09/15/2025
Dear Friends,
Over the past six months or more, the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) Board of Directors—both the Executive Committee and the full Board—has been closely monitoring changes in the health care landscape and evaluating their impact on our organization. Even in strong financial years, sustaining an organization primarily funded through grants is challenging. The KHC staff has done an exceptional job, and we fully recognize the significant impact they have made across Kansas health care organizations.
Unfortunately, the funding environment has shifted. The grants that have historically supported our work are no longer available. While the need for KHC’s mission remains as vital as ever, the financial foundation to support that work has changed.
After thoughtful and careful consideration, the KHC Board has made the difficult decision to initiate a significant operational transition, which includes the layoff of all KHC staff, effective Oct. 3, 2025.
As you can imagine, this has not been an easy decision. Our deep respect for the staff and their many accomplishments remains unchanged. However, we must be realistic about the future sustainability of the organization under current circumstances.
Leaders from our founding organizations—the Kansas Medical Society and the Kansas Hospital Association—have been actively involved throughout this decision-making process.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Rachelle Colombo or Chad Austin.
Future communication (after 10/3/25) to KHC should be addressed to either Chad Austin, President and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association or Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director of the Kansas Medical Society:
caustin@kha-net.org
rcolombo@kmsonline.org
Thank you for your support of the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative. Future opportunities for collaborative efforts such as this will come up. We look forward to building on the work that has been done by this dynamic organization.
Sincerely,
Chad Austin and Rachelle Colombo
https://conta.cc/48fmDKv
Email from Kansas Healthcare Collaborative Dear Friends, Over the past six months or more, the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC) Board of Directors—both the Executive Committee and the full Board—
