Bothwell Regional Health Center CEO John Dawes Receives Missouri Hospital Association’s Visionary Leadership Award

Bothwell Regional Health Center President and Chief Executive Officer John Dawes has been awarded the Missouri Hospital Association’s Visionary Leadership Award for 2015. The award was presented Thursday, Nov. 5, during a dinner ceremony at MHA’s 93nd Annual Convention & Trade Show at Lake of the Ozarks. 

Dawes was honored for his leadership and commitment to local, regional and statewide improvement in hospital quality and patient safety.

“John was one of the first hospital leaders in the state to engage with MHA on how we could work as a community to improve the delivery of care,” said Herb B. Kuhn, MHA president and CEO. “He understands the connection between the hospital and community health, and has shared his passion for quality with leaders throughout the state.”

Since Dawes’ arrival at Bothwell Regional Health Center 13 years ago, he has guided the organization’s growth and strengthened the link between the hospital and the community. During his time here, Bothwell has opened the Bothwell Diagnostic Center, Bothwell Health Center-Truman Lake, Bothwell Sleep Center, Bothwell Healing Arts Center (with multiple physician practices), the Canon Center for Cancer & Cardiovascular Care and the Bothwell Wound Healing Center. To better prepare for the changes occurring in health care, Bothwell also joined five other acute care hospitals to form the Health Network of Missouri.

Dawes has received statewide recognition as a strong advocate for Medicaid expansion. He also has received numerous honors and awards such as the Distinguished Community Service and Devotion Award from Sedalia’s Student Leadership Council, the American College of Health Care Executives Regent’s Award for Senior Executives, and the American Hospital Association's Most Valuable PAC Player and Grassroots Champion Award. Dawes received his bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Wichita State University and his master's in health care administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He has more than 30 years of experience in health-care administration.

Col. Peter Nielsen, Commander of General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital at Fort Leonard Wood, also received an MHA Visionary Leadership Award his commitment to protecting the safety of the community and for organizing preparedness activities during the Ebola crisis in 2015.

(Courtesy of Bothwell Regional Health Center Marketing Department)