Executive leadership

Steve Reintjes Sr., MD

President, Chief Executive Officer

Steve became the president and chief executive officer of NKC Health in May 2020.

He is a well-respected neurosurgeon and has been an engaged member of the NKC Health medical staff for 30 years. During that time, Steve has held numerous executive leadership positions, including director of spine surgery and medical staff president.

Steve graduated from Rockhurst High School and Georgetown University. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Kenna Belshe, DO,

Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer & Medical Group Director

Dr. Kenna Belshe focuses on quality improvement initiatives and quality outcomes across our system, including both inpatient and outpatient services.

Prior to becoming CCO, she was a hospitalist with NKC Health for 11 years and served as the medical director for the hospital's Case Management Department. Before joining NKC Health, she practiced internal medicine in Excelsior Springs, MO. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Case Management Association, the Association of Physician Leadership in Case Management, the National Association of Healthcare Quality, the Kansas City Southwest Clinical Society, the Northland Healthcare Access board and the Northwest Area Health Education Centers Advisory Board.

Dr. Belshe earned her medical degree from Kansas City University and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is board-certified in internal medicine.

Dawn Bryant

Vice President, Human Resources

Dawn oversees the Human Resources Department, including recruitment, compensation, benefits and employee relations. Before joining NKC Health in 2015, she was a human resources leader in managed healthcare and two hospital systems. Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in evaluative clinical sciences from Dartmouth College.

Darla Easley

Vice President, Quality and Care Optimization

As Vice President of Quality and Care Optimization, Darla oversees NKC Health’s quality care improvement efforts and outcomes by guiding the hospital through regulatory processes, certifications and ongoing performance improvement. She oversees the Consumer Experience, Case Management, Health Information Management, Infection Prevention and Performance Improvement departments.

Darla joined NKC Health as a graduate nurse and has served in a variety of bedside and leadership roles during her tenure, most recently as the senior director of Case Management and administrator of Orthopedic/Spine co-management. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from Mid-America Nazarene University.

Richard Green

Senior Vice President, NKC Health Medical Group

Rick manages Meritas Health’s provider network and develops strategies for operational growth, which includes continuous quality improvement of patient care, patient safety and patient satisfaction. He has more than 25 years of healthcare management experience. Prior to joining NKC Health, Rick served as director of primary care operations for a multispecialty medical group in Tampa, FL, where he was responsible for 240 primary care providers.

Rick earned a master’s degree in business administration from Bentley University in Waltham, MA.

Kristen Guillaume

Vice President, Chief Digital & Information Officer

With more than 20 years of experience in information services and healthcare technology, Kristen provides oversight and direction for clinical and administrative information technology priorities across our health system, ensuring advancements create value and support our goals. Prior to joining NKC Health in 2018, Kristen held several leadership roles at Cerner and Netsmart. Kristen earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University.

Kerri Jenkins

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Kerri leads the health system’s business operations with more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She constantly strives to develop services that enhance patient care. Before joining NKC Health in 2019, Kerri was the executive VP/COO at SSM-St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, MO; COO at Abrazo West in Goodyear, AZ; and chief nursing officer at Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, TX.

Austin Jones

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Austin oversees our strategic and operational financial services, which includes financial planning and reporting, revenue cycle, managed care contracting, supply chain management, decision support, the employee retirement plan and the health system’s general investments. Before joining NKC Health in 2021, Austin held several financial leadership roles at health systems throughout Texas. His career started in public accounting and he holds a CPA license.

Jennifer Kozinn, JD

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

Jennifer manages all aspects of legal services for NKC Health. In addition, she oversees Compliance, Risk Management and Employee Health. She also frequently works with physicians in matters of contracting and compliance.

Sarah Oakley

Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer

Sarah is responsible for the overall management of Nursing Administration, which includes education, professional development, nursing research, nursing administration and related programs such as Magnet designation. She manages all inpatient units – critical care, medical-surgical, telemetry, rehab and obstetrics. She is also responsible for several outpatient areas including emergency services, trauma, pain management, diabetes, cardiac and pulmonary rehab.

Scott Poague

Vice President, Supply Chain Services

Scott oversees Purchasing, Central Services, Storeroom and Logistics, the Print Shop and Value Analysis. He joined NKC Health in March 2020, bringing more than 30 years of supply chain leadership, value analysis and department transformation experience to the health system. Prior to joining NKC Health, Scott held leadership positions at Truman Medical Center and Mosaic Life Care. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of Colorado.

Nic Riesenberg

Vice President, Facilities

Nic leads Facilities Engineering, Design & Construction, Property Management, Food & Nutrition and Environmental Services. Prior to joining NKC Health in 2019, he held similar leadership positions at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD and at the University of Kansas Health System. Nic serves as a board member on several community organizations supporting the health, education and economic development in the Northland. He earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Iowa State University.

Rob Schlicht

Vice President, Professional Services

Rob leads Pharmacy, Radiology, Rehab Services including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology, as well as Respiratory Care Services, Laboratory and Wound Healing. Prior to joining NKC Health in 2019, Rob gained over 20 years of healthcare management experience working for several healthcare organizations. He earned his master’s degree in physical therapy from Rockhurst University after completing his bachelor’s degree in finance and banking at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Steven Starr, MD, FACC

Chief Medical Officer

Steven manages medical staff operations and contributes to strategic planning and the management of ongoing cost and quality directives. He has been in practice with NKC Health Heart Care since 1994 and was recognized by Ingram’s as one of Kansas City’s top doctors. Dr. Starr is certified in cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine and specializes in diagnostic cardiac catheterization and noninvasive imaging. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Starr earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas where he also completed his residency, internship and fellowship.