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The 30,000 and Health

What happens when the people with power and influence in our communities fail to act on the factors that create Health? The data tells a sobering story: stroke victims, ER visits, and cancer diagnoses are all trending upward. This isn’t just a healthcare issue—it’s a leadership challenge.

We explore the concept of Kansas’s “30,000”—the elected officials, nonprofit executives, pastors, business leaders, and community influencers who hold the keys to creating conditions where everyone can thrive. These aren’t just abstract ideas. We sit down with Teresa Lovelady, President & CEO of HealthCore Clinic, who brings a unique perspective as someone who has lived on both sides of the health gap. From showing up as an uninsured mom seeking care for her son’s asthma to now leading one of Wichita’s most vital community health centers, Teresa shares what it really means to bridge the divide between those with authority and those struggling to survive.

Highlights

• The 30,000 Kansans who hold civic authority have outsized influence on the conditions that create health in our state.
• The ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) represents the working poor who are trying hard but can’t make ends meet.
• “Mommy shaming”—the judgment that prevents people from seeking help—creates barriers to health that go beyond insurance and access.
• Small acts by people in positions of authority can create massive ripple effects: asking how someone is doing, making thoughtful budget decisions, or simply listening without judgment.
• The health gap isn’t just about individual choices—it’s about the systems and structures that the 30,000 create and maintain.
• Being part of the 30,000 comes with responsibility, but also opportunity to make meaningful change in your sphere of influence.

Chapters

• 0:48 – Welcome to Episode Two
• 0:54 – Recap of Chapter One and Introduction to Chapter Two
• 1:46 – The Role of the 30,000 Kansans
• 3:56 – Understanding the ALICE Population
• 5:36 – Interview with Teresa Lovelady
• 6:35 – Teresa’s Personal Journey from Patient to CEO
• 16:05 – Challenges and Responsibilities of Leadership
• 23:56 – Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources Mentioned

• HealthCore Clinic: Federally qualified health center in Wichita, Kansas providing medical, dental, behavioral health services, pharmacy, food pantry, and health education
• United for ALICE: Learn more about the individuals that make up ALICE, Asset Limited, Income
  Constrained, Employed.

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way. Claim your copy of the book and learn more about the movement.