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Leading Health Podcast

The Kansas Health Foundation published Leading Health in 2025. Today, this companion podcast will help break down key concepts in the book and introduce actionable ways we can work together to make a real impact on Health in Kansas. 

In each episode, KHF President & CEO Ed O’Malley and Senior Advisor Susan Kang will highlight a chapter in the book and discuss it with Kansans who are actively engaged in expanding our definition of Health—our conversation catalysts. 

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way. 

Episodes drop every other Tuesday beginning February 10, 2026. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Leading Health Book

Leading Health Chapter 16

Leading Health Chapter 16

The 30,000 love to talk about the vision (the what) and the purpose (the why), but it’s rare for them to really talk about the “how.”

10/06/2026

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Podcast Leading Health Book

Leading Health Chapter 15

Leading Health Chapter 15

To close the Health Gap, you need to shift from “encouraging” to using your leadership and authority to “create” collaboration.

09/22/2026

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Podcast Leading Health Book

Leading Health Chapter 14

Leading Health Chapter 14

What if the systems we built to move people forward are actually the ones holding communities back?

09/08/2026

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Meet Our Conversation Catalysts

Teresa Lovelady

President & CEO, HealthCore Clinic

Teresa Lovelady began her partnership with HealthCore clinic as an uninsured patient and served as a member of the consumer board before transitioning to the role of CEO in 2010. Through her lived experiences she once carried statistical titles such as high school dropout and teen parent, and she also knows what it’s like to be in the ALICE threshold. Now, as the President and CEO of HealthCore Clinic, she is able to turn experience into outcomes for over 13,000 patients. During her tenure, she oversaw the expansion of the Clinic’s main site and is actively working toward opening three new clinics in the Wichita area where the team can expand its integrated healthcare services including medical, dental, and behavioral health, alongside a pharmacy, mobile clinic and a healthy food pantry.

Kari Bruffett

President & CEO, Kansas Health Institute

Kari M. Bruffett has served as President and CEO of the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) since May 2022. A veteran leader in state and national health policy, she focuses on advancing objective research, education, and strategic engagement to support effective policymaking. Before her current role, she served as KHI’s Vice President for Policy. Her extensive career in Kansas state government includes leadership as Secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and Director of the Division of Health Care Finance at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Additionally, she spent eight years in government affairs for The University of Kansas Hospital and four years as a congressional staffer in Washington, D.C. Bruffett currently serves on the board of directors for the National Network of Public Health Institutes and for Midland Care, and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Board for the Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality.

Kenny Wilk

Vice President of Governmental & Community Affairs, University of Kansas Health System

Kenny Wilk is a former member of the Kansas house of Representatives, having served 16 years representing Kansas’ 42nd district from 1993-2009, and prior to that, held a 31-year career in various Operations roles at Hallmark Cards Inc. As a State Representative, Wilk served on nearly every prominent panel in the chamber and held several significant leadership roles such as chairing the House Appropriations and Taxation Committees, Economic Development Committee, and the Legislative Budget Committee. In 2011, Governor Sam Brownback appointed Wilk to the Kansas Board of Regents. Now, as the Vice President of Governmental and Community Affairs at the University of Kansas Health System, overseeing federal, state and local governmental affairs along with community relations and outreach services.

Johnathan Sublet

Executive Director, SENT

Johnathan Sublet is a visionary leader with deep experience in driving community-focused initiatives and organizational growth. As the Executive Director of SENT, Inc, a Topeka-based non-profit organization that stands for Strengthening & Equipping Neighborhoods Together and focuses on three pillars of transformation including Community Health and Wellness, Education and Workforce Development and Housing and Revitalization. Beyond his work at SENT, Sublet is the Lead Servant Pastor of Fellowship Hi-Crest Church, the Chair of the K-State Shawnee County Extension Community Development Program Development Committee, Board member of United Way of Kaw Valley Board of Directors and sits on a number of taskforces such as the City of Topeka Affordable Housing and Homelessness Taskforce.

Ben Hutton

CEO, Hutton

Ben Hutton is Chairman and CEO of Hutton. Prior to becoming CEO in 2016, Ben served as the President beginning in 2010. He has served on the boards of various civic and nonprofit organizations, including currently serving on the board for the Greater Wichita Partnership and Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as serving as the Director for Equity Bancshares, Inc. As the second-generation owner of the business, Ben grew up in what was then known as Hutton Construction. From cleaning up job sites when he was younger to now setting the strategic vision for a company that meets client needs far beyond construction, he has many years of experience in all aspects of the industry.

Drew Wilburne

Associate Vice President, Kansas Health Foundation

Drew Wilburne plays a key part in leading complex, multi-partner efforts regarding statewide funding. This includes everything from place-based public health initiatives, to shared service models. Wilburne’s previous role at KHF was Director of Civic Life and Policy, and in his current role he remains responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the Kansas Health Foundation’s approach to civic life and policy work. Wilburne resides in Wichita with his wife, Jen, and daughter, Audrey. He believes deeply in the ability of people and the power of community.