What happens when the people with power and influence in our communities fail to act on the factors that create Health? The data tells a sobering story: stroke victims, ER visits, and cancer diagnoses are all trending upward. This isn't just a healthcare problem—it's a leadership problem.

We explore the concept of Kansas's "30,000"—the elected officials, nonprofit executives, pastors, business leaders, and community influencers who hold the keys to creating conditions where everyone can thrive. These aren't just abstract ideas. We sit down with Teresa Lovelady, President and CEO of HealthCore Clinic, who brings a unique perspective as someone who has lived on both sides of the health gap. From showing up as an uninsured mom seeking care for her son's asthma to now leading one of Wichita's most vital community health centers, Theresa shares what it really means to bridge the divide between those with authority and those struggling to survive.

Highlights

• The 30,000 Kansans who hold civic authority have outsized influence on the conditions that create health in our state

• The ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) represents the working poor who are trying hard but can't make ends meet

• "Mommy shaming"—the judgment that prevents people from seeking help—creates barriers to health that go beyond insurance and access

• Small acts by people in positions of authority can create massive ripple effects: asking how someone is doing, making thoughtful budget decisions, or simply listening without judgment

• The health gap isn't just about individual choices—it's about the systems and structures that the 30,000 create and maintain

• Being part of the 30,000 comes with responsibility, but also opportunity to make meaningful change in your sphere of influence

Chapters

[0:48] - Welcome to Episode Two

[0:54] - Recap of Chapter One and Introduction to Chapter Two

[1:46] - The Role of the 30,000 Kansans

[3:56] - Understanding the ALICE Population

[5:36] - Interview with Theresa Lovelady

[6:35] - Theresa's Personal Journey from Patient to CEO

[16:05] - Challenges and Responsibilities of Leadership

[23:56] - Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources Mentioned

• HealthCore Clinic - Federally qualified health center in Wichita, Kansas providing medical, dental, behavioral health services, pharmacy, food pantry, and health education - https://www.healthcoreclinic.org

• United for ALICE - Learn more about the individuals that make up ALICE, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/Kansas

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.

What if the biggest health crisis in Kansas isn't happening in hospitals at all? After touring one of America's best health systems and witnessing cutting-edge stroke treatments and trauma care, host Ed O’Malley left feeling worried instead of impressed. The problem isn't that we lack brilliant doctors—it's that we need more and more of their brilliance every year. Everything is trending up and to the right: more strokes, more trauma cases, more cancer diagnoses. But why?

The answer lies in understanding a crucial distinction: health with a lowercase "h" versus Health with a capital "H." Lowercase health is healthcare—it's what happens when you're already sick. Capital H Health is your ability to thrive. It's everything that creates the conditions for wellbeing: your neighborhood quality, economic opportunity, education, transportation, even broadband access. And here's the thing: Kansas used to be one of the healthiest states in the nation. We've fallen as low as #31. No state has fallen further in 35 years.

This podcast series explores how 30,000 influential Kansans—elected officials, business leaders, educators, community organizers—can help turn this around. Because improving Health isn't just a healthcare challenge. It's a leadership challenge.

Highlights:

• The distinction between capital H Health (ability to thrive) and lowercase health (healthcare/sick care)

• Why everything is going "up and to the right" in healthcare—more strokes, trauma, and cancer cases every year

• The shocking lifespan gap: Mission Hills (86.7 years) vs. Argentine (75.1 years)—just miles apart

• Who the 30,000 are and why they hold the key to Kansas's health future

• Kansas's health ranking decline from top-tier to #31 in the nation

• The World Health Organization's definition of health as complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing

• Why broadband access, transportation, and zip codes are health issues

Chapters:

0:48 - Welcome to the Leading Health Podcast

0:56 - Introducing the Hosts and the Book

1:31 - The Vision Behind the Podcast

3:46 - Structure of the Book

4:28 - Conversation Catalysts

6:22 - Capital H Health vs. Lowercase Health

18:19 - The Role of the 30,000

23:11 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Resources Mentioned:

• Leading Health: How You and 30,000 Kansans Help Communities Thrive

https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealth/

Leading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way.

Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealth

And be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.