Several Southwestern College Leadership students spent Monday, Jan. 19, in Olathe attending an educational session on non-profit hospitals at the Olathe Medical Center.

“Currently there is debate surrounding the differences between non-profit and for profit hospitals so it was a timely topic to visit,” says Brae Johnson, Americorps Vista at Southwestern.

Mike Jensen, chief marketing officer in the Olathe Health System, conducted the session.

According to Johnson, the information was specific to the structure and leadership at Olathe Medical Center.

“Beyond that information, our students also found out about jobs and internships available in the Olathe Health Systems,” says Johnson.  

Over the last few years, the Leadership teams have learned about the leadership style of different organizations. Two years ago, the team went to Baylor University. Last year they visited Southwest Airlines. This year the team decided to get the perspective of a leadership style from a non-profit organization.

“Many of the leadership students are familiar with non-profit organizations through the lens of a church or charity. So looking at a non-profit through the lens of a hospital gave everyone a different view.”

The students who attended included: Cassi Reimer, Lyndsie Oathout, Justin Fruck, Lacey Hibbs, Kaydee Johnson, Kyle Luttgeharm, Andrew Topham, Taggart Wall, Kaycie Goff, Dallas Leonard, Anna Macy, Gage Cranmer, Kari Roth, Laura Morgan, Kate Topham, Julie Wilke, Caitlin McCurdy, Scott Rethorst, and Elizabeth Macy. Cheryl Rude, director of Leadership Southwestern; Eric Webb, graduate assistant, and Johnson also attended.