Labette Health honored a former senior vice president and chief nursing officer with a plaque dedication on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Kathi McKenny began her Nursing career when she received her Licensed Practical Nursing certificate from Neosho County Community College in 1978.
Throughout her career, she continued to further her education. She earned an associate’s degree to become a Registered Nurse in 1986. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2009, followed by a Master’s Degree in Health Care Leadership from Friends University in 2014.
Labette Health’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Williams introduced McKenny, and highlighted the many areas she worked in during her tenure. Williams noted that McKenny’s career at Labette Health began on May, 27, 1986, back when the name was still Labette County Medical Center.
During her time at Labette Health, McKenny has worked in the medical-surgical unit, the pediatric unit, obstetrics, and the intensive care unit.
In 1998, she was selected to be the director of the ICU and the medical-surgical unit. In 2009, she was named director of quality. Williams said in 2010, her leadership and clinical expertise earned her the role of chief nursing officer, where she served until Sept. 30, 2025. McKenny now serves as the President of Southeast Kansas Health.
William’s said her incredible courage and standard for team collaboration were instrumental in the development of Independence Healthcare Center and navigating Labette Health’s clinical team through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kathi has been at the bedside of countless patients, providing the highest quality of care with the greatest amount of contagious compassion; becoming known by her colleagues as a nurse’s nurse,” Williams said. “From the beginning and throughout her nursing career, her goals were simple: elevate the clinical level, encourage leaders to get involved, deliver best practices, and most importantly — always do what is best for the patient.”
These highlights of her career are also noted on the plaque, which sits just beyond the main desk of the hospital.
See PLAQUE, Page 3.
“I’m very humbled, thank you,” McKenny said after the plaque was unveiled. “I am blown away with all that. I can’t say it enough, you can’t do anything without an amazing team.”
McKenny noted that throughout her career she has been able to work with many intelligent people, and that it was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Labette Health.
“Nursing is a career that people get into, and we don’t do it for these things,” McKenny said. “We go into it to take care of our patients in their time of need.”
McKenny said she was proud of her time at the bedside of patients, because that was the foundation on which she made her decisions as she grew in her career.
“I’m proud to be a nurse, and I’ve always been so proud to be connected to Labette Health in every single way,” McKenny said.
After the ceremony, Williams described McKenny as his hero.
“Being a veteran, I can relate to the stress and challenges she faced for three or four years during COVID,” Williams said. “She’s one of my heroes.”
Doug Stacy, who previously worked at Labette Health, and is currently serving as the CEO of Wilson Medical Center. He noted his pride in McKenny’s success.
“I’m just very proud of Kathi McKenny. Her caring and compassionate attitude is something we try and reflect, and now we have a reminder,” Stacy said. “Kathi is the reason this organization is what it is today. We’re proud to be on her team.”
Christina Sykes, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, described McKenny as the cornerstone of Labette Health.
“She genuinely cares about our community, our patients, and knows that we have the privilege to serve,” Sykes said. “She’s an incredible example, and truly still continues to make us better.”
