Hospital Leaders Share Insights For Exceeding HEALTHPAC Contribution Goals

HEALTHPAC Reception LF 2025

Leading your organization's participation in HEALTHPAC — the Missouri Hospital Association’s state-level political action committee — can be intimidating. It doesn't have to be. Learn what your peers from throughout the state are doing to coordinate successful contribution campaigns.

Why HEALTHPAC matters

HEALTHPAC is a powerful way for hospital teams to support candidates who understand the critical role hospitals play in their communities. In 2024, a total of 378 donors contributed more than $145,000 to HEALTHPAC to support 172 candidates. Each year, MHA’s board sets an overall campaign goal for HEALTHPAC, with the 2025 goal being $165,000.

MHA also sets individual goals for MHA-member hospitals and health systems. Because each member hospital benefits from the PAC funds raised, members are encouraged to do their part to meet their goals.

Several Missouri health systems and hospitals have held successful HEALTHPAC events and campaigns throughout the years. Now, these hospital leaders are sharing their experiences, valuable lessons and practical tips for engaging staff, setting goals and making the contribution process effective and enjoyable.

Educating and engaging employees

At Mosaic Life Care, based in St. Joseph, Mo., Pat Dillon, chief government and community relations officer, said he and the CEO spend time explaining the importance of giving at executive leadership meetings.

C. Todd Ahrens, president and CEO, and Matt Doellman, director of government relations and compliance officer, both of Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, said each year, they send emails to their executive team, managers, medical staff and board of directors to educate them about the purpose and importance of HEALTHPAC.

“We’ve had great success using the informational materials provided in the MHA campaign toolkit,” Doellman said.

Hosting events

HEALTHPAC fundraising events are a great way to boost engagement. Hannibal Regional Healthcare System hosted its first fundraising event this year. “It was a tremendous success — we already doubled the amount raised last year that was through an email-only campaign,” Ahrens said.

Both Mosaic Life Care and Hannibal Regional Healthcare System invited MHA staff to their off-site events to share with their staff the mission of HEALTHPAC and how contributions are used.

Promoting campaigns and events

Email remains a key tool for promoting HEALTHPAC fundraising events and efforts. Hannibal Regional Healthcare System uses digital flyers and key campaign details, and the hospital’s PAC campaign coordinator leads personal outreach efforts to engage staff and encourage participation, Ahrens said.

“I also personally inform our board of directors about the campaign and invite them to participate, reinforcing the importance of leadership involvement at all levels,” Ahrens said.

Setting fundraising goals

MHA provides each member hospital a goal based on its number of full-time equivalent staff. To meet this goal, MHA suggests that each identified individual contribute 1/10 of 1% of their salary, said Christy Carel, MHA’s director of membership services. For example, a leader who makes $100,000 annually is suggested to contribute $100.  

“We base our minimum goal off of the suggested amount, but our goals are to reach at or above the previous year,” said Michele Meyer, CEO of Washington County Memorial Hospital in Potosi, Mo.

Using effective strategies

Dillon said constant reminders and sharing examples of how HEALTHPAC has led to successful legislation have been effective in encouraging employee participation at Mosaic Life Care.

Hannibal Regional Healthcare System leaders have found that personal outreach is key to employees participating in its HEALTHPAC campaign.

“Leadership involvement is crucial,” Ahrens said. “When I and our vice presidents participate — and when MHA leaders speak at events — it sends a strong message about the importance of advocacy. This visible support legitimizes the effort and motivates staff at all levels to get involved.”

Meyer said she has found that sharing personal stories, highlighting past accomplishments, distributing informational packets and hosting in-person discussions have been the most effective strategies at Washington County Memorial Hospital.

Overcoming challenges

While Mosaic Life Care reported some challenges with online giving, HEALTHPAC contributions can be made via mail-in forms with checks.

At Hannibal Regional Healthcare System, Doellman and Ahrens said some staff have been hesitant around making political contributions.

“We addressed this by emphasizing that HEALTHPAC is nonpartisan and supports policies — not parties,” Doellman said.

Compliance is another challenge, as HEALTHPAC activities must remain separate from official hospital business.

“Make sure you fully understand the rules and remain mindful of compliance throughout your campaign,” Ahrens added.

Meyer noted that at Washington County Memorial Hospital, many in the community are cautious with finances and hesitant to support causes they don’t fully understand.

“We address this by focusing on education, transparency and emphasizing the direct impact HEALTHPAC has on health care policy,” she said.

Offering advice for successful fundraisers

For hospital leaders interested in hosting their own HEALTHPAC event or campaigns, the following advice is provided.

• Identify an enthusiastic PAC campaign coordinator — an individual who serves as the main point of contact and champion for the campaign, Doellman said.
• Make sure hospital staff know that HEALTHPAC fundraisers can be informational, casual and fun, Dillon said.
• Take advantage of the resources provided by MHA, and don’t hesitate to reach out to their staff for guidance, Ahrens said.
• Personal stories, leadership involvement and consistent communication can build trust and engagement over time — even without hosting large events, Meyer said.

Learn more about MHA’s PACs and read how HEALTHPAC serves as an investment in the future of hospitals and health care in Missouri.