Pioneers in Health

David Jordan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Welcome to the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund Podcast, Pioneers in Health. We hope to bring you inspiring stories of pioneering health leaders who led important efforts to improve health. We’ll bring you guests from our state, from our nation and from your backyard to tell their stories of how they broke new ground and changed the landscape of health care.

  1. 4D AGO

    Sherman Smith, editor in chief, Kansas Reflector

    Ep. 49: Sherman Smith is the editor in chief of Kansas Reflector, which he founded in 2020. A three-time Kansas Press Association journalist of the year, he writes about things powerful people don't want others to know. Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Listen now, and learn how Sherman is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund, visit: https://healthfund.org/

    38 min

  2. APR 23

    Christina Holt, Interim Director, Center for Community Health and Development

    Ep. 48: Christina was recently named the interim director for the Center of Community Health and Development, a subcenter of the KU Life Span Institute. Christina has served as the assistant director at the center for six years before being named interim director; the current director retires in May.   Her deep experience at the center began when she was a student intern and member of the Kansas Community Leadership Corps. She has served in a variety of roles at the center for 27 years, and most recently began leading a CCHD project in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation focused on workforce and economic development.   Listen now, and learn how Christina is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    27 min

  3. APR 9

    Brenda Bandy, Executive Director, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition

    Ep. 47: Brenda Bandy serves as the executive director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition. She oversees KBC’s programs, working across sectors to build support and remove barriers for breastfeeding families.   She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and former La Leche League volunteer.   In this episode, she discusses her passion for breastfeeding, the benefits of breastfeeding, the business case for breastfeeding and much more!   Listen now, and learn how Brenda is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    36 min

  4. MAR 26

    Dr. Jennifer McKenney, MD, FAAFP, Fredonia Family Care

    Ep. 46: Jennifer Bacani McKenney, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in her hometown of Fredonia, Kansas, a community of approximately 2,200 people. She has owned and managed her practice Fredonia Family Care alongside her father and other great colleagues since 2009. McKenney was named the 2021 Rural Health Practitioner of the Year by the National Rural Health Association and received the Early Career Achievement Award by the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2021.   McKenney is currently the associate dean for rural medical education for the KU School of Medicine. She also serves as the Wilson County health officer and is co-chair of the statewide Health Officers of Kansas group.   She was a member of the USD 484 school board, serving as the president for two years. She is a past president of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and was the resident member of the AAFP Board of Directors. She serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Health Foundation and is on the medical staff at Fredonia Regional Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. She has made numerous appearances on national and local news covering COVID-19 and rural health.   Listen now, and learn how Dr. McKenney is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    45 min

  5. MAR 12

    Former Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, CEO of Sebelius Resources, LLC, and co-chair of the Aspen Institute Health Strategy Group

    Ep. 45: Kathleen Sebelius served as the 21st secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services from 2009-14. As HHS secretary, Sebelius was instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Before becoming secretary, she served as the 44th governor of Kansas from 2003-09, the second woman to hold that office. She currently serves as CEO of Sebelius Resources, LLC, as well as co-chair of the Aspen Institute Health Strategy Group, a nonpartisan group addressing critical U.S. health challenges.    Listen now, and learn how Secretary Sebelius is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    57 min

  6. FEB 26

    Dr. Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts & Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics, Director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research

    Ep. 44: Dr. Donna Ginther is the Roy A. Roberts & Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.   Prior to joining the University of Kansas faculty, she was a research economist and associate policy adviser in the regional group of the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta from 2000 to 2002 and taught at Washington University from 1997 to 2000 and Southern Methodist University from 1995 to 1997.   Her major fields of study are scientific labor markets, gender differences in employment outcomes, wage inequality, science policy, and investments in children.   A native of Wisconsin, Dr. Ginther received her doctorate in economics in 1995, master's degree in economics in 1991, and bachelor of arts in economics in 1987, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Listen now, and learn how Donna is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    40 min

  7. FEB 12

    Beth Ludlum, VP for strategic initiatives and executive director of The Hub for (Re)Imagining Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary

    Ep. 43: The Rev. Dr. Beth Ludlum serves as vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of The Hub for (Re)Imagining Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.   At Wesley Theological Seminary, she has completed both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree, the latter focused on the applications of human-centered design thinking for congregational flourishing. At Wesley, she creates new initiatives, partnerships and experiments to help students and the church live into God’s dream for the world; has launched and manages several programs focused on innovation with emerging generations and congregational thriving; and oversees strategic planning and marketing.   Her career path has included teaching English at a university in China, working for U.S. Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, directing programs at a national nonprofit, working in admissions at Wesley, and serving global United Methodist collegiate ministries. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. She is passionate about empowering young adults in leadership and revitalizing ministry.   Listen now, and learn how Beth is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    29 min

  8. JAN 29

    Kari Bruffett, President and CEO, Kansas Health Institute

    Ep. 42: Kari Bruffett serves as president and CEO at Kansas Health Institute. With extensive experience in national and state health policy, she has advanced efforts at KHI to support effective policymaking through new and enhanced services while continuing to ensure high-quality, objective research, education and engagement.   She previously served as KHI’s vice president for policy and led the organization’s policy activities, business operations and strategic planning. Prior to KHI, Kari held executive leadership roles in the health and human services sector of state government. She served as secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and as the director of the Division of Health Care Finance at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. She also served eight years in government affairs at The University of Kansas Hospital and four years in Washington, D.C., as a congressional staffer.   Kari currently serves on the board of directors for the National Network of Public Health Institutes and for Midland Care and is a member of the Strategic Advisory Board for the Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality.   Listen now, and learn how Kari is an innovative leader in Kansas.   For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

    55 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund Podcast, Pioneers in Health. We hope to bring you inspiring stories of pioneering health leaders who led important efforts to improve health. We’ll bring you guests from our state, from our nation and from your backyard to tell their stories of how they broke new ground and changed the landscape of health care.

Information

  • Creator
    David Jordan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Jordan
  • Show Website
    Pioneers in Health

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