Sara Wells, Kirby Medical Group Clinic Director, and Emmy Combs, Patient
Access Manager for Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center, were named
the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network’s 2016 ‘Outstanding
Young Leaders’ during ceremonies held November 9th at the Crowne
Plaza, Springfield.
“ICAHN’s ‘Outstanding Young Leader and Rising Star’
awards are granted to those role models, agents of change, and health
innovators who not only shape policy but engage others in successful teamwork,”
said Pat Schou, ICAHN Executive Director. “Sara and Emmy were so
exceptional we couldn’t select just one winner this year. They show
great promise, as do all our ‘Rising Stars,’ and we are honored
to bestow all these awards.”
Sara Wells stepped into the clinic director role in the midst of accommodating
new providers and staff members, EMR updates, Accountable Care Organization
transmissions, quality measures, and clinic education surrounding Patient
Centered Medical Home. At this time, planning was also underway for construction
of an additional rural health clinic for the Monticello-based hospital.
“She made it a priority to educate herself on rural health clinics,
worked toward certification, and successfully completed a rural health
clinic survey with the Illinois Department of Public Health while also
studying for, and earning, her second Master’s degree in Business
Administration and raising a family,” said Steve Tenhouse, CEO,
Kirby Medical Center. “She has been a terrific addition to Kirby’s
leadership team by making meaningful contributions on a regular basis
to our events, strategic planning discussions, and by being a reliable
representative of this organization in general. She is a forward thinker,
a self-starter, and is not only very positive but has been blessed with
tremendous critical thinking skills. Patients and fellow staff at Kirby
believe her heart for nursing and the community’s health outcomes
are what directs her leadership in all the areas in which she’s
involved.”
Since starting her role as Kirby Medical Group Clinic Director, the clinic
has opened “Quick Care,” expanded its Saturday and evening
hours, and is currently in the process of building and opening another
rural health clinic in Cerro Gordo, Illinois.
Sara Wells, Kirby Medical Group Clinic Director, Monticello, is shown here
receiving the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network’s 2016 “Outstanding
Young Leader” award from Mark Rossi, ICAHN Board President.