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K A N S A S HOSPITA L A S SOCI ATION'S annual convention focused on Keys for Success, including leadership, collaboration, innovation and commitment. "Those were the themes that ran throughout the convention, and they tied closely into the awards we presented," says Cindy Samuelson, KHA's Vice President, public relations and politi- cal fundraising. T he convent ion , held S ept . 7 a nd 8 i n Wich it a , wa s attended by 1,328 participants, including CEOs from 88 of the state's 127 hospitals, and provided speakers, continuing education opportunities, as well as the chance for collaboration and networking. A long the way, KHA members also celebrated those who embody each of the Keys for Success: STEVEN KELLY Kel ly, for mer pre sident a nd C E O of New ton Medica l Center, received the Charles S. Billings Award, which is KHA's highest honor and is given to recognize disting uished ser vice and outstanding contributions to the field of hea lth care in Kansas. REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN CONCANNON Representative Concannon was presented w it h t he Di st i n g u i shed Hea lt h Ca re Advocate Award for her role in leading the advancement of public policies that address and improve the Kansas healthcare system. MELISSA HUNGERFORD Hungerford, the former CEO of Kansas H o s p i t a l E d u c a t i o n a n d R e s e a r c h Foundation, wa s recog nized w ith the Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award for her outstanding, innovative contribution to healthcare delivery, healthcare financing and other initiatives that improve health and clinical outcomes. GEORGE STOVER Stover, CEO at Hospital District No. 1 of Rice County, in Lyons, was recognized with the American Hospita l Association's Grassroots Award for hospital leaders who educate elected oŒcials on how issues a§ect hospitals, broaden community support for the hospital and are tireless advocates for hospitals and patients. The AHS awards one individual from each state. HEALTH CARE WORKER OF THE YEAR Tamra Altman, RN, Wichita County Health Center; Patrick Parker, Lawrence Memorial Hospital; and Heather Porter, RN, Newton Medical Center were recognized as the 2017 recipients of the Health Care Worker of the Year Award, which recognizes and honors the excellence of healthcare workers statewide who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty. Additional nominees were Stacy Augustyn, Allison Barkus, Danielle Bohl, Jane Chance, Jody M. Gragg, Angie Martin, Isidro Morales, Julie Nichol and Alyssa Sears. Graduates of the 16th class of KHA Leadership Institute celebrated commencement at the convention. The program's 32 students were nominated because their CEOs recognized their potential to be future leaders and wanted to help cultivate that development through six courses of leadership training. Members of the KHA Leadership Institute Class of 2017 are: Timothy Barker; Carrie Biermann, RN; Liz Claassen, RN; Cheri Comstock, RN; Karla Crissman; Tara Dahlstrom; Kelley Drake, ASN; Erica Forbes, BSN; Brie Greeson, RN; Drew Hamel; Amanda Hebb, RN; ReChelle Horinek; Ryan Jackson, RN, BSN, A DN, MHL; Megan Kear; Cherie Knott; Stephanie LaRue; Misty Long, RN; Megan Mawhirter; Bret McClure, RN; Kasey Nichols, MD; Traci Noll; Tammy Oxford; Jennifer Ploeger; Elizabeth Rupp; Steven Seems; Tammy Snelling; Michael C. Stallbaumer; Angie Taylor; Stacy Trester, RN; Echo Vaden, RN; Elizabeth Yunghans, RN; and Drew Zerr. TRUSTEES OF THE YEAR Nine trustees from across Kansas were chosen as 2017 Trustees of the Year. They include: Allen Fee; Stephen Hopkins; Tony Isaac; Tom Jernigan, DVM; Stan Kats; Cathleen Reed; Susan Schrader; Lance White; and Rod Ziegler. ■ K H A C E L E B R AT E S MEMBERS WHO EMBODY KEYS FOR SUCCESS AT ANNUAL CONVENTION 2 8