HIMSS Kansas Chapter Board of Directors
President: Sara Warnock
Education: BA, Communications Studies, University of Kansas; AS, Health Information Technology, Washburn University
Background: Sara Warnock, Director of Technology Solutions and Senior Project Manager for Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN) and KONZA, supports a team of project managers who work with hospitals, ambulatory clinics, and behavioral health centers to connect them to the Health Information Exchange. Sara and her team work closely with healthcare providers and IT professionals across the state to ensure that data sharing in Kansas remains complete, accurate, and meaningful.
Sara’s areas of focus within health information exchange include eHealth Exchange, HL7 data quality, and large Health System integrations. She’s passionate about expanding and supporting her team members’ skills, but also their career development and satisfaction with the work that they do so well every day.
President Elect / Vice President: Alisha Herman
Education: BS in Network and Communications Management, EMT
Background: Alisha Herrmann earned her Bachelor of Science in Network and Communications Management from DeVry University in Kansas City, MO. She has been the IT Director and currently CIO, HIPAA Security Officer and Education Coordinator for Edwards County Medical Center in Kinsley, KS since 2009. She became an EMT in 2015.
Secretary / Past President: Shawn Weldin
Education: Network Technology Program – Flint Hills Technical College
Background: Shawn has worked in the technology industry over 20 years, and has been with Sabetha Community Hospital as the Director of Information Technology since 2007. As the director he oversees all technology within the hospital, clinic and home health agency operated by SCH.
Treasurer: Melissa Mixon
Background: Director of Information Technology at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital and Physicians Clinic. She has worked in the Health Information Technology department of MLMH for 18 years, the last 6 as the Director of IT. She has been a member of HIMSS and KSHIMSS since 2018. In her role she is personally responsible for HIPAA security, Promoting Interoperability & MIPS Programs, Quality Health Initiatives, and Data analytics. She was instrumental in connecting the CAH to the HIE and various health exchanges. Mellissa also oversees all technology for the hospital, EMS and clinics ensuring HIPAA compliance as well as overall cyber security for the facility. Mellissa in her off time also serves as the chair of the Lincoln Library Board, is a member of KHSE (KS Home Educators), HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Assoc.), and ACM (Assoc. For Computing Machinery).
Membership Chair: Melissa Talley
Advocacy Liaison / Events: Sally Othmer
Sally Othmer, Senior Director of Data Services and Quality Reporting at the Kansas Hospital Association, oversees all data collection and analysis for the association’s member hospitals relative to health information technology, employee compensation, administrative data and numerous quality projects. She has successfully managed the Quality Health Indicator, QHi, Multi-State benchmarking project for over ten years assisting nearly 400 rural hospitals and clinics to strengthen their approaches to quality and financial viability. Sally has a background in math, education, information technology and over 20 years of experience in the realm of healthcare.
Interoperability Chair: Rhonda Spellmeier
Education:
Background:
Web/Communication Chair: Nate Richards
Education: BS in Information Networking and Telecommunications (FHSU); BA in Foreign Language German (Marburg Germany)
Background: Nate Richards earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications with a certificate in Leadership Studies from Fort Hays State University. He also received a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language German from Philipps-Universitat in Marburg Germany. Nate is currently the IT Director and HIPAA Security Officer at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems. With over 20 years experience in the IT industry, 16 years have been with Mitchell County Hospital. Nate thoroughly enjoys working in the ever changing and challenging healthcare world.
Member Representative: Kerry Kellerman
Background: Kerry is the Network Manager for Great Plains Health Alliance. Kerry is a 1984 graduate of Fort Hays State University with an Associate of Science degree in Data Processing. Kerry has worked with information technology for 35 years with the last 21 years being in healthcare. Kerry is an active member of Rotary International, the Kansas Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the Kansas Hospital Association.
Member Representative: Kevin Myers
Member Representative: Jason Bengel
Member Representative: Scott Rohleder