MHA Honors Leaders, Innovators At Annual Convention Awards Dinner

Five 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 103rd Annual Convention in St. Charles, Mo.

During the Celebration of Achievement Awards dinner Nov. 5, 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 honor organizations and individuals who go above and beyond for their communities and who support the continuous improvement of health and care in Missouri,” said Jon D. Doolittle, MHA president and CEO.

William Mahoney, president of Cox Branson and senior vice president of CoxHealth’s Community Hospital Group, 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. Jenna Hicks, director of quality and population health at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Mo., and Laura Kaiser, president and CEO of SSM Health, both were recognized with the Visionary Leadership Award.

The Aim for Excellence Award was presented to three organizations: MU Health Care's Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo., Community Hospital-Fairfax and NKC Health in North Kansas City, Mo. This award recognizes Missouri hospitals’ innovation and outcomes.

Additionally, Renee Fordyce, treasurer of the Harrison County Community Hospital Board in Bethany, Mo., and Mike Hoffman, board chair of Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital, each received the Trustee of the Year Award, which recognizes hospital trustees for their leadership skills, grassroots advocacy, community involvement, meeting participation and personal development.