Valued Voice

Hanna YoungHanna Young, a 2023 graduate of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) Health Care Leadership Academy, recently accepted a new role as Administrator at Emplify Health by Gundersen Hillsboro Area. WHA Vice President of Education and Corporate Partnerships Leigh Ann Larson sat down with Hannah to learn about her expanded role and how participation in the WHA Health Care Leadership Academy prepared her for this next chapter in her career. 

Leigh Ann: What made you interested in moving onto a new and expanded role?

Hannah: Rural health care provides great opportunities for new leaders to influence the health of the community while staying connected to the day-to-day work and feeling a close connection with the patient. Rural hospitals are small and agile organizations where new ideas can be piloted, and the impact can be seen and felt by those you serve. This role gives me the chance to put into practice what I learned through the Leadership Academy and to support a strong team at Hillsboro as we continue working together to meet the needs of our patients and community.

Leigh Ann: How do you plan to use what you learned in the Leadership Academy in your new role?

Hannah: The Leadership Academy strengthened my understanding of the broader business of health care and reinforced the importance of leading with strategy, communication and collaboration. It provided learning objectives that are not typically covered in a classroom setting but are extremely important aspects of leadership. I found the lessons taught by Jeff Chan, MA, on change management particularly valuable and believe there are several key takeaways for leaders navigating a constantly changing industry such as health care. In my new role, I’ll use those lessons to help guide thoughtful decision-making, support our people, leverage relationships and navigate challenges with a systems-level perspective—helping me connect my new rural community with the greater health system.

Background: 

Beginning in 2022, WHA and the Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional & Executive Development (CPED) launched the WHA Health Care Leadership Academy. This 5-month long program, developed by WHA member hospital leaders, is open to both clinical and non-clinical WHA members. Its goal is to expose the hospital leaders of tomorrow with the nuances of the “business of health care” so they can contribute in more meaningful ways to better patient care, cost management and service delivery. 

Congratulations Hannah! To learn more about participating in the 2027 WHA Health Care Leadership Academy, please reach out to Leigh Ann.