Qiana Thomason to lead Health Forward Foundation; 'Blessed to serve the safety net system that once served me'

Qiana Thomason, a life-long Kansas Citian dedicated to the improvement of health and wellness across the region, will serve as the next president and CEO of the Health Forward Foundation.

The foundation’s Board of Directors chose Thomason, praising her life’s work and her special focus on communities with significant health disparities. Thomason will begin her duties January 21, 2020 to lead the foundation that LINC was instrumental in forming 17 years ago.

Thomason comes to Health Forward from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), where she most recently served as vice president for community health and health equity. During that time, she spearheaded development of new care delivery and payment models in partnership with health care providers throughout Kansas City and has been a champion for the inclusion of health equity and the social determinants of health in corporate strategy.

Prior to her tenure at Blue KC, Thomason worked at Swope Health as the director of clinical operations and behavioral health and served as program manager of the Mental Health Court in Jackson County. She also served as deputy director and health and human services liaison for U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan.

“We are honored to have someone with the background, experience and vision that Qiana brings to lead Health Forward as the next President/CEO,” said Marshaun Butler, chair of the Health Forward board of directors.

“In addition to her compassion and commitment to the mission of Health Forward, Qiana brings a deep understanding of our community. She has experienced, firsthand, the complex socioeconomic and environmental challenges of the uninsured. Her expertise in health care payment, delivery and policy, combined with her value of equity and commitment to a holistic approach to creating access to care, uniquely positions her to lead Health Forward into our next chapter.”

Thomason said she is eager to take on her role and feels uniquely prepared.

“I am blessed to once again serve the safety net system that once served me,” she said. “I’m confident that everything in my career and the foundations of my personal journey have not only led me to this opportunity but equipped and prepared me to lead Health Forward Foundation as President and CEO. I’m excited to partner with the stakeholders in our service area and eager to catalyze cross-sector partnerships that improve health for those most in need.”

LINC set in motion the community conversations and negotiations that created the foundation — originally named the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

The foundation, along with the REACH Healthcare Foundation that serves residents of Kansas, were created through the sale of the non-profit Health Midwest to the for-profit HCA, the nation’s largest hospital system.

LINC’s leadership took the issue to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office which, in collaboration with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, created the foundations to grow and distribute proceeds from $1.2 billion sale into the community.

Thomason now takes charge of Health Forward, which awards $20 million annually to grantees and community partners in a six-county service area.

Thomason currently serves on the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Health Commission, is a board trustee for William Jewell College and is a board member of ArtsKC. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University and has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas.

Health Forward conducted a nationwide search to replace Bridget McCandless, who led Health Forward from September 2013 until her retirement in October 2019. The search committee was chaired by Jim Pryde, Vice Chair, with the assistance of the executive search firm WittKieffer. Chief Financial Officer Rick Zimmer is currently serving as Interim President/CEO.