An Affiliate of the Kansas Hospital Association

 

 

2009 KHHRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Past-President, Chapter Management, KHA-KHHRA Liaision, Northwest District Director, Southwest District Director, North Central District Director, South Central District Director, Southeast District Director, Northeast District Director, Member at Large


PRESIDENT

Bob Brazil
Memorial Health System
Abilene, KS
W-
785-263-6611
F-
785-263-6687
rbrazil@MHSKS.org
COO
Bob began his career at Memorial Health System in Abilene, Kansas as the Chief Operating Officer in May 2002. His primary function is Human Resources; however, several departments also report to him. He has over 30 years in the Human Resources field. During this time he has been the President of the Oklahoma Hospital Personnel association, President of the Tulsa Personnel Association, and an officer in the Colorado Hospital Human Resources Association. He has been a member of KHHRA for 7 years and is a member in good standing of the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration. He earned a Master of Behavioral Science degree from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.

Bob is currently a City of Abilene Planning Commissioner.  In the past he has also been the Abilene ROTARY Club President, Worshipful Master of Benevolent Masonic Lodge #98, Board of Directors of the Abilene Masonic Temple Association, Board of Director Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce, and Board of Director for the Mile High Chapter of Legal Administrators.

Bob Brazil is married, has two married daughters, three granddaughters, and one grandson. He and his wife Alice enjoy an excellent quality in Abilene, Kansas!

 

 PRESIDENT-ELECT

Sandy Wedel
Ellsworth County
Medical Center
W- 785-472-5028, x305
F-   785-472-5731
swedel@ewmed.com
 
Sandy Wedel is the Director of Systems Improvement and Rural Health Clinics at Ellsworth County Medical Center, a position held since 2001.  Sandy is a member of ASHHRA, SHRM and has been a part of KHHRA for the past 4 years.   Although she has had extensive experience in managing Physician clinics for over 15 years, human resources has always been a part of that. “I felt like I was ready to take on the responsibility of this position and so began a new career and have enjoyed it immensely. I know it sounds corny but I love helping people and the relationships developed through the KHHRA group have become invaluable. The list-serve and now our website are great tools and we do our best to help each other in any given situation.”

 

TREASURER
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Nicole Nelson
Cloud County
Health Center
W- 785-243-8522
F-  785-243-8411
nrnelson@cchc.com
 
Nicole Nelson

Nicole Nelson is the Director of Human Resources at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia and has worked in the Human Resources field for 10 years with the past 4 years being at the Director level.

Nicole has been a member of KHHRA since 2003 and is currently serving as the North Central Director and Secretary.  She is also a member of ASHHRA and SHRM. 

Nicole and her husband Jeff have three daughters at home; MaKayla, Olivia and Kaitlyn.  They enjoy living and raising their family in a smaller community. 

“KHHRA and the opportunities it provides are invaluable.  I feel extremely fortunate to be part of such a knowledgeable and supportive group of people.”  

 

SECRETARY

Carla Sharp
Citizens Medical Center
W-  
F-   
csharp@nwkshealthcare.com

 

Carla has been an employee with Citizens Medical Center, Inc. since 1994 and in the Human Resources department as Benefits Coordinator since 1998.    Carla enjoys her job and loves working with her fellow employees, she considers CMCI her extended family.  Carla joined KHHRA in 1998 and has learned so much being a part of this very talented and dedicated group.   She strives to follow in the past Board of Directors footsteps and keep KHHRA always moving forward. 

Carla is a single Mom and she has two beautiful children, Desire’e, and Jordan, both in college.  Carla is involved in her community with Thomas County Relay for Life, Ambassador for American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Thomas County, and Thomas County Interagency Coalition.

 

PAST-PRESIDENT
 

Ken Brown
Pratt Regional
Medical Center
W- 620-450-1170
F - 620-450-1410

 

Ken Brown Ken Brown is the V.P. Human Services with Pratt Regional Medical Center, a position he has held since 1987.  Ken has a dual BS degree in Human Resource Management and Radiologic Technology from Friends University, Wichita, KS and a Masters degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University. Brown is a member of ASHHRA and was awarded the Outstanding Chapter Contribution Award in 2003.  Brown has served as South Central District Director and KHHRA Board Treasurer.  Ken is the recipient of the 2008 Marilyn Gates Award.

 

KHHRA / KHA LIAISION

Steve Poage
KS Health Service Corp.
W- 785-233-7436
F- 785-233-6955
spoage@kha-net.org
Steve Poage is the liaison between the Kansas Hospital Association and KHHRA.  Steve has been the Vice President/CFO for the Kansas Hospital Association since 1997 and assumed the role of CEO for Kansas Health Service Corporation in 2005.  A 1990 graduate from Bethany College, Steve has also passed the certified public accountant exam.  Steve and his wife Tammy have four children.

 

CHAPTER MANAGEMENT CHAIR

Margaret Kummer
Citizens Medical Center, Colby
W- 785-460-4877
F-  785-460-4870
mkummer@nwkshealthcare.com

 

 

 

Margaret Kummer

 

 
Margaret Kummer is the Vice President of Human Resources for Citizens Medical Center, Inc.; a position she has held since 1994.  Margaret has a Bachelor of Arts’ degree from Fort Hays State University.  She is a member of SHRM and ASHHRA and received ASHHRA’s Outstanding Chapter Officer Award in 2008.  Margaret has enjoyed being a part of KHHRA for fourteen years and has been fortunate to serve the KHHRA membership for much of that time, as a board member and as the Northwest District Director.  Margaret, her husband, Terry, and their daughter, Abbie, reside in Colby. 

 

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT

Jay Tusten
Bob Wilson Memorial
Grant County Hospital

W-  (620) 356-6073
F-   (620) 356-2302
jtusten@bwmgch.com
 

Jay Tusten, is the Vice President of Human Resources at Bob Wilson Memorial Grant County Hospital, in Ulysses, Kansas. He has been with BWMH for 4.5 years and has been a member of KHHRA for three years. Jay has Masters Degrees in Audiology from Kansas University and Management from Friends University.  He has worked in various capacities (Audiologist to Administrator) in the health care field over the past 18 years, and has also worked as online faculty with the University of Phoenix for the past five years providing instruction in Employment Law and introductory management classes.

Outside of work, Jay enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and their four daughters. He is a sports “junky”, and is a diehard Jayhawk fan. When not watching the “big game”, he enjoys movies and reading. 

 

SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Traci Smith
Sumner Regional
Medical Center

W-  (620) 399-1231
F-  
(620) 399-1296
tracis@srmcks.org
Traci Smith is the Human Resources Coordinator for Sumner Regional Medical Center in Wellington.  Traci has been with SRMC in the human resources department since 2002.  She graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (focus in Human Resources) and a minor in management from Wichita State University.  She has been a member of KHHRA since 2003.  Outside of work, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan and their two small children, a son Laken and a daughter Olivia.  Traci is an active part of the community she lives in by volunteering with the Sumner County Relay for Life and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sumner County.

 

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

Debbie Marr
Fredonia Regional Hospital
W -- 620-378-2121, x202
F -- 620-378-3169
dmarr@frh1.org
  Debbie Marr is the Director of Human Resources at Fredonia Regional Hospital. Debbie joined the Fredonia Regional Hospital administration staff in 2000 on a part-time basis as an administrative assistant and the job developed in to a full-time human resource position for Fredonia Regional Hospital.  Besides the Administrative duties that Debbie is responsible for, she is also responsible for the human resources management, new hire orientations, benefits administration, workers compensation, performance management, employee relations, personnel data management and credentialing of all physicians.  Debbie’s professional career started in business office management for a Physicians Office where she enjoyed a successful 19-year’s prior to coming to Fredonia Regional Hospital.  She is a member of SHRM and has been a member of KHHRA since 2000.  Debbie received the Chapter Officer Award for Outstanding Leadership in 2007.  She has previously held the board positions of secretary and VP.

 

NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Becky Rafferty
Hiawatha Community Hospital
W -- 785-742-6258
F -- 785-742-6559

brafferty@hch-ks.org

Becky Rafferty is the Human Resources Director at Hiawatha Community Hospital; a position she has held since 2006.  She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2000 with a BBA in Management and Organizations, and has held progressive HR positions at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, and the U.S. Department of State.  In addition to the HR knowledge gained in these positions, she received front line knowledge of the visa and immigration process while working for the State Department.   

Becky is a member of SHRM and received her PHR designation in 2006.  She resides in Hiawatha with her husband and daughter.  She is heavily involved in establishing a community owned daycare center for Hiawatha to help hospital employees have a reliable child care option. 

 

 

 

NORTHWEST DISTRICT

Donella Belleau
Graham County Hospital
W-  
F-   
 

 

Donella is the Director of Human Resources at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, a position she has held since 2006. She has been employed at GCH over 20 years, starting in Medical Records and then moving to Administrative Assistant for ten years. She graduated from Friends University, Wichita, in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. Donella is a member of SHRM and KHHRA.  

“When starting my career in Human Resources, the KHHRA group was my most important source of practical advice and support. I am excited about this opportunity to serve the group and other members as the Northwest District Director.”   

Donella has three married children and is the proud grandma of two granddaughters.

 

MEMBER AT LARGE

Todd Tangeman
Newton Medical Center
W -- (316) 804-6009
F -- (316) 804-6277
todd.tangeman@newmedctr.org
 
Todd is a Human Resources professional with over 18 years of progressively-responsible  experience.  Although a generalist, areas of focus have been Compensation, Benefits, HRIS, and Change Management.  He has enjoyed opportunities to work at the corporate, regional, and local levels of small and large organizations which have spanned several industries including telecommunications, technology consulting, manufacturing, and healthcare.  Our move from Oregon to Newton in 2006 was intentional as we were seeking a smaller-town, Midwest lifestyle for our family.  We love it here and I'm enjoying being a part of Newton Medical Center.  Prior to our move, I worked as a Human Resources leader with Providence Health System in Oregon.