2025 Kansas Health Impact Conference

Bridging Gaps for a Healthier Kansas

October 23, 2025

  • Sessions
    • Welcome
      Sarah Irsik-Good, MHA
      President and CEO
      KFMC Health Improvement Partners
    • From Trust to Transformation: Bridging Community and Holistic Care for Human Flourishing
      Mary Flin, MAT, BECC, SEC
      Chaplain, Seminary of Urban Leadership
      Shannon Sadowski, AABA, BFA
      Community Health Navigator, TUMI Topeka

    • Improving the Health of Kansas Farmers and Rural Communities through Extension CHWs
      Elaine Johannes, PhD, MS, BS
      Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor in Community Health, K-State Research and Extension
      State Extension Specialist, Department of Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University

    • Advancing Quality and Equity in Maternal Care Across Kansas
      Sonia Jordan, MA
      Health Equity Manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
      Amy Jantz, RN, BSN, CPN
      Quality Clinical Informatics Specialist, Medical Affairs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas
      Virginia Barnes, MPH
      Director, Blue Health Initiatives, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas

    • From the Streets to Stability: Multidisciplinary Care at Encampments to Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness
      Misty Bosch-Hastings
      Director, Homeless Solutions Division, City of Lawrence
      Kelby Sanders, ST-LAC, KCPM, KCPS, PCCM
      Substance Use Disorder Outreach Clinician, Mirror, Inc. for City of Lawrence, Homeless Response Team
      Rebecca Lagger-Dyar, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
      Outreach Clinician, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Department

    • Stronger Together: Creating Community Partnerships to Increase Nutrition Security
      Katie Martin, PhD
      CEO, More Than Food Consulting, LLC

    • The Future of Community Health Workers in Kansas: Pathways to Access, Sustainability, and Growth
      Treva Smith, Certified CHW Instructor
      Workforce Development Specialist, Community Care Network of Kansas
      Angela Scott, CHW
      Co-President, Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition

    • Sifting Through the Static: Transforming Fragmented Maternal Health Data
      Mariah Chrans, PhD, IBCLC
      Program Director, Cradle Kansas City
      Community Health Council of Wyandotte County

    • Beyond the Table: Building Bridges for LGBTQIA+ Health Equity
      Tori Gleason, DC, MPH
      Clinical Analyst, LMH Health

    • Panel Presentation: From the Ground Up – Local Voices Leading Health Equity Work
      Vickie James, Food and Farm Council of Riley County and City of Manhattan
      Tony DeRossett, Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry
      Leanne Eilert and Jay Rowh, Solomon Valley Transportation
      Brenda Groves, LPN, CDP, CADDCT
      Quality Improvement Manager, KFMC Health Improvement Partners