal and National News

Medicaid Fraud War, Last Chance to Report Your Data, New Diagnostic Tests, DMEPOS Requirement Updates, Health and Fire Safety Deficiency Information, Report on Medicare's Financial Status, Rule to Update List of Items Subject to Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery, CMS Proposes Medicaid Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold, Before You Go.