The Kansas Hospital Association Leadership Institute graduated its 23rd class of 31 students on Sept. 5, 2025, at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Wichita, Kansas. Students were nominated by their hospital’s CEO to be part of this select group. They represent the future leaders of Kansas hospitals.
Helping to build future health care leaders is important to the Kansas Hospital Association. “We are committed to strengthening and promoting the leadership capacity of hospital employees in Kansas,” said Chad Austin, president and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association. The KHA Leadership Institute was established to help hospitals provide professional development opportunities that accentuate the personal skills and abilities
needed to facilitate positive change and innovation in Kansas hospitals.
The 2025 Leadership Institute class was diverse. They represented a wide geographic distribution of hospitals
from St. Francis to Liberal and Neodesha to Lawrence – there was representation from all parts of the state.
Students had been working in health care for as little as a year to 20 years. Several students have been in management positions while others were new managers. Some students also supervisor other staff, from a few to more than 50 employees.
It is important to note that the students nominated to participate in this program were not selected because
they needed to learn “management skills.” They were nominated because their CEO recognized their potential
to be future leaders and wanted to help cultivate that development. Each one of these students made a
personal and professional commitment to expanding their skills by attending all six courses of the Leadership
Institute.
The curriculum was structured to enhance each student’s leadership abilities. Course #1 focused on explaining
the difference between leadership and management, identifying organizational values and creating a positive organizational climate. Course #2 focused on enhancing communication skills and grassroots advocacy. Course #3 focused on team building – including how to lead a team and how to be part of a team and Course # 4 examined conflict and conflict management. Course #5 was at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show.
Students learned about the challenges facing health care.
KHA Leadership Institute Class of 2025 (photo attached)
Steven Bazan, Newman Regional Health, Emporia
Lori Bortzfield, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson
Sara Boyd, Memorial Health System, Abilene
Terance Brooks, Select Specialty Hospital, Wichita
Kourtney Brown, Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, Junction City
Anoria Carlson, Prairie View, Inc., Newton
Jessica Carson, Cheyenne County Hospital, Saint Francis
Shannon Deines, The University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus
Megan Donecker, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned
Misty Duncan, Caldwell Regional Medical Center, Caldwell
Amy Elliott, Amberwell Hiawatha, Hiawatha
Stephanie Flegler, Russell Regional Hospital, Russell
Natalie Fowler, NMC Health, Newton
Adam Gall, Wilson Medical Center, Neodesha
Wesley Goforth, Republic County Hospital, Belleville
Taylin Hein, LMH Health, Lawrence
Ashley Hutchinson, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina
Jayna Kelly, Wamego Health Center, Wamego
Sonjia Lemons, Greenwood County Hospital, Eureka
Amy Meyer, Meade District Hospital/Artesian Valley Health System, Meade
Chandra Michaelis, Rice Community Health, Lyons
Jodi Miller, Minneola Healthcare, Minneola
Monica Mullender, Osborne County Memorial Hospital, Osborne
Jaqueline Nieblas, Southwest Medical Center, Liberal
Brian Pfannenstiel, HaysMed, Hays
Cameron Rickel, Holton Community Hospital, Holton
Braden Shackelford, Stormont Vail Health, Topeka
Hanna Sharp, Scott County Hospital, Scott City
Patricia Smith, Edwards County Medical Center, Kinsley
Kristen Srna, Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc., Manhattan
Shawn Weldin, Sabetha Community Hospital, Sabetha
The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization existing to be the leading advocate and
resource for members. KHA membership includes 242 member facilities, of which 124 are full-service,
community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is: “Optimal health for Kansans and Kansas hospitals.”
