KVC Health Systems, a national leader in behavioral healthcare and child welfare, welcomes Rita Holmes-Bobo to the newly-created position of Executive Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this role, Holmes-Bobo will champion the inclusion of diverse individuals among KVC’s nearly 1,500 employees in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky and West Virginia and in its services to children, adults and families.

KVC Health Systems serves people from a wide variety of backgrounds by providing in-home family support, behavioral healthcare, foster care, adoption, youth substance abuse treatment, and psychiatric hospitals. Through this new diversity office, KVC Health Systems has strengthened its commitment to its core value – “people matter” – by ensuring that all staff, clients and beyond are respected, included in decision-making processes, and treated fairly.

“We’ve always embraced diversity and the privilege of serving diverse families in communities across the U.S.,” said Jason Hooper, President and CEO. “This marks a new level of commitment to our values of diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m excited for Rita to help our leaders and staff live out these values and experience the rich collaboration, creativity and innovation that come from making sure everyone has a seat at the table.”

In addition to this role, Holmes-Bobo remains President of Niles Home for Children which recently became part of KVC Health Systems. Niles Home for Children has been a treasured part of the Kansas City, Missouri community for 133 years. The organization provides residential and day treatment behavioral health programs for children and adolescents. Niles joined KVC Health Systems in order to enhance Niles’ quality of services and ensure its sustainability for years to come. Read more about the partnership here.

Prior to leading Niles, Holmes-Bobo served as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for Ameren Missouri. She also served as a Vice President in Fleishman-Hillard’s healthcare practice group and as a key member of the public affairs team for Express Scripts. She has worked for the American Cancer Society, the former Regional Medical Center, and managed communications for the largest school district in Missouri.

Holmes-Bobo is a University of Kansas alumnae (with an MBA and bachelor of science degree in business administration) and has served as a guest lecturer for classes in the business school and honors program. She currently serves on the KU School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board; as board chair of the Second Chance Program, a re-entry program for formerly incarcerated individuals; and as board chair of the KU Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity. She also serves on the boards of the Kansas City Crime Commission and the Missouri Coalition of Children’s Agencies (MCCA).

KVC Health Systems and its subsidiaries are currently seeking talented applicants from diverse backgrounds for dozens of meaningful career opportunities. Learn more at www.kvc.org/careers.

About KVC Health Systems, Inc.
KVC Health Systems, headquartered in the greater Kansas City area, is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to enriching and enhancing the lives of children and families by providing medical and behavioral healthcare, social services, and education. KVC’s diverse continuum of services includes in-home family support, foster care, adoption, behavioral healthcare, and children’s psychiatric hospitals. In its 47-year history, KVC has grown from a single Kansas home for boys to a national organization touching over 60,000 people’s lives each year in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky and West Virginia and providing training and consultation internationally. KVC is accredited by The Joint Commission, considered the gold standard in healthcare. Learn more at www.kvc.org.