After an extensive candidate search, the Great Plains Health Care Foundation Board of Trustees has appointed Kathy Bourque as the new executive director.
“We are excited to have someone of Kathy’s caliber carry on the work of the Foundation and grow it throughout the region we serve,” said Leland Poppe, Great Plains Health Care Foundation chairman.
The mission of the Great Plains Health Care Foundation is to inspire philanthropy that will enhance the quality and availability of healthcare services for the patients and communities served
by Great Plains Health. In 2017, Foundation donors made direct contributions to patient care totaling more than $550,000 among 23 specific projects. In addition, Foundation donors contributed $8.5 million toward the expansion of the Great Plains Health emergency department, a project that is currently under construction.
“Since the Foundation’s formation in 1992, donors have dedicated a tremendous amount of time and dollars advancing the health of our community,” said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “Kathy’s leadership skills and passion for serving the patients of our region will be an excellent fit as the Foundation Board continues its mission.”
Prior to accepting the position of Foundation executive director, Bourque served as
Great Plains Health’s senior director of patient experience. She is a former Great Plains Health Board member and chairman and a former Great Plains Health Care Foundation Board member.
Bourque holds a bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University.
“The Foundation is where my passion lies because it is about making the patient experience better,” said Bourque. “My husband and I have been supporters of the Foundation for more than 10 years. We realize the difference that GPHealth makes in our region every single day.”
Bourque will begin in her new role on July 16. She follows Libby Lashley, who stepped down from the position to become a business owner in North Platte.