At KVC, we want every child and adult to be safe & connected to a strong family and a healthy community. We’re proud to be a leader in innovative, effective and compassionate care.
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We also provide consultation and training through the KVC Institute. Learn more about our software and technology.
KVC Hero Award and Partner Awards
Each October, KVC Health Systems hosts its Annual Celebration to thank partners and supporters and to commemorate a year of positive impact in the lives of children and families. The special event includes presentation of KVC Values-Driven Partner Awards to individuals and organizations who demonstrate KVC’s closely-held values of helping people, showing authenticity and compassion, nurturing family connection, collaborating, innovating, and expanding diversity and inclusion. The event culminates with the presentation of the KVC Hero Award. Learn more about past recipients below.
Our 2023 Annual Celebration will take place on Thursday, October 19 at KVC’s Ball Event Center in Olathe, Kansas and online.
KVC Hero Award Winners
The KVC Hero Award is presented each year to an individual, couple or organization who has made a tremendous difference in KVC Health Systems’ evolution and in the lives of children and families. KVC extends its deepest respect and thanks to these heroes throughout our past:
Latest Award Recipients
2023 – Malachi “Chi” Coleman and family (read more)
2022 – The Murphy Family of Overland Park, Kansas (read more)
2021 – Dr. Anh Vinh & KVC’s essential frontline team members nationwide (read more)
2020 – Sesame Workshop and Lynn Kaufman (read more)
2010s
2019 – Jill Docking, Marc Bennett & Patrick Goebel, HOPE LIVES Campaign Chairs (read more)
2018 – Kansas City, MO Mayor Sly James and Garmin International (read more)
2017 – Anne Roberts, KVC’s Chief Operations Officer for 35 years (read more)
2016 – Susan Dreyfus, The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities (read more)
2015 – Bob Regnier, Bank of Blue Valley (read more)
2014 – Brenda Donald, Washington, D.C. Child and Family Services Agency (read more)
2013 – Patrick McCarthy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation (read more)
2012 – Dr. Glenn Saxe, New York University
2011 – Will Scott and Bob Scott, Kinder Porter Scott Family Foundation
2000s
Jeff Wolfe and Cindy Tucci – Jay Wolfe Automotive
Steve Roling – Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Tom Ryan – Prime Health Foundation
Barbara Atkinson, M.D.
Representative Dennis Moore
Gene Balloun
Dr. Jim Hinson – Independence School District
Doering Family
Janene Ervin
Commissioner Patricia Wilson
Bonnie and Jerry Kelly
B. Wayne Sims
1990s
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department
Governor Bill Graves
Secretary Rochelle Chronister
Senator Pat Roberts
Dunn Family
Larry and Linda Kaminsky
Marianne Aitken
The Honorable Daniel Cahill, The Honorable Daniel Mitchell, The Honorable Kathleen Sloan, Honorable Jean Shepherd
1980s
Mayor Jack Reardon
Sue and Dick Bond
Senator Nancy Kassebaum
Senator Robert Dole
Pete Pomerenke
Gary Grable
Asner Family
John H. Conway, Jr. – J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation
Tom & Connie Mullinix
Laura McKnight – Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
Sunderland Family
Joni and Thornton Cooke
Joe Fahey
1970s
Ellen McCarthy
The Ball Family
Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties
Hall Family Foundation
Terry Showalter
Betty Crooker
You Can Be a Hero, Too! Become an Everyday Hero
At KVC, we have the honor of working with Everyday Heroes.
We realize it takes a special calling to become a foster parent, to adopt a child, or to care for a child with mental health challenges. Nevertheless, many of us would still like to reach out to these children and the families who step forward to care for them.
You can be an Everyday Hero, too. KVC’s Everyday Heroes monthly giving program supports children and families by increasing available resources and services. This could be anything from piano lessons for a grade-schooler, to board games and books for children in residential treatment at our psychiatric hospitals, to special medical equipment. The money will be used for mental health counseling, adoption services, tutoring, summer camp, after-school activities, orthodontic care and so much more.
When you become an Everyday Hero, you will be giving your love, support and care to children and families. Enrollment is simple. Just go to http://everydayheroes.kvc.org or call 913.322.4941 for more information.
KVC Values-Driven Partner Award Winners
Award 1: The heart of our work is helping people.
KMBC 9 in Kansas City (2023)
William & Linda Jeffery (2022)
Ticket to Dream Foundation (2021)
Aaron Thakker (2020)
Centurions Leadership Program, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (2019)
Westside Family Church (2018)
Award 2: Our character is built on authenticity and compassion.
Cheryl Rathbun, Saint Francis Ministries (2023)
Walt Hill, High Plains Mental Health Center (2023)
Zackary Young and the Providence YMCA (2022)
Vivid Home Group (2021)
Kevin Campbell (2020)
Bob Noone and Beth Hughes Noone (2019)
Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (2018)
Award 3: Family connection drives our culture.
Providence Montessori School (2023)
Advisors Excel (2022)
Jonathan & Katie Stahl and Bobbie & Corey Friedemann, foster families (2021)
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Academy for Child and Family Well Being (2020)
Min. Nina Shaw-Woody, Kansas Family Advisory Network (2019)
Ashley and Sean Grippando (2018)
Award 4: Collaboration fuels our improvement.
Dr. Dianna Phillips, Fairmont State University (2023)
Kerrie Tyndall, Assistant City Manager, City of Kansas City, MO (2022)
FFTA West Virginia Chapter (2021)
Kellie Hans Reid and Aetna Better Health of Kansas (2020)
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare (2019)
Kansas Legislature’s Child Welfare System Task Force (2018)
Award 5: Urgency and innovation mark our approach.
Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Robert & Patricia Schmidt Foundation, and Patterson Family Foundation (2023)
Louisville Marine Toys for Tots (2022)
Children’s Alliance of Kentucky (2021)
Mike Poppe and Chuck Ikner, Sleep Outfitters (2020)
Dr. Chizimuzo Okoli, The University of Kentucky College of Nursing (2019)
Bill Wood, Chair of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and partner at Foulston Siefkin, LLP (2018)
Award 6: Diverse perspectives are key to our progress.
St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (2023)
Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County (2023)
Boone County Children’s Services Fund (2023)
Aetna Better Health of West Virginia (2022)
Joni Cooke (2021)
Robyn Lambert and Church of the Resurrection West (2020)
Kelly Simms, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (2019)
Stacie Prosser, Kansas City Business Journal (2018)