Jessica Cobb serves as the Nursing Director for the Emergency Department and Women’s Center at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg. She has 14 years of experience in health care, including 12 years as a Registered Nurse. Her clinical background is rooted in emergency nursing, with experience in both traditional emergency departments and rural freestanding emergency facilities. Jessica has held a variety of leadership roles for the past nine years, including positions in Emergency Services, Intensive Care, Quality and Regulatory Compliance, and Labor & Delivery. Her areas of expertise include clinical operations, performance improvement, regulatory readiness, and multidisciplinary team leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pittsburg State University and two graduate degrees from the University of Kansas Medical Center: Master of Science in Nursing (Organizational Leadership) and Master of Health Services Administration. Jessica maintains national certification as a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN). Her professional focus includes advancing nursing practice, strengthening quality and safety initiatives, and supporting high-performing clinical teams.

Aundrea DuFrane-Johnsrud is a student in the associate degree nursing program at Barton Community College where she recently earned her practical nursing certificate. She is an LPN. Prior to her decision to pursue nursing education, Aundrea graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science in General Studies in 2019. She has more than a decade of experience in childcare and health care, leading to a well-rounded perspective on caring for individuals across a variety of ages, stages of life, and care settings. As she begins her nursing career, Aundrea is excited to apply her knowledge and to continue growing professionally. She is passionate about being a lifelong learner and looks forward to the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead as she continues her journey in the nursing profession.

Max Garcia is an MSN student at Baker University. He grew up in the Strawberry Hill area of Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences. He entered health care in 2014 as a nurse intern while earning his BSN degree. After graduating in 2015 and passing his licensure exam in January 2016, he began working on the Cardiac Transplant Unit at Saint Luke's Hospital. Now, 10 years later, he lives in Topeka and is earning a master's degree in nursing education. He will start teaching Foundations of Nursing to first semester students this fall. He is proud to be a part of the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center Board and looks forward to growing the nursing workforce with competent and compassionate nurses.

Tina Garetson spent 15 years as a teacher throughout rural Missouri, teaching band and math. Covid brought professional changes with a year spent tutoring math virtually to students across the U.S. and in the U.K. In July 2022, Tina started as an Education Coordinator within the KU Area Health Education Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. In the following years, that job has evolved and she is the Health Career Promotions Program Manager and the Kansas HOSA Future Health Professionals State Advisor. In this role, Tina advocates for healthcare workforce development, coordinates multiple events for students and teachers across the state, and works to provide equitable access to health career exploration to students no matter their location.

Amy Hite has extensive education and clinical practice in rural healthcare. This is evident through her history of service, leadership, mentoring, and organizational skills. She is Director and Professor at the Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas and has taught undergraduate and graduate nursing courses at PSU since 2004. She has successfully secured five federal HRSA Grants: two for rural Nurse Practitioner Residency and three for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Projects. Amy enjoys serving on regional, national and international boards, committees, and task forces and has served on the Kansas Board of Nursing education committee and board of directors. She is currently a member of the Kansas Attorney General’s Anti-Human Trafficking Advisory Board. Amy maintains part-time clinical practice as an Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner at a Rural Level III Trauma Center.

Kristie Jones is an experienced healthcare leader with 30 years of hospital and nursing operations across acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and critical access settings. She currently serves as Market Director of Professional Development at Wesley Medical Center, a 760-bed Level I trauma center in Wichita, Kansas, where she directs leadership development programs, implements organization-wide initiatives, and delivers training aligned with organizational priorities. Kristie’s clinical expertise and vast leadership background enables her to coach leaders at every level supporting individual development to leading executive team offsites. She is a certified Personal Change Management instructor and Ntrinsx facilitator.

Previously, Kristie was Chief Nursing Officer at Wesley Rehabilitation Hospital, overseeing nursing and ancillary clinical operations. Earlier, she served as Chief Nursing Officer at William Newton Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, gaining publishing rights collaborating with Southwestern College for nursing competencies. Kristie is a long-standing member of the AONL and has been actively involved with the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders currently serving as Past-President. Kristie holds an MBA and a BSN, summa cum laude. She was recognized as DPD of the Year (2024) and named among the Wichita Business Journal’s Women Who Lead – Major Companies (2023).

A dedicated nursing leader recognized for a strong commitment to advancing the profession and supporting rural healthcare, Jayna Kelly has demonstrated excellence in leadership, quality improvement, and workforce development. Her contributions have been instrumental in achieving national recognition for organizational performance, including honors for exceptional staff retention, patient safety, quality outcomes, and financial stewardship. She has been recognized as a rising leader through multiple distinctions, including a regional “20 Under 40” award and national acknowledgment through the Catholic Health Association as an emerging leader in healthcare. Her people-first leadership style emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and building resilient teams that deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washburn University and a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in executive leadership from Chamberlain University. With a clinical background spanning infection prevention, emergency care, and medical-surgical nursing, she brings a well-rounded perspective to healthcare operations. Her experience at the bedside informs her strategic decisions, ensuring they remain grounded in practical, patient-focused solutions. She is passionate about mentoring future nurses, strengthening rural health systems, and fostering environments where both patients and healthcare professionals can thrive.

Kathleen Kottas started her nursing career over 40 years ago at Central Kansas Medical Center (CKMC) in Great Bend, Kansas where she worked in med-surg, ICU, telemetry, PACU, and emergency room, as well as house supervisor. In 1987, Dr. Kottas began teaching in the nursing program at Barton Community College while continuing to work part time at CKMC. In 1995, she went back to CKMC full time as their Hospital Applications Coordinator and Education Coordinator. In 1996, she joined Central Kansas Family Practice as an APRN, where she practiced until 2011. In 2005, she joined the Kansas Nephrology Physicians practice, and she currently manages their dialysis patients at the Great Bend facility.

In 2011, Dr. Kottas returned to Barton Community College as the Executive Director of Nursing and Healthcare Education. In 2020, she became the Dean of Workforce Training and Community Education.

Carla Lee is a registered nurse, certified advanced nurse administrator, certified health education specialist, and certified family and adult nurse practitioner. She has served as an adjunct full professor and director of research in nursing and home anesthesia at Newman University, as well as consultant for establishment of a home health agency. Dr. Lee also currently serves as the executive director and project officer of La Familia Senior and Community Center, as well as lecturer to many nursing and community-based associations.

Laura Mallett serves as the director of nursing at the Mary Grimes School of Nursing, Neosho County Community College. She has been in nursing for 43 years. Her clinical background is in the ICU and ER, and she has spent about 32 years in nursing education and the last 8 years in nursing administration. She has been on several committees that support nursing and nursing education over the years.

Robert Mangold is a healthcare executive currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital and level IV trauma center in Burlington, CO. In his role as COO, Robert is responsible for the daily operations and oversight of the hospital, ensuring high-quality patient care and operational efficiency.

Robert earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Barton Community College, his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University, and his Master of Science in Nursing in Leadership and Management from Western Governors University. His career in healthcare began as a Certified Nurse Aide, after which he became a Registered Nurse. Over the years, Robert has gained diverse experience in several roles, including acute care nurse, emergency department nurse, nursing education coordinator, operating room nurse and supervisor, and Director of Nursing. Most recently, he served as Chief Nursing and Operations Officer at Logan County Health Services in Oakly, KS.

With more than a decade of healthcare experience, Robert is deeply committed to fostering positive work environments and providing high-quality, evidence-based care. His leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of innovative approaches and teamwork in delivering excellent patient outcomes.

Rachel Pepper serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for the Kansas City Division of The University of Kansas Health System. With more than two decades of service to the organization, she has held a variety of nursing leadership roles, bringing extensive experience in nursing operations, professional development, and healthcare quality. A strong advocate for nursing excellence and workforce development, Dr. Pepper is committed to fostering innovative, patient-centered care environments and supporting the growth of future nursing leaders. Her expertise in healthcare leadership and academic health systems provides valuable insight for the nursing workforce.

Libby Rosen has been a nurse for over 50 years with a focus on maternal child nursing. She has been an educator, starting with childbirth preparation and community education and focused on collegiate education over the last 25 years, serving as Dean of Baker University School of Nursing from 2021-2026. She is currently a senior professor of nursing at Baker University, teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs.

Dr. Rosen received her diploma in nursing from Stormont Vail School of Nursing in 1974, her BSN from Washburn University in 1994 and her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 2009. She is proudest of her pioneer spirit to help establish the first out-of-hospital birth center in Kansas in 1980, the Pregnancy and Infant Loss support group in 1990, and the Breastfeeding Clinic at Stormont Vail Health in 1996 that still provides over 1,000 appointments in a month. She has published on the topics of maternal and infant sleep and pregnancy and infant loss support.

Terry Siek is the Director of Clinical Services for the Kansas Hospital Association. He recently transitioned into this role after more than 36 years at Hays Medical Center, where he served as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services. Throughout his career, Terry has played a pivotal role in advancing nursing practice, building leadership capacity, and guiding organizations through major clinical and cultural transformations. He is known for his approachable leadership style, steady decision-making, and ability to create environments where nurses feel supported and empowered. Terry’s influence extends beyond individual institutions, contributing to nursing workforce development and community health initiatives across Kansas.

Scott Smathers serves as Dean of Washburn University Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech), where he provides academic, fiscal, and administrative leadership for the institution. He oversees educational programs across five locations in Shawnee County and one at Fort Riley, ensuring students gain the real-world knowledge and technical skills needed for high-demand careers and successful job placement.

Prior to becoming Dean, Smathers served as Vice President of Workforce Development for the Kansas Board of Regents. His professional background also includes work as a certified economic developer in Kansas and Texas, as well as experience as an international retail consultant, advising companies on strategic location selection and operational decisions worldwide.

Gloria Soendker is an experienced leader in home health and hospice care. Her professional background spans both clinical practice and organizational leadership, including the implementation of medical software systems, workforce development, and operational oversight. Her leadership has been guided by a commitment to patient-centered care, strong team culture, and effective service delivery. Drawing on her experience in nursing, administration, and project management, Gloria offers a practical and informed perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the healthcare workforce.

Alissa Stinnett is a healthcare executive and doctoral-prepared nurse serving as Vice President of Population Health & Clinical Operations at Sunflower Health Plan. She brings extensive experience in value-based care, care management, and clinical operations, with a proven ability to translate regulatory, quality, and contractual requirements into effective, scalable care models. Alissa has led large, multidisciplinary teams and partnered closely with health plans, providers, and community organizations to improve outcomes for complex and underserved populations. Her expertise includes population health strategy, workforce design, maternal and child health, and operational performance oversight. Alissa is recognized for her pragmatic leadership style, strong governance mindset, and commitment to aligning clinical quality with financial sustainability.

April White is a lifelong Kansan and a first-generation college graduate who joined the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) in February 2013. She provides executive leadership for the Kansas Postsecondary Technical Education Authority and serves as the state leader on issues related to postsecondary education and workforce training aligned with the needs of the Kansas economy. Her responsibilities include developing policy for postsecondary technical education; overseeing curriculum and program evaluation, system funding, benchmarks, and accountability; managing federal initiatives; administering GED testing; and serving as the Kansas State Director for both the Carl D. Perkins and Adult Education programs. Throughout her tenure at KBOR, April has worked on numerous initiatives, including Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas, Excel in CTE, the Promise Act, program alignment, new program proposals and modifications, military articulation, the Nursing Initiative, and support of the Transfer and Articulation Council.

Prior to joining KBOR, she worked at a Kansas community college in roles spanning admissions, advising, adjunct faculty, and program director. April holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Washburn University and a Master of Business Education from Emporia State University.

Jennifer Williams is the Director of Nursing Practice, Research, and Professional Development at The University of Kansas Health System, where she provides strategic leadership for professional development, clinical nurse specialist practice, and nursing research across a multi-hospital system. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri–Columbia and was certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2001. Dr. Williams practiced for more than 21 years in emergency and critical care settings, combining clinical expertise with systems-level improvement. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Saint Louis University in 2014 and has since focused her career on advancing nursing practice through evidence-based practice implementation, workforce development research, and professional education.

Dr. Williams joined The University of Kansas Health System in 2016 and currently supports enterprise-wide initiatives related to nursing governance, education infrastructure, research integration, and professional advancement. She has served as faculty for the University of Kansas School of Nursing, Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health, and Webster University mentoring nurses and students across academic and clinical settings. Dr. Williams is passionate about building sustainable systems that support high-quality nursing practice, scholarly inquiry, and continuous professional growth.