Hospital Welcomes New Leadership Talent
North Kansas City Hospital welcomed three new members to its administrative leadership team, reflecting the hospital’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence.
“We’re continuing to focus on the hospital’s future through our leadership team” said Peggy Schmitt, president and chief executive officer of NKCH and Meritas Health. “These individuals were thoughtfully selected for their proven performance and expertise.”
Kristen Guillaume
Kristen Guillaume joined the hospital as vice president and chief information officer in September 2018. She provides oversight and direction for clinical and administrative information technology priorities across the enterprise, ensuring advancements create value and support the hospital’s goals.
Prior to joining NKCH, Guillaume held several leadership roles at Cerner and Netsmart, bringing more than 20 years of experience in information services and healthcare technology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University.
Kerri Jenkins
In February, leadership welcomed Kerri Jenkins, RN, MBA, as senior vice president and chief operating officer. With more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Jenkins leads the hospital’s operations, constantly striving to develop services that can positively enhance patient care.
Before joining NKCH, Jenkins was the executive vice president and chief operating officer at SSM-St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri; COO at Abrazo West in Goodyear, Arizona; and chief nursing officer at Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, Texas.
Rhonda Self
NKCH veteran Rhonda Self, BSN, MBA, recently joined the executive leadership team as vice president of Care Coordination and Quality. She leads Case Management, Orthopedic, Cath Lab and Cardiology/Neurology Services, Health Information Management, Performance Improvement and Infection Prevention.
In her 26-year tenure at NKCH, she has held a variety of leadership roles. Self earned an Executive MBA from Rockhurst University after completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Central Missouri State University.
About North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health
For more than half a century, North Kansas City Hospital has been the Northland’s preferred healthcare provider. NKCH is an acute-care facility with 451 licensed beds and 550 physicians representing 49 medical specialties. From a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, to award-winning cardiovascular and orthopedic programs, to home health and hospice, NKCH provides a lifetime of care.
In 2018, NKCH earned Magnet® designation, the highest achievement for nursing excellence. The hospital’s oncology partnership with The University of Kansas Cancer Center provides our patients access to clinical trials only available at the nation’s leading cancer centers.
Through its Meritas Health subsidiary, NKCH offers the largest network of provider practices in the Northland, with more than 140 primary and specialty care physicians in 30 convenient locations, including express care clinics in the Liberty, Gladstone and 64th Street Hy-Vee stores.
NKCH also operates Wellness Corners located in the North Kansas City YMCA, the Gladstone Community Center and Zona Rosa shopping center. The Wellness Corners offer free blood pressure checks; the opportunity to talk with a nurse; programming on obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease; health fairs and basic screenings; and wellness events.
The hospital’s mission, vision and values reflect a strong commitment to the health and well-being of the Northland community and beyond. Each year, NKCH sponsors approximately 60 charitable and community organizations and serves more than 24,000 people through its dynamic Community Health & Wellness programs.
Explore North Kansas City Hospital’s full range of services at nkch.org, and discover all the services Meritas Health offers at MeritasHealth.co