MHA Recognizes Outstanding Leadership and Innovation at Annual Convention
Four individuals and three hospitals were recognized for exemplifying the people-focused values that are foundational in Missouri’s hospital community at the Missouri Hospital Association’s 104th Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
During the Celebration of Achievement Awards dinner held Nov. 4, MHA presented the Distinguished Service Award — MHA’s highest honor — as well as the Visionary Leadership, Aim for Excellence and Trustee of the Year awards.
“These awards celebrate the organizations and individuals who give so much to their communities and who work every day to make health and care for Missourians better,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA president and CEO.
Richard Liekweg, former CEO of BJC Health System in St. Louis, received the Distinguished Service Award. This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to hospitals, health systems, communities, health care and MHA.
Two visionary health care leaders also were honored for taking innovative approaches to managing the health of the communities they serve. The 2026 Visionary Leadership Award was presented to Jason Shenefield, MBA, FACHE, president and CEO of Phelps Health in Rolla, Mo.; and Misty Todd, M.D., program director of the Family Medicine and Rural Residency Program at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Mo.
This year’s Aim for Excellence Award was presented to three organizations: Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany, Mo.; Mosaic Life Care at St. Joseph, Medical Center; and SSM Health in St. Louis. This award recognizes Missouri hospitals’ innovation and outcomes.
Finalists for the Aim for Excellence Award were Bothwell Regional Health Center and Mercy. BJC Christian Hospital, Phelps Health and BJC Health received honorable mentions.
Additionally, Phillip “Joe” Smith, a member of the Pershing Memorial Hospital Governing Board, was recognized with the 2026 Trustee of the Year Award, which recognizes hospital trustees for their leadership skills, grassroots advocacy, community involvement, meeting participation and personal development.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a nonprofit association in Jefferson City that represents 138 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.