KFMC prides itself on working with a diverse group of people who represent all aspects of health care, from clinical to consumer. The KFMC Board of Trustees consists of multiple professional perspectives of health care, providing a dynamic and well-rounded group of thought leaders.
KFMC prides itself on working with a diverse group of people who represent all aspects of health care from clinical to consumer. The KFMC Board of Trustees consists of multiple professional perspectives of health care which provides a dynamic and well-rounded group of thought leaders. Board members include:
Michael D. Apley, DVM, PhD, DACVCP
Olsburg, KS
Dr. Apley is a second generation Kansas veterinarian with experience in a general rural practice and a food animal production medicine/contract research organization practice. His PhD is in physiology with an emphasis on clinical pharmacology, completing credentials for the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology in 1994. Dr. Apley has served on the faculty in the colleges of veterinary medicine at Iowa State University and, most recently, Kansas State University where he remains today as a professor in veterinary clinical sciences, teaching professional students and mentoring graduate students in production medicine and clinical pharmacology. Dr. Apley’s research focuses on antibiotic efficacy and resistance as well as antibiotic use monitoring in food animals, recognizing the challenges of data interoperability and achieving the necessary granularity to support continual improvements in antibiotic stewardship. The component of human behavior related to antibiotic stewardship is also an area of focus. His appreciation for the interaction of animal and human health has been enhanced by involvement in the Presidential Advisory Council for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) for two terms as a voting member and as a member of the Kansas Healthcare Acquired Infection/Antimicrobial Resistance Advisory Group. Dr. Apley has a deep respect for specialty and practitioner organizations, having served as president of the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants.
Kierstin Bittel, CPA
Topeka, KS
Kierstin Bittel, CPA, is a seasoned health care finance leader with more than two decades of experience guiding financial strategy, operational performance, and team development within complex health systems. She currently serves as Finance Manager at Stormont Vail Health, where she oversees a team of analysts supporting budgeting, forecasting, productivity management, and financial planning for more than 350 cost centers across a $1.1‑billion organization. Known for her analytical rigor and collaborative leadership style, she has driven improvements in labor productivity, performance reporting, and long‑range financial modeling. Her earlier career includes audit management and consulting roles with Myers and Stauffer and Wendling, Noe, Nelson & Johnson, where she specialized in Medicaid cost reporting, rate‑setting methodologies, and healthcare provider audits. A graduate of Washburn University and a Kansas CPA, Kierstin is also a mentor and instructor, contributing to leadership development programs and financial management education.
Kate Conrad, LFACHE
Overland Park, KS
Drawing upon 30 years of experience in health administration, Ms. Conrad has broad experience partnering with executives, clinical leaders and board members to improve performance, care and strategic priorities.
As a former executive for an association of children’s hospitals and leader of a federally certified patient safety organization, Ms. Conrad activated clinical and administrative subject matter experts and teams to transform pediatric health care delivery. In these roles she was a national facilitator, presenter, speaker, and content contributor. She has served on several national planning committees and has been published in peer reviewed journals on a variety of topics. Ms. Conrad has a career foundation in strategy at two nationally recognized healthcare management consulting firms and an academic medical center.
Ms. Conrad now serves as Chair for the KFMC Health Improvement Partners Board of Trustees. She is an ACHE 2025 Congress presenter. Ms. Conrad continues mentoring relationships and actively volunteers locally with Lead to Read and Unexpected Blooms.
Ms. Conrad is a Life Fellow in the ACHE. She is the 2011 recipient of the ACHE Senior Healthcare Executive Kansas Regent’s Award for her role in the Local Program Council’s start up. She is the recipient of the 1992 Governance Fellowship Award sponsored by Modern Healthcare and the Governance Institute.
Ms. Conrad holds a Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Health Administration from Washington University.
Stacy Doyle, PhD
Kansas City, MO
Stacy Doyle, PhD, is a senior health care executive with deep expertise in ambulatory operations, emergency and urgent care services, and pediatric hospital management. Most recently, Stacy served as Senior Vice President of Ambulatory and Physician Practice Operations at Children’s Mercy Hospital, where she led systemwide strategies that enhanced access, quality, and operational performance. Her career at Children’s Mercy also included prior roles as Vice President of Ambulatory Services, Senior Administrative Director of Ambulatory Services, and leadership positions in emergency and urgent care. Additionally, she previously held key operational roles at Children’s National Medical Center, including Interim Director of Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center. Dr. Doyle holds a BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University, an MBA from Avila University, and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Krista Eylar
Atchison, KS
Krista Eylar has more than 20 years of nursing experience serving communities throughout northeast Kansas, with a career deeply rooted in her commitment to rural healthcare. She began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in a community hospital, where she developed a strong foundation in patient-centered care that continues to guide her work today. Her diverse clinical background includes experience in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Medical Surgical Nursing, Surgery, Specialty Clinics, Infusion Services, and Utilization Review, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of patient care across the continuum. As her career progressed, Krista expanded both her education and leadership responsibilities, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse Licensure, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare. She has served in key leadership roles including Chief Nursing Officer, Nurse Manager, and Quality and Compliance Manager, and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Kanza Mental Health and Guidance Center. Krista’s areas of expertise include leadership, strategic planning and execution, health care operations, quality and compliance, fiscal management, grant management, workforce development, and organizational culture. She remains dedicated to advancing access, quality, and sustainability in rural health care.
Linda Farrar, BSN, LNH
Fairview, TX
Linda Farrar has dedicated her professional career to providing elders in senior living centers with quality of life and quality of care. Linda received her BSN from The University of Iowa and her post-graduate Licensed Adult Care Home Administrator education from Kansas University. Linda has served in the roles of administrator, Executive Director, Executive Management and Chief Operating Officer. In July, 2011, Linda retired from her full-time position to enable her the time to enhance her work with elders in a consulting role. During her career, Linda’s passion has been person-centered/person-directed care. Linda believes that through education of staff, primarily direct-care staff, facilities can provide both quality of care and thus remain regulatorily compliant AND provide quality of life, providing enhanced, personal experiences for elders served. Linda has facilitated two different facilities in winning the PEAK Award on 4 different occasions since 2002. Linda has spoken at the national Pioneer Network annual meeting about implementing universal workers in a long term care setting. Linda is a Kansas-approved Certified Activity Director instructor, and a certified ELNEC (End of Life Nursing Education Consortium). In the recent past, Linda has presented webinars for Kansas Health Care Association, Missouri Health Care Association and the Nebraska Health Care Association on the Rules of Participation. Linda’s passion is the provision of caring, compassionate care for elders residing in long term care facilities.
Thomas A. Hintz, CPA, CPMA, PFS
(Non-voting Ex Officio Member)
Manhattan, KS
Mr. Hintz has more than 40 years of experience in auditing, tax and business consulting. He is currently involved in several organizations and boards in the Manhattan community.
Marianne Hudgins, MD
Olathe, KS
Marianne Hudgins, MD, practiced primary care medicine for eighteen years at Kansas City Internal Medicine before transitioning into an administrative role as Quality Director at an independent family practice clinic. Throughout her career, she served as a physician leader, guiding her practice through the transition to electronic medical records and later through successful participation in quality improvement initiatives, including earning Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition. She also led each practice’s involvement in several CMS pilot programs aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing costs. Additionally, she has served as a consultant to companies and organizations that provide resources directly impacting quality patient care.
Robert Huebner, PhD
Liberty, MO
Dr. Huebner is an experienced biotechnology program manager with over thirty years of research experience with viral and microbiological pathogens and expertise in the vaccine industry, group management, and program management. Throughout his career, he has worked for a variety of organizations, large pharma companies, government agencies, and a contract research organization, holding positions of increasing responsibility at each. At the Latham BioPharm Group (LBG), he supports both commercial and US Government funded programs as a subject matter expert on biopharmaceutical development, analytics and program management. He also leads efforts to help clients win and secure non-dilutive US Government funding. Prior to joining LBG, Dr. Huebner worked at the Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services where he held several positions including Acting Director of the Influenza Division, Deputy Director and Chief of Universal Influenza Vaccine Development. While serving as Acting Director, he was responsible for over 50 programs valued in excess of $5 billion. His tenure in this position was highlighted by the licensure of three new types of influenza vaccines, and approval of a new near patient diagnostic platform for influenza and RSV. Prior to BARDA, working at MRIGlobal, Dr. Huebner grew the client base for the biotechnology section he managed, bringing in projects from US Government and industrial clients to work on vaccines, detection methods and destruction methods for bacterial and viral pathogen. Dr. Huebner started his career as a bench scientist and group leader at Sanofi Pasteur working on applied research to develop new and improved vaccines against Lyme disease, influenza, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, malaria and pneumococcal disease. Dr. Huebner received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from Tufts University in Boston, MA and a B.S. in Biology from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Sarah Irsik–Good, MHA, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Sarah leverages nearly two decades of experience in the health care delivery system, furthering KFMC’s mission and bringing extensive experience in regulatory compliance, performance improvement, and operational leadership to her role. Sarah has worked in almost every health care delivery setting, including acute care (both PPS and CAH), long term care, behavioral health, and ambulatory care. Prior to her appointment as CEO, Sarah served as Director of Quality Improvement and then Vice President for KFMC, providing technical direction and operational leadership for the Medicare quality improvement work across Kansas.
Deborah Frye Stern, RN, JD
Topeka, KS
Ms. Stern is a registered nurse and an attorney who recently retired from the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) where she served as senior vice president of clinical services, general counsel and corporate compliance officer. In her role, she assisted hospitals with clinical and regulatory issues and oversaw all legal services for the association and its family of corporations. Prior to joining KHA, she was an attorney at the Alderson Law Firm and worked at Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center in the areas of nurse recruitment, home health, peer review, Joint Commission accreditation and nursing quality improvement. She holds degrees in nursing and psychology, is a 1998 graduate of the Washburn University School of Law and is past president of the Women Attorneys Association of Topeka. Ms. Stern is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to Kansas in 1977 to work as a registered nurse at the Menninger Foundation.
Jason Tiller, CHES
Chapman, KS
Jason Tiller brings a wealth of experience when speaking on strategic planning, community connection, and leadership empowerment. With 20 years of service as a Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army, where he provided critical trauma care in high-stakes environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan, Jason honed his skills in leadership and strategic decision-making under pressure. After retiring from military service, he seamlessly transitioned into public health, quickly rising from Health Educator to Director of the Saline County Health Department and the County Health Officer. His roles have allowed him to build and lead public health initiatives, focusing on capacity-building and regional collaboration. As the Chair of the North Central Health Care Coalition and Past-President of the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, Jason has demonstrated his ability to connect with communities, empower leaders, and strategically guide health organizations to achieve impactful outcomes. His academic background, including a master’s in health education and a bachelor’s in public health, further complements his practical experience, making him a well-rounded and insightful educator on these critical topics. He is grounded in a life of service with his wife of 25 years, his four adult children and four grandchildren.