HOME | ABOUT US | MEDIA KIT | CONTACT US | INQUIRE
HOME | ABOUT US | MEDIA KIT | CONTACT US | INQUIRE
University of Kansas Health System Executive Vice President, COO, CNO and President of the Kansas City Division, Tammy Peterman.
Posted September 20, 2023
"In addition to skills and competencies to do the job – I look for leaders to be great team members, demonstrate humility, and have a passion for the work they do. We have to work as a team, build teams, support teams to provide the best patient care and a great environment for our staff."
Q: What do you consider your organization’s most significant achievement or highlight over the past year?
A: The intentional, thoughtful, and inclusive process for integrating Olathe Health into The University of Kansas Health System. Hundreds of employees have worked together to make the right decisions, not the fast decisions. Our road forward is better because of the time we spend planning for and doing the work of integration.
Our formula for success continues to work. While no healthcare organization can take its eyes off smart growth and sustainability, we have always said the way to achieve success in those areas is by having a competent and engaged team focusing on providing the very best care and outcomes for patients. Staying true to that formula made fiscal year 23 a success.
Q: We have the new KCI up and running; what do you believe is the Next Big Thing we should pursue in the Kansas City region?
A: Continuing to make Kansas City a center for cancer research and treatment is high on the list. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center designation is significant and something we can build on. The $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to support the University of Kansas Cancer Center to build an amazing facility for research and patient care is a major part of the journey to make Kansas City a destination for Cancer Care. Supporting those at the bench and the bedside to work together to develop the next generations of cancer treatment is big.
I think the work on expanding the streetcar in a way that connects different parts of our city is important.
Q: What is the most essential skill you look for in leadership-level hires?
A: In addition to skills and competencies to do the job – I look for leaders to be great team members, demonstrate humility, and have a passion for the work they do. We have to work as a team, build teams, support teams to provide the best patient care and a great environment for our staff. And that teamwork starts with leaders—leaders who can work as great teammates across the organization and who build great teams to ensure collaboration takes place across the system. Patient care is safer and better when we work as a team and that starts with leaders.
Q: If you could start a charity, what would the mission be?
A: I would love to spend time helping students and young people learn about roles and opportunities in health care. Getting them interested in healthcare careers early will help build a pipeline of interested individuals for the future. I think we need people from diverse backgrounds and from both urban and rural areas to learn about the many opportunities in the healthcare field. I realize there are already organizations doing some of this work.
Q: What’s your current employee headcount?
A: With the addition of Olathe Health System, we have about 17,000 staff and over 1,500 physicians.
Q: Over the coming year, do you plan to add/reduce staff or hold at current levels?
A: We don’t have specific plans to add a significant number of staff – we make those decisions based on the needs of the organization.
